22 4i Dr Brown m the Cm're^ondence between Mr Park 
on the course of the Niger, as being the likeliest means of af- 
fording a ready and safe communication with the different 
states ; its extent and geographical situation becomes a matter 
of much interest, whether it issues by the Congo, or has some 
other outlet. But it may be proper to state, that since my 
letters to Mr Park, I have been informed by a friend, that 
when he was on the coast he purchased a few slaves at Lagos, 
who could write Arabic, and who told him that they had come 
the whole of the way from their own country to Lagos by water, 
— fact which certainly merits consideration. As a pedestrian, 
then, and Mr Park’s unaffected narrative warrants it, I would 
strictly adhere to simplicity, if not poverty of appearance, hav- 
ing neither horse nor servant. Of course, I could possess little 
to excite their avarice, or give occasion to plunder or violence ; 
whilst my defenceless, destitute situation, would, as he expe- 
rienced, be sure to call forth their sympathy and compassion. 
Indeed, I have little doubt, that the self-same savage, who 
might be tempted to rob or murder me for a few glass beads or 
buttons, would, if no such allurements existed, open his hut to 
receive me, and share with me his vegetable meal. For instances in 
support of this, we need only advert to the genuine hospitality and 
kindness which Mr Park experienced in his utmost need from 
the tender-hearted woman, who, with her maidens, prepared his 
supper and sung him to rest in a stormy night ; and the good old 
Dooty, indignantly tossing his arm when he heard of the inhuman 
outrage committed on Bambarra’s stranger, — who recovered his 
hoi'se, without whicli he could not have reached Kamalia, where 
honest Karfa, like a ministering angel, lighted up his nearly ex- 
tinguished spark of life, and filled his fancy with a train of bright 
ideas. Such precious instances of glowing philanthropy cannot 
be surpassed by Europeans, and may serve as a sample of what 
the western Ethiopians were as a people 3000 years ago, when 
the gods of the Greeks held their annual festival of twelve days 
with that innocent and virtuous race. Alas ! how^ ^yidely diffe- 
rent is their lot in the scale of humanity now', to what it w'as 
when they drew forth such general admiration and praise. — 
Having already swelled this beyond all moderate bounds, I 
shall not offer any recapitulation, but you will observe, that I 
calculate upon the ultimate and sure success of these researches. 
