BOOK I.

DISCOVERIES AND TRAVELS IN THE INTERIOR

OF AFRICA.

CHAPTER I.

DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE, AND TRAVELS IN CONGO.

Early Voyage along the Western Coast.-Prester John.-Establishment at Arguin.—Expedition to the Senegal.-Early Accounts of Tombuctoo and Jenné.-Discovery of, and Voyage up the Congo, by Diego Cam.-Conversion of the Monarch to Christianity.-Missions to the Upper Part of the Congo.Batta.-Pango.-Sundi.-Esseno.-Concobella.-Mission to Matamba; Zingha.-To Maopongo.-Voyage of Carli.-Of Merrolla.-Of Battel.-De Grandpré.-Descriptions, by various Authors, of the Origin and Course of the Congo.

THE spirit of discovery, and of maritime enterprise, which had lain dormant in Europe during the long series of the middle ages, burst forth, in the fifteenth century, with an energy almost unparalleled. It is remarkable also, that, among all

the states of Europe, the lead should have been taken by Portugal, a power which did not seem destined to act any great part on the theatre of the world. Dr Robertson, in the introduction to his History of America, has well illustrated the causes which roused in that country the spirit of enterprise, and turned it into the sphere of exertion. The progress and successive discoveries of the Portuguese along the coast of Africa, are described by that great historian with such animation and eloquence, as must have rendered them familiar to almost every reader. But few, perhaps, are aware of the vast exertions which that nation made to penetrate into the interior, and with such success, as to reach farther, in every direction, than has been attained by any of the moderns, with the sole exceptions of Park and of Browne. The details of these important transactions, have been hitherto locked up in the writings of the Portuguese authors, or have been reported elsewhere in a very mutilated and imperfect state. A pretty copious abstract of them, therefore, will probably not be unacceptable to those who feel any interest in the steps by which discovery proceeded through the interior regions of this continent.

The encouragement afforded by the royal family, and the general excitement throughout the nation, gave a sufficient impulse to the career

It

into which the Portuguese nation had entered. Yet, into the most splendid of human enterprises, there usually enters some odd and capricious mixture. The glory of the Portuguese name, the discovery of new worlds, even the opening of the sources of golden wealth, were all considered as subordinate to the higher aim of discovering the abode of a person, who was known in Europe under the uncouth appellation of Prester John. The origin of this mysterious name, which formed the guiding star to the Portuguese in their career of discovery, is somewhat difficult to trace. attached itself originally to the centre of Asia, where it was reported by the early travellers, particularly by Rubruquis, that a Christian monarch of that name actually resided. The report appears to have been founded on the nominal conversion of a Tartar Prince, by missionaries belonging to the sect of the Nestorians. The search accordingly, in that direction, proved altogether fruitless. At length it was rumoured very confidently, that, on the eastern coast of Africa, there did exist a Christian sovereign, whose dominions stretched far into the interior. Thenceforth it appeared no longer doubtful, that this was the real Prester John, and that the search had hitherto been made in a wrong direction. The maps of Ptolemy, then the sole guide of geographical inquirers, were spread out; and, on viewing in them the general