REVIEWS. 
373 
THE SOURCE OF THE NILE.* 
I T may be said, as a rule, that books of travel do not contain matter in 
proportion to tlieir bulk. The work which Captain Speke has presented 
to the public cannot be regarded as an exception to this general statement. 
It is a very large book, so large that its price alone would prevent its ever 
attaining a place in the libraries of ordinary readers of this class of litera- 
ture. The text extends over nearly six hundred pages, and we are cer- 
tainly of opinion that the author might have given us all the information it 
contains in at least one-third of the space. In regard, however, to its 
mere mechanical qualities, too much praise cannot be bestowed on the 
publishers, who have sent out a volume exquisitely and profusely illus- 
trated, and which in point of type is one of the best executed examples we 
have seen for some time. 
The author’s object has evidently been to produce a popular work, and 
this object we think he has achieved with tolerable success. We fancy, 
nevertheless, that had science been introduced in certain portions, this 
“ Journal” would have lost none of its merits as a readable production, 
while it would have gained, as a book of reference, some considerable repu- 
tation. No doubt there are many who will think that the various appen- 
dices, containing lists of plants, &c., are sufficient to fill the gap we have 
alluded to, but it must be borne in mind that these are the work of Captain 
Grant, and not of the author of the present volume, and that however 
valuable “ cut-and-dry” lists may be to the specialist, they are absolutely 
worthless to the amateur. We do not wish to be considered hyper- 
critical, but when we find a voluminous essay upon the character of a 
newly explored country devoid of accurate information concerning the 
geology, botany, and zoology of the regions investigated (?), we should 
not be acting conscientiously were we to make no comment upon such omis- 
sions. It cannot be denied that the work is of an interesting character, 
and that the information conveyed by it is both instructive and novel. On 
the other hand, the style is far from being what it ought to be. Captain 
Speke’s observations appear in many instances to have been very hastily 
made, and his conclusions are in some cases far from being logical. Let 
us justify these assertions. The passage we select as an example of the 
peculiar phraseology adopted in several cases by the author, alludes to a 
rather animated discussion between one of his domestics and himself. 
“ Foaming and roaring with rage, Bombay said he would not stand being 
thus insulted. I then gave him a dig on the head with mg fist. He squared 
up and pouted like an enraged chameleon, looking savagely at me. I gave 
him another dig , which sent him staggering. He squared again ; I gave 
him another ; till at last, as the claret was flowing, he sulked off.” * * * 
“ But Bombay showing his nozzle rather flatter than usual,” &c. We must 
confess that, apart from these little friendly communications between master 
* “Journal of the Discovery of the Source of the Nile.” By John 
Hanning Speke, Captain H.M. Indian Army, &c. London : Blackwood 
& Sons. 1863. 
VOL. III. — NO. XI. 2 C 
