THE NASAMONES DISCOVER THE NIGER. 
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vague and even so questionable. Nevertheless, the 
reviving curiosity of the middle and subsequent ages 
has given these early travellers credit for having 
reached the Niger. With regard to the “ great city” 
on its banks, speculation can have no clue, since the 
lapse of ages may have witnessed the destruction of 
many rnud-built cities on its banks, prior to the erection 
of Timbuktuh; which Leo Africanus says, was in the 
year 610 of the Hegira. 
Thus, a single passage of the Greek historian has 
directed the researches of travellers in Africa to one 
principal object. As usual with all things difficult of 
attainment, this interest has increased in proportion to 
the physical obstacles which seemed to be almost insur- 
mountable ; and the failure of one adventurer has only 
had the effect of stimulating others ; who flattered 
themselves that circumstances might be more favourable 
to their energy and perseverance. 
Uncertain glimmerings of light on the subject have 
been handed down to us from the ancients, and through 
the middle ages ; hut until within a century of our own 
times, the knowledge of the interior of Africa has 
remained almost as vague as it was left by the 
“ petulant Nasamonians.” There is, however, even in 
their slight allusion, a degree of romance which has 
tinctured all subsequent enterprises; and that short 
passage of Herodotus may be said to shadow forth the 
difficulties which would attend those who should follow 
and attempt to verify their discoveries. 
