TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
dered on the Red and Mediterranean feas, the Romans con- 
hdered the other parts of this continent as a barren and ufelefs 
waftcj the pofTeffion of which could not increafe their glory; 
and they, therefore, willingly left it in its original obfcurity. 
Nor did the arms and arts of the vidorious Arabians fpread 
conqueft and knowledge beyond the limits marked by the 
former conquerors of this country, which, from north to 
fouth, extended very little farther than fix degrees, or three 
hundred and lixty miles. Even fo late as the lixteenth cen¬ 
tury, John Leo appears to have known fcarcely more than 
one half of this fe£tion of the globe. Of the remainder, much 
has been lince that time difcovered, and much Rill remains 
imexplored, 
Thofe obje8:s which ambition has in many inftances over¬ 
looked, or left unattempted, the no lefs aftive fpirit of 
mduftry has adverted to, and attained. This has been in fome 
meafure the cafe with refpe£t to Africa, but in a very con¬ 
fined degree. The hope of gain, which has led the fons of 
Europe to traverfe vaR oceans in fearch of diRant, and fome- 
times imaginary territories, has, in this part of the world, 
confined its operations to the coaR, and the adjacent country. 
The gold duR, which rolls from the mountains, the ivory, 
and above all, the devoted vidims of tyranny and avarice,* 
have tempted the enterprifing mariner frequently to revifit 
fome part of its fliores. But here his curiofity, or his defire 
of gain, have been fatisfied, or at leaR were not fufiEciently 
powerful to tempt him to explore a country where his profits 
were uncertain, and his fatigue and dangers unavoidable ; and 
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