and Mr Maxwell respecting' the Congo and the Niger, 211 
companions, seeing their fate to be inevitable, embraced each 
other, and plunged into the Niger, where they perished.” It 
is added, that the canoe itself overset, and all his property, 
memorandums and papers were lost.” It will be some gratifi- 
cation, perhaps, to be informed, that whilst Government in- 
sured him of a handsome provision in the event of his return, 
it was also stipulated, that in consequence of his death, his 
widow should receive a suitable annuity, and that, in order to 
fulfil this engagement, L. 3236, 10s. were voted by Parlia- 
ment, 2d April 1808. 
Here I might allow tlie matter to rest ; but as the route which 
Mr Park took has been so disastrous, and as, at some future 
period, the suggestion of Mr Keir may perhaps be acted upon, 
I shall add some observations which Mr Maxwell was pleased 
to communicate along with the correspondence ; and which, 
from his intimate acquaintance with the African climate and 
character, certainly deserve attention. I cannot think,” says 
he, “ of closing the subject, without offering a few remarks on 
the line of conduct pursued by the African Association, on Mr 
Park’s second attempt to explore the course of the Niger by the 
same route in which he suffered such variety of hardship and 
distress a few years before. One would have supposed, that if 
the course of the Niger, with its towns, population, trade, &c. 
had been the ultimate object of their researches, nothing new 
could have been looked for on that head, as far as Silla ; and as 
for traffic, they could not reasonably expect' that an adventu- 
rous Briton or two, pursuing the track of their cofiles, across 
1000 miles of wilderness once a year, would do away the ex- 
pence, toils, and dangers of the journey, ov cause the trade to 
flow in greater abundance to the sea coast, than it had done for 
centuries before, unless the natives found their advantage in it ; 
that is, found a better market there than they do at present, or 
with the Moors to the northward. His interesting narrative 
leaving the reader’s mind so completely satisfied of his veracity, 
we cannot but wonder at his rashness in again exposing himself 
to such imminent perils, — increased, too, in proportion to the 
number of his followers ; and lament that it should have been 
the occasion of depriving the nation of one so admirably calcu-, 
lated for prosecuting that hazardous enterprise And especial-? 
