69 LETTER V.

FROM MR. WILLIS TO MR. JACKSON.

My dear Sir, 1 HAVE this moment received your favour, dated yesterday, and am extremely sorry I had not the pleasure of seeing you before your departure. We might have taken a farewell dinner together. You will most highly oblige me by communicating to me all the intelligence you can collect concerning the interior of Africa, more especially of Timbuctoo ; its trade, government, geographical situation, and the manners and customs of its inhabitants. If you could send me too, any of its products or manufactures, which may appear to you curious or interesting, or may serve to shew the state of knowledge and civilisation in the country, and the progress they may have made in the arts, in manufactures or commerce, you will confer upon me a singular favour ; the expence of which I will readily repay, and which I shall be happy to return whenever I can be of use to you.

If ever this region of Africa, which excites so strongly our curiosity, should be laid open to us, you are, of all the men with whom I am acquainted, th€ best qualified, and the most likely to lead the way to this important discovery, I request you to favour me with your correspondence ; let me hear from you as frequently F 3