The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-03 00:00:00

Capt, Speke on Civilisation in Central Africa,

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A meeting was held at the residence of the Mar-
quis Townshend, Grosvenor-place, on Tuesday, for
the purpose of considering Captain Speke's plan for
the civilisation of the natives of equatorial Africa.
Amongst those present were Lord Kinsale, Col.
Sir Thomas Trowbridge, Mr. Perry Watlington,
M.P., Col. Dawes, Capt. Speke, Dr. Murie, and the
Rev. W. Denton.

Capt. STEKE arose amierwarm applause, and spoke
for a considerable time on the subject before the
meeting. 110 said it was gratifying to observe the
existence of a strong determination on the part of
this country and the Government to suppress the
slave trade. At preseni our exertions had been un-
successful, and would so continue as long as they
were confined simply to the presence of men-of-
war along the coast of Africa. As soon as
that was withdrawn the slave trade would revive,
The only method, in his opinion, was to educate
the negro to maintain his own right, and to parti-
cipate with us in the abolition of this inhuman
traffic. It might be true that in America and Cabs
the trade had declined ; yet at Z anzibar it was
three times as great as at Cuba. The slave trade
also on the White Nile was almost unparalleled;
the merchants sent large parties up she country to
obtain ivory in any way they could, by beads or
bullets, and sided with one chief or another to rob
the natives and capture slaves. It was calculated
that the capture of one slave involved the loss of
four lives. The cost of our present system of sup-
pression was something like £150,000 annually, and
so large a sum should realise much greater results.
The propositions he had to make were the follow.
ing, and were calculated, in his opinion, to effect
the objects he was assured all present desired :-1.
That our Government bo petitioned to use its influ-
ence, conjointly with the Egyptian Government, to
suppress the illegitimate tendencies of the White
Nile trade; and, for that purpoce, to^establish an
alliance with the Bari negroes, at the foot of the
cataracts above Gondokoro, 2. Teat our Govern-
ment be petitioned, with other European Govern-
ments, to support an united Cnurch mission, to bo
sent, via Luwakem on the Red Sea, to Berber on the
Nile, thence up the Nile to the foot of the cataracts
above Gondokoro, whence, by land, they would
march up the Nile to the kingdom of Unyoro. 3.
Tbat the missionaries composing the mission be
selected not for the purpose only of preaching to the
Wahuma, but for general instruction ; and that they
shall be bound to he self-supporting after the first
two or three years, or until a trade can be insti-
tuted with Egpyt. 4. That when the King of
Unyoro can see and understand that ;egitimate
trade is the beat thing for the maintenance of his
Government and the prosperity of his people, de•
tacbments of missionaries shall be sent further on to
the kingdoms of Agunda and Karague. 5. That
our Government be petitioned to make some ar-
rangement with the Sultan at Zanzibar to put a
stop to the slave trade in his dominions. 6. That
our Government be petitioned to recognise all per-
sons convicted of taking part in slavery as conniv-
ing at murder, and to treat them accordingly; for
without bloodshed slaves cannot be caught. 7. That
our Government be petitioned to form a chain of
negro depots round the east and west sides of Africa,
in sufficient numbers to half man our men-of-
war, end yet to have a strong reserve at each
depot, who shall be educated and brought up for
the holy purpose of liberating their fellow coun-
tryinen from the thraldom of slavery ; as it :is ob•
vious that the great sums of money now spent with
a view to suppress slavery are doing more harm
than good. 8. That, as much as possible, negroes
should be educated and employed in all British
services, and taught to abhor the slave trade, which
they have hitherto been taught to consider legiti-
mate from the fact that they are purchased with
European articles of merchandise. Fertility and
good government are necessary to the missionary ;
from the want of these essentials the Z imbeei Mis-
sion had failed. The great belt of fertility he
(Captain Speke) had diecovered within three degrees
of the equator, on either side; the existence of
three kingdoms, governed by kings of Abys-
sinian origin, of an intelligence superior to the
natives, and of milder disposition ; at Unyoro
a King who would readily :entre the missi Mary ;
the opening of the ivory trade and other products
down the Nile--guaranteed the success of a mission.
A settlement, with an English consul, should be
established at Gondokoro to prevent the passage of
muskets without a written authority. The trade
with this country would then be carried down the
Nile, instead of, as at present,t hrough Zanzibar and
so roiled the coast. He would also observe that the
climate on the equatorial bolt was more healthy than
is usual in intertropical Africa. lie recommended
his propositions to the meeting with great confi-
dence, as he was assured it was the best course to
suppress slavery by the education of the natives in
Christianity, and the advantages of commerce and
agriculture. (Applause.)
Dr. Murie, Mr. Perry Watlington, the Rev. S.
May, and the Rev. Wyndham Malet having ad-
dressed the meeting in favour of Captain Speke's
plan,
Mr. C. MURDOCII proposed the following resolu-
tion :—" That this meeting, having considered a
statement made) by Capt, Speke, is of opinion that
an association should be formed for the suppression
of the slave trade, the instruction of the natives of
Central Africa in the truths of Christianity, and
opening a wide field for commerce in lands remark-
ably rich and fertile."
The Marquis TOWNSSrID seconded the resolution.
Mr. PERRY WATIANGT9N then proposed ; "That
the gentlemen present ho a vpointed a committee to
carry the preceding resolution into effect, with
power to add to their number."
The Rev. WYNDIIAM Marl' seconded the re-
solution.
Tho Marquis TowesllEam they pat the third
resolution " That the committee ho.'d a meeting
on Monday, the 7th inst., and that Air. Herbert
Safford, of 6, Bolton-row, bo requested to under-
take the duties of honorary seoretary ;" and fourth,
" That the thanks of the meeting be given to.Cap-
taia Speke."
These resolutions having been agreed to stem. con.
and after some observations from Colonel Dews and
Mr. Herman Lowenthal upon the success of the
mission in Africa with which they were acquainted,
the meeting adjourned.

LANCASTER GRAMMAR 6CIIOOL. —we have
great pleasure in observing that the Itlyal Gram-
mar School of Lancaster still maintains its high reputation,
not only at the universities, but also what is of almost equal
importance, in the middle class examinations. It is there-
by shown that boys are as well prepared for commercial
pursuits as they are for the more learned professions. Fur
the Cambridge Mathematical Tripes of this year, we find
that Mr. Metcalfe was 2Gth wrangler, and Messrs. Bolden
and I'ritt occupied good positions among the senior and
juniuroptitnes. Tho following wore successful candidates
at the Cambridge local examination, held in December last.
In the list of senior candidates, first class honours were ob-
teined by Irvine and Baynes—second class, Ilawxby—third
class, Barton. Among the junior candidates—first class,
Fitzgerald—second class, Bond, Cooper, and Murton—
third class, Fowell and Leach. Booth and Wane passed
also to the eatisfaction of the examiners. IV hile Irvine
and Baynes were first and second of the senior candidates
examined at Liverpool, Fitzgerald surpassed all rival com-
petitors, and his name accordingly figures at the head of the
whole list which embraces boys from all parts of the king-
dom. Should Lord Derby give the same live or 10 guinea
prizes that he did ins e last, both will:have been carried
off by Lancaster boy w unho have been entirely educated at
the Grammar School of Lancaster.
Tii E ELEVENTH EDITION OF RENAN'O " Vie de
Jesus," unchanged in form and 'nice, has just been issued
by Messrs. Levy fatres of Paris.NATIONAL SAINTS.—St. Patrick, the patron
saint of Ireland, wan a Scotchiumi, named Succath.
Being of noble birth he was summed Patricius, which
became afterwards Patrick. St. David, the patron saint of
Wales, was the sou of a Cymric prince and uncle of King
Arthur. St. Gall, the apostle of the Swiss, was Colhmban,
an Irish priest. St. Augustine, the apostle of the Saxons,
was an Italian. St. Boniface, the apostle of the Germans,
was a Levonshire man, named Winifred. Constantine the
Great, who Ora made Christianity a state religion, was born
in Britain. Pelagius, one of the great heresiarchs of the
ancient Christian Church, and who as an eyewitness wrote
an account of the sack at Rome, was one Morgan, a Briton.
St. Dunstan was a Glastonbury man. St. Swlthin, who
escorted Alfred the Great when a boy to Rome, was a Win-
chester monk. St. Buethiais lived and died a pagan. Ile
was canonised on account of the inestimable value of his
great work on " The Consolations of PhilosoptlY to Reli-
gion and Morality,"