Great Mortality through Famine. 405 tliousaud per cent, is now obliged to furnish himself u'itli sutep porridge at two piastres the spoonful, and it needs at least fifty spoonfuls, not to satisfy him, but to keep him barely alive.

I have expended all my strength in persuading the people to work, but in vain ; I spoke to bodies without souls. The fresh bar in front has so demoralized them, so depressed them, that all my efforts are without effect.

Here we are, after all the hopes we nourished 3esterday, in precisely the same condition as before, overwhelmed with the same sad and desolating apprehensions.

What could I say, and what remained for me to do with these cowardly men ? A thousand thoughts preoccupy my poor imagination ! There is no way open to me unless to take the boat and trust to fortune. But what would be said if I were to abandon my post ? I should be a mark for slander ; should be dishonoured in every way. Better perish with the others than abandon them to certain death.

I leave this letter in my cabin, directed to Consul Hansal. If it should providentially reach him, at least the causes of our disaster Avill be known in Italy. All my collection of living animals, including a black monkey and an Abu merkup {Bakeniceps rex), which I believe would be the only living example in Europe, and all of which were destined for Marquis Doria in Genoa, have been devoured by the soldiers. I have nothing left but a few ethnographic objects which I intended for the Geographical Society, and a few scientific instruments which that Society lent to me.

Would that fortune might again smile on us ! It is possible that our departure via Shakka has been reported from Bahr-el-Ghazal and that they have thought at Khartoum of sending us assistance.