PREFACE. IX African population. The sceptic in religion, and the would-be renovator of politics, may think differently on this subject ; but every rational individual must feel that British life, British talent, and British treasure, would not be employed in such a quarter if there were not every wish to benefit and improve the condition of our degraded fellow creatures.

In undertaking this mission I was not employed to create a fabulous history, or describe romantic scenery ; I was employed to glean and collect facts ; to effect discovery when it was possible y to note down nothing which might not lead to some useful result ; and, in the end, to draw such honest inferences as will, I humbly venture to trust, be found throughout these pages.

With the wisdom of all the previous plans adopted in exploring Western Africa I have nothing to do, and for that in which I was engaged,-! only feel myself responsible as far as the resources placed within my reach. A difficult duty was assigned me ; I attempted its execution ; and, be the results satisfactory or not, I can safely say that my best exertions were in no case wanting to meet the views of those high authorities at home and abroad who confided its performance to me. If I have partially failed, the failure is attributable to circum-