48 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
who wears it is every moment obliged to tuck it up and 
rearrange it. This shows the great use there is of a 
girdle whenever men are in active employment, and 
explains the force of the Scripture injunction of having 
our loins girded. The method of wearing this garment, 
with the use it is at other times put to as bed-covering, 
makes it probable that it is similar to if not identical 
with the peplus of the ancients. It is likewise probable 
that the loose garment flung over the shoulder, the toga 
of the Romans, was of this kind, as the drapery of 
statues is arranged very much in the same manner as 
the Arab liyke.” 
It is unnecessary to linger over this work, which 
has little interest for us. We shall do better to turn 
our attention to the journey of Frederic Conrad Horne- 
man to Fezzan. 
This young German offered his services to the 
African Society of London, and, having satisfied the 
authorities of his knowledge of medicine and acquaint¬ 
ance with the Arabic language, he was engaged, and 
furnished with letters of introduction, safe-conducts, and 
unlimited credit. 
Leaving London in July, 1797, he went first to 
Paris. Lalande introduced him to the Institute, and 
presented him with his 4 Memoire sur lAfrique,' and 
Broussonet gave him an introduction to a Turk from 
whom he obtained letters of recommendation to certain 
Cairo merchants who carried on business in the interior 
of Africa. 
During his stay at Cairo, Horneman devoted him¬ 
self to perfecting his knowledge of Arabic, and studying 
the manners and customs of the natives. We must not 
omit to mention that the traveller had been presented 
by Monge and Berthollet to Napoleon Buonaparte, who 
was then in command of the French forces in Egypt. 
From him he received a cordial welcome, and Buonaparte 
placed all the resources of the country at his service. 
As the safer method of travelling, Horneman re¬ 
solved to disguise himself as a Mohammedan merchant. 
He quickly learned a few prayers, and adopted a style 
