PICTURE OF AFRICA

AT HOME.

HAVING sketched, as faithfully as our capacities and means would permit, a general view of sable Africa, while on an urged, but reluctant visit amongst her fairfaced neighbors, and of the sort of cheer presented to her palate; it is hoped that, to the greatest proportion of our patrons, (if to any) a slight perspective miniature of her physiognomy at home, and of the welcome festivities of which she invites her white guests, (faint and weary) to partake, at her own table, and under her own tree, will not be unacceptable.

Notwithstanding the interesting journal of the Travels of Mungo Park, in the Interior of Africa, in 1795-6-7, is probably already familiar to every considerable reader, several incidents have been culled and here connected, with a conviction that the repetition of their perusal, if not always new, will be always gratifying and instructive.

The first considerable Province of Africa, through which Mr. Park travelled, is inhabited by "the Mandingoes, who, generally speaking, says he, are of a mild, sociable, and obliging disposition."

"I was told that a Mandingo, master can neither deprive his slave of life, nor sell him to a stranger, without first calling a palaver on his conduct; or in other words

I

bringing him to a public trial. But this degree of protection is extended only to the native or domestic slave."

On the arrival of Park at Fatteconda, the Capital of Bondou, he was invited to the presence of the king, who having entertained him with great complaisance and hospitality, "observed, that his women were very desirous of seeing him, and requested that he would favour them with a visit." He describes his interview with these royal personages thus:

"An attendant was ordered to conduct me; and I had no sooner entered the court appropriated to the ladies, than the whole seraglio surrounded me; some begging for physic, some for amber; and all of them desirous of trying that great African specific, blood-letting. They were ten or twelve in number, most of them young and handsome, and wearing on their heads ornaments of gold, and beads of amber.

"They rallied me with a good deal of gaiety on different subjects; particularly upon the whiteness of my skin, and the prominency of my nose. They insisted that both were artificial. The first, they said, was produced when I was an infant by dipping me in milk; and they insisted that my nose had been pinched every day, till it had acquired its present unsightly and unnatural conformation. On my part, without disputing my own deformity, I paid them many compliments on African beauty. I praised the glossy jet of their skins, and the lovely depression of their noses; but they said that flattery, or (as they emphatically termed it) honey-mouth, was not esteemed in Bondou. In return, however, for my company or my compliments (to which, by the way, they seemed not so insensible as they affected to be) they presented me with a jar of honey and some fish, which were sent to my lodging; and I was desired to come again to the king a little before sunset."

pro

Mr. Park states, that he found many schools in his gress through the country, and observed with pleasure, the great docility and submissive deportment of the chil

dren, and heartily wished they had better instructors and a purer religion.

"The industry of the Foulahs of Bondou in the occupations of pasturage and agriculture, is every where remarkable. Their herds and flocks are numerous, and they are opulent in a high degree, and enjoy all the necessaries of life in the greatest profusion. They display great skill in the management of their cattle, making them extremely gentle by kindness and familiarity."

After having arrived in one of the villages, and being at a loss how to procure food, Mr. Park describes the voluntary kindness of a female slave, as follows:

"Towards evening, as I was sitting upon the Bentang, chewing straws, an old female slave passing by with a basket upon her head, asked me if I had got my dinner. As I thought she only laughed at me, I gave her no answer; but my boy, who was sitting close by, answered for me, and told her, that the king's people had robbed me of all my money. On hearing this, the good old woman, with a look of unaffected benevolence, immediately took the basket from her head, and shewing me that it contained ground-nuts, asked me if I could eat them; being answered in the affirmative, she presented me with a few handfuls, and walked away before I had time to thank her for this seasonable supply."

Mr. Park describes his arrival at the town of Jumbo, in company with one of the natives who had been several years absent, thus:

"On entering the town, the singing man began an extempore song in praise of the blacksmith, extolling his courage in having overcome so many difficulties, and concluding with strict injunctions to his friends, to dress him plenty of victuals.

"When we arrived at the blacksmith's place of residence, we dismounted and fired our muskets. The

meeting between him and his relations was very tender; for these rude children of nature, free from restraint, display their emotions in the strongest and most expressive manner. Amidst these transports, the blacksmith's aged mother was led forth, leaning upon a staff. Every one made way for her, and she stretched out her hand to bid her son welcome. Being totally blind, she stroked his hands, arms, and face, with great care, and seemed highly delighted that her latter days were blessed by his return, and that her ears once more heard the music of his voice. From this interview, I was fully convinced, that whatever difference there is between the Negro and the European, in the conformation of the nose, and the colour of the skin, there is none in the genuine sympathies and characteristic feelings of our common nature.

"When all the people present had seated themselves, the blacksmith was desired by his father to give them some account of his adventures, &c. In the latter part of his narration, he had frequently occasion to mention me; and after many strong expressions concerning my kindness to him, he pointed out the place where I sat, and exclaimed, affille ibi siring, "see him sitting there." In a moment all eyes were turned upon me; I appeared like a being dropped from the clouds, &c.-the blacksmith assured them that I was perfectly inoffensive, and would hurt nobody, &c. but many of them were still very suspicious, and when by accident I happened to move myself, or look at the young children, their mothers would scamper off with them with the greatest precipitation. In a few hours, however, they all became reconciled to me.

"With these worthy people I spent the remainder of that and the ensuing day, in feasting and merriment, &c.”

Having yielded to despair, and fainted upon the sand, for a few moments, while passing through a barren wilderness, exhausted with fatigue, hunger and thirst, he renewed his efforts, and arrived at a Foulah village called Shrilla. He continues his narrative thus:

"I had some doubts about entering it; but, my horse being very much fatigued, and the day growing hot, not to mention the pangs of hunger which began to assail me, I resolved to venture, and accordingly rode up to the Dooty's house, where I was unfortunately denied admittance, and could not obtain even a handful of corn, either for myself or my horse. Turning from this inhos. pitable door, I rode slowly out of the town, and perceiv ing some low scattered huts without the walls, I directed my route towards them; knowing, that in Africa, as well as in Europe, hospitality does not always prefer the highest dwellings. At the door of one of these huts, an old motherly-looking woman sat spinning cotton; I made signs to her that I was hungry, and inquired if she had any victuals with her in the hut. She immediately laid down her distaff, and desired me, in Arabic, to come in. When I had seated myself upon the floor, she sat before me a dish of kouskous, that had been left the preceding night, of which I made a tolerable meal, and in return for this kindness I gave her one of my pocket handkerchiefs, begging, at the same time, a little corn for my horse, which she readily brought me,

"Overcome with joy at so unexpected a deliverance, I lifted up my eyes to heaven, and whilst my heart swelled with gratitude, I returned thanks to that gracious and bountiful Being, whose power had supported me under so many dangers, and had now spread me a table in the wilderness."

Having penetrated the African continent nearly to the waters of the Niger, the chief object of his mission, he passed through a sinall town called Wawra, the Dooty of which, he says, gave him a "hearty welcome." He con

tinues:

"I laid myself down and slept soundly for about two hours. The curiosity of the people would not allow me to sleep any longer. They had seen my saddle and bridle, and assembled in great numbers, to learn who I was and whence I came. The Dooty assured them that I was