The Riches of Bahr-el-Gharsal.

341 " One of the principal difficulties is the transport, but even this can be overcome. The river AVau, or Jur, is navigable. I lately had a boat built at Wau, of forty tons burden, -hich I loaded with seven hundred and nine elephant tusks, and the boat reached Meshra-el-Rek without difficulty. To send the above quantity of ivory by land I should have had to employ more than a thousand porters, and it is useless to say what a relief to the natives Avould be the suppression of such fatiguing transport.

" When I have time I will go into greater particulars. I have begun a topographical map of Bahr-el-Ghazal, which will be sent to our Greographical Society. The great number of rivers and torrents prevent me from finishing it as soon as I should like, having to follow them from source to mouth.

" I have recommended Mr. Wilson, when he arrives in Rome, to visit the Geographical Society there and also at Milan. I am sure that he will give you some very precious notes about the countries he has travelled in.

" 4th December, 1879.

" The English missionaries are astonished at what I have been able to accomplish, and I am well content that they came this way, because they can describe vha voce in England the results obtained by an Italian, not only against slavery, but also in developing commerce and agriculture.

" I have already written about the caoutchouc, which I am collecting on my own account. I have more than four hundred boys employed in doing so.

" As to the silk, I will not send you any of what I have, because it has been used as a pillow. When new silk arrives I will send you a sample. I have had no news for a long time and feel much discouraged.