342 Seven Years in tJie Soitdan.

I liave written to you Avlienever I could, I do not know wliat Grordon is doing in Abyssinia, nor why lie went there. I presume that new complications have arisen, and that he has gone to calm the warlike humour of King John. I should like to go to Khartoum, but I cannot do so until I have sent away all the Arabs in these localities. You may imagine how they hate me, but I have succeeded in making them obey me ; I keep up the state of siege, and in consequence all crimes are judged by courtmartial.

• " What millions have been thrown away on purely scientific expeditions ! The Abbe Debaize has committed unpardonable errors. It is said here that he attacked a caravan of ivory and slaves. As he jiossessed magnificent fire-arms perhaps he believed that he could march in a military manner through Africa. But, being abandoned by all his people, his life must be in danger if he has not already been killed. The Jesuit missionaries from Algiers are with Mtesa. suffering from hunger and in a miserable condition. Mtesa does not look favourabh' upon them, because they brought him presents of no value. Miramba has taken possession of part of the material of the Belgian expedition, and attacked Broyon, depriving him of all the merchandise sent from Europe, As to the Church Mission, its defeat is complete. The African chiefs in Uganda, now the possessors of a great quantity of guns and ammunition, can oifer such resistance that we shall not be always able to oppose them, " R. Gessi," " Jur Gattas, " 19th December, 187<).

" To the Editor of the EsjjJoratore.

" I profit by the arrival of a steamer that has at last forced its way to Meshra-el-Rek, to acknow-