Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by HARPER & BROTHERS, in the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New York ADVERTISEMENT FEW subjects have excited a more lively interest among the curious and the learned, than the geo. graphical problem with regard to the termination of the Niger. This question was at length put at rest by the successful expedition of the Landers,* but not until after more than half a century of fruitless effort and speculation, during which many val. uable lives had been sacrificed in attempting to trace to its outlet the course of this mysterious riv. cr. Among those who had generously devoted themselves to this perilous enterprise, none was more distinguished than Mungo Park; whose un. timely fate, after having triumphed over the most appalling difficulties, excited the deepest commiseration and regret. Besides a minute and copious narration of the two expeditions of this celebrated traveller, the volume here offered to the public con. tains a succinct and interesting account of the la. bours of subsequent adventurers in the same field, bringing down the subject of African discovery to the most recent period. H. & B. New-York, May, 1840. * See Landers' Expedition to the Niger, Nos xxxv. and xvxvi. of Harpers' Family Library. CONTENTS. Birto and Education of Mungo Park.-His apprenticeship w a Surgeon.-His Arrival in London.-His Appointment of As- sistant-surgeon in an East India Ship.-His Voyage to India and back.-The African Association.--Park's Services ac- Park's Voyage to Africa.-His Stay at Pisania.-His Illness and Occupations.-Preparations for his Journey to the Inte rior.-The Negro Nations near the Gambia-The Feloops- |