The Sun.
London, England, 1830-03-29 00:00:00

Tlll7 MARKETS.--(THIS DAY).

CORN-EXCHANGE.
The supplies of all kinds of Grain last. week were con-
siderable, and there was a large arrival of Flour. This
morning there are not many arrivals of any kinds of Corn
fresh up. Fine Wheat still continues scarce, and such
readily obtained the terms last quoted, other sorts are
dull, and Is. to 2s. per quarter lower than last Monday.
Superfine Barley is unaltered in value, but the quantity
of other descriptions being so very large, a reduction has
been submitted to of Is. to 2s. per quarter. Beans that
are dry are Is. to 2s. per quarter dearer. Grey Prase are
advanced Is. per quarter. Oats find buyers slowly to-day,
but they are not cheaper than on this day sa'nnight. In
the Flour trade there is no variation.

PRICES ON BOARD OF SHIP.
~Vhcat, Red (old) -s. -s. Beans, Small (new)... -s. -s.
-.White (old) -s. -a.
-Red 1829) ... 48s. 525. - Tick (new)... 29s 335.
Fine ,6s. 635. . (old) ....:355. 375.
Superfine.. 635. 725. I Harrow (new) 30s. 355.
--White (1229). 525. 625.
Fine 6ss. 725. I Brank 225. '23s.
Superfine.. 765. SO:. Oats, Feed
-Foreign free 50s. 02s. I
Rye `3os. 34.3. - Poland
Barley
- Fine 28s. 31s. - Potatoe -s. -s.
- Superfine
Malt 4ss. 565. - scotch 28:. 30$.
- Fine 58s. 625. - Irish l4s. 189 20s.
Pease, Grey
- Maple 34s. 28s. - Seconds 50s. 555.
-- White - North Country 48s. 51s.
- Boilers

LI :ERATUII7.

CAILLIE'S TRAVEL', TO TIMBUCTOO.—VoL. 11

LONDON, IMO.

We have just non, laying before us an extract
from Mr. Ralph Tho:esby's Diary, in which
that worthy old gentleman, who writes at the
commencement of the eighteenth century, gives
an entertaining account of his journey, or rather
voyage, from Leeds through the marshes of.
Lincolnshire to London. He describes, in terms
of proportionate earnestness, the manifold and
manifest perils of his expedition—the intricacies
of the roads- —the bogs, quagmires, rivers, lakes,
&c. through which he was " enforced" to pass
—the inconveniences, not to say the hazards, of
his mode of conveyance—the strange inhabitants
that he encountered in the different strange towns
at which he put up—the snow-storms and hurri-
canes that discomfited him and his—and winds
up his narrative by a thanksgiving to Providence
who had enabled him to reach Huntingdon—
" where there are four church-yards, three
steeples, but only two churches and one parson,"
—and ultimately even London, in safety. Now,
what would this simple-minded traveller, who
thinks so much of a journey from Yorkshire to
Middlesex, say to Rene Caillie's expedition across
the most barren desarts of Africa, to a city in
the: very interior of the country,:to the mysterious
and till now unvisited Timbuctoo ? How would he
shudder with apprehension, could he rise from
the grave, and with all the prejudices of his
day still clinging freshly to him, sit down in
his own " tidy study at Leeds," and peruse
the details of a journey across the Zahara, or
Great Desart ; a journey to which even the
moors of Lincolnshire—and it is far from our
wish to speak disparagingly of these very re-
spectable fells, which still retain much of their
primitive desolation—are no more to be com-
pared than Mr. Nash's new mountain in Buck-
ingham-gardens with the mountains of the Alps,
Thibet, or the Andes ? We can conceive
Ralph Thoresby's astonishment at the bare idea
of such an expedition ! He would probably
first wonder at the romantic character of the de-
tails—then pause to reflect—then shake his
venerable sconce in distrust—and at last fling
aside the book, and take refuge from his doubts
in flat, honest, uncompromising incredulity !
We will confess that on first perusing these
volumes, we felt very much inclined to do as we
have supposed worthy Mr. Thoresby would have
done. On a more careful examination, how-
ever, our scepticism has softened into mere sur-
prize, and we feel thoroughly inclined to believe
that Mr. Caillie has really reached that mys-
terious city, which, though its name has been
known for ages to Europe, none but poor Ma-
jor Laing and the present traveller have ever
been known to penetrate.; M. Caillie, it: seems,
set out on his grand expedition on the 19th of
April, 1827, from Kakondy, a village situated
on the Rio Nunez, fifty leagues to the north of
Sierra-Leone. After passing through a variety
of small provinces,---whose very names it is an
exertion to spell, and an absolute impossibility
to pronounce,—where the scenery was flat, par-
tially irrigated by shallow starveling streams, and
diversified here and there by uninviting towns and
villages, he reached the populous manufac-
turing town of Jenne, which is situated on an
island of that name, formed by the waters of the
vast river Dhioliba. This is the same stream
that has been so often mistaken for the Niger,
or a branch of it, and which has been set down
in the maps accordingly. It is an immense
river ; in some places a mile broad or more, and
was navigated by M. Caillie for nearly a thou-
sand miles. Jenne, which is situated on its
banks, is a rich and busy place, though till now
little, if at all, known to Europeans. M.
Caillie continued there but a few days, being
anxious to hasten forward to Timbuctoo. With
this view he once again ventured on the broad
bosom of the Dhioliba, in a large but crazy and
cumbrous canoe, and after three weeks naviga-
tion arrived on the borders of an unknown lake
or rather inland sea, which almost rivals Lake
Tchad in grandeur, and of which we have the
following account :
" After a slow navigation, during which we made re-
peated halts, we reached the mouth of the great lake about
three in the afternoon. About six miles S.W. of this
entrance, there is a rock in the form of a truncated Sugar-
loaf; it is situated in an inundated marsh which is covered
with green herbage. This enormous rock, which is quite
bare, forms a singular contrast with the freshness of the
surrounding vegetation. As it has, though a very striking
land-mark, received no name from the natives, I thought
proper to give it one, and have named the whole spot St.
Charles's Island. In the lake, and about nine or ten miles
to the N.E., is a small island, on which I observed some
trees almost destitute of leaves. It is capable of being in..
habited, and affords facilities for the formation of a good
port. I have named it Henry Island, in honour of his
Royal Highness the Duke of Boittdeaux. A third island,
also formed of rock, is situated between these two, a little
to the eastward of the line which would intersect them,
and to it I have given the name of Maria-Theresa, in
honour of her Royal Highness the Dauphiness. Two of
these islands appear to command the mouth of the lake.
Were a fort built on one of the three it would command
the environs, and the navigation would be under the con-
troul of the possessor.

" To the. N.N.E. of the island of Alaria-Theresa we
observed a Lill about fifty or sixty fathoms high. It is
composed of red earth, and of large porous rocks of the
same colour. Some fishermen have established themselves
on the declivity of this hill, which is extremely arid.
" Land is seen on every side of the lake except on the
west, where it spreads out like an inland sea. On coast-
ing along its northern side, and. steering nearly W.N.W.
to the distance of fifteen miles, we leave on the left a
tongue of very flat land, which extends several miles
southward. It seems to close the passage of the lake, and
to form a kind of strait. Beyond this barrier the lake is
prolonged, as I have said, towards the west, until it is lost
in the horizon.

" The barrier I have just mentioned divides lake Debo
into two lakes, the upper and the lower. That through
which the boats passed, and in which the three islands I
have mentioned are situated, is very large. It extends in
an easterly direction, and is surrounded by extensive
marshes. Land is visible on every side.
" When we had advanced as far as the middle of the
first division, three of the large boats fired some muskets,
to salute this majestic lake, and the crew of each boat
shouted with all their might Sulam ! Sulam ! repeating
the cry several times. We stood off from the eastern
bank and navigated with great caution : the lake was calm
and the water clear. The current was not perceptible on
its surface, the depth of the part which we navigated was
twelve or thirteen feet. The canoes were merely rowed,
and advanced very slowly 3 I could not recover from my
surprise at seeing so great a mass of water in the heart of
the country. There was something very majestic in the
sight.
" About five in the evening we arrived off Gabibi, a
small fishing village on the right bank of the lake. The
huts of this village are made of straw and of a round form.
Since we entered the lake we bad stood to the N.E. We
passed close to the island of Maria-Theresa, on which I

observed wore finc! granite of a bright chesnut colour. We
took our departure from Gala', and at sun-set I saw, for
the first time, since I left the coast, that luminary sink
into a sort of :c.e

On quitting the banks of this magnificent
sheet of water, our traveller proceeded, still float•
ing along the surface of the Dhioliba, towards
the port of Cabra, a bustling town or village,
which, in its business-like appearance, reminded
him of a trading port in France or England,
whence he took horse forth e great capital of the
Soudan, Timbuctoo. This part of his narrative
is remarkably well detailed :

" At length we arrived safely at Timbuctoo, just as the
sun was touching the horizon. I now saw this capital of
the Soudan, to reach which had so long been the object o•
my wishes. On entering this mysterious city, which is
an object of curiosity and research to the civilized nations
EuroFe, I experienced an indescribable satisfaction.
never before felt a similar emotion, and my transport was
extreme. I was obliged, however, to restrain my feelings,
and to God alone did I confide my joy. With what gra
titude did I return thanks to Heaven, for the happy result
which attended my enterprise! How many grateful
thanksgivings did I pour forth for the protection which
God had vouchsafed to me, amidst obstacles and danger,
which appeared insurmountable. This duty being ended,
I looked around and found that the sight before me did not
answer my expectations; I bad formed a totally different
idea of the grandeur and wealth of Timbuctoo. The city
presented, at first view, nothing but a mass of ill-looking
houses, built of earth. Nothing was to he seen in all di-
rections but immense plains of quicksand of a yellowish
white colour. The sky was a pale red as far as the hori-
zon : all nature wore a dreary aspect, and the most pro-
found silence prevailed; not even the warbling of a bird
was to be heard. Still, though I cannot account for the
impression, there was something imposing in the aspect of
a great city, raised in the midst of sands, and the difficul-
ties surmounted by its founders cannot fail to excite admi-
ration. lam inclined to think, that formerly the river
flowed close to Timbuctoo ; though at present it is eight
miles to the north of that city, and five miles from Cabra,
in the same direction."

" The city of Timhuctoo forms a sort of triangle, mea-
suring about three miles in circuit. The houses are large,
but not high, consisting entirely of a ground-floor. In
some, a sort of little closet is constructed above the en-
trance. They are built of bricks of a round form, rolled
in the hands, and baked in the sun. The walls, except
as far as regards their height, resemble those of Jenne.
" The streets of Timhuctoo are clean, and sufficiently
wide to permit three horsemen to pass abreast. Both
within and without the town there are many straw huts
of a circular form, like those of the pastoral Foulahs.
They serve as dwellings for the poor, and for the slaves
who sell merchandise for their masters.

" Timbuctoo contains seven mosques, two of which are
large ; each is surmounted by a brick tower.
" This mysterious city, which has been an object of cu-
riosity fur so many ages, and of whose population, civiliza-
tion, and trade with the Soudan, such exaggerated notions
have prevailed, is situated in an iinineme plain of white
sand, having no vegetation but stunted trees and shrubs,
such as the mimosa
.ferruginea, which grows no higher
than three or four feet. The city is not closed by any
barrier, and may be entered on any side, Within the
town are seen some of the balanitis cegyptiaca, and in the
centre is a palm tree.
" Timbuctoo may contain at most about ten or twelve
thousand inhabitants ; all are engaged in trade. The po-
pulation is at times augmented by the Arabs, who come
with the caravans, and remain awhile in the city. In the
plain several species of grass and thistles afford food for
the camels. Fire-wood is very scarce, being all brought
from the neighbourhood of Cabra. It is an article of
trade, and the women sell it in the market-place. It is
only burnt by the rich ; the poor use camel dung for fuel.
Water is also sold in the market-place; the women give a
measure containing about half a pint for a cowrie.
" Timbuctoo, though one of the largest cities I have
seen in Africa, possesses no other resources but its trade in
salt, the soil being totally unfit for cultivation. The in-
habitants procure from Jenne every thing requisite for the
supply of their wants, such as millet, rice, vegetable but-
ter, honey, cotton, Soudan cloth, preserved provisions,
candles, soap, allspice, onions, dried fish, pistachios, &c."

M. Caillie made a stay of thirteen days at
this capital, after which he set off, with a
Moorish caravan, across the Great Desart, and
having conquered difficulties apparently insur-
mountable, arising partly from the horrible na-
ture of the climate and partly from the suspicious,
grasping, and treacherous character of the Moors,
arrived in safety at Tangier, in Morocco, from
which place he set out, in a French sloop, for
Toulon, at which point he concludes his inte-
resting narrative. One of the most affecting,
portions in Caillie's travels is that which is de-
voted to Major Laing, who it seems reached
Timbuctoo, and even lodged in the same street
where our traveller halted ; but on his return to
Europe was waylaid by a party of roving Moors,
and cruelly put to death, because he refused to
acknowledge the divinity of Mahomet.

An unknown friend, we hear, has transmitted
to Mr. Aurrotn the sum of 2,0001. in Bank of England
notes. They were received enclosed in a letter, which
offered no hint whatever as to the source from whence they
came.

The triumphant success of Miss KENIBLE,
besides saving Covent-garden from ruin, has very naturally
procured her many provincial offers, as honourable to her
talent as they are advantageous in a pecuniary point of
view. She, therefore, proceeds on a professional tour with
her father during the summer months ; in consequence of
which it is stated that Covent-garden Theatre will close in
May, being considerably sooner than usual. We certainly
rejoice at every thing which can raise her reputation or
increase her wealth ; but we can hardly see the propriety
of shutting the establishment, and throwing so many per-
sons out of employment, before the period on which they
calculated. We do not know whether the engagements
are on the same footing at Covent-garden as at Drury-lane ;
but at the latter an eningement for the season is under-
stood to imply two hundred play nights. It is generally
a few nights longer; but the regular termination will take
place this year on the 21st of June. We hope that Mr.
ICltmisr.it will pause before he takes a step which will render
hint unpopular with the members of the establishment.--
Morning Herald.

The character of Borromeo, in the new novel
of Clondesley, by the celebrated author of " Caleb Wil-
liams," is a memorable study of human nature. In one
of his voyages it is his fate to be taken prisoner by the Alge-
rines, and sold for a slave. In this situation his stubborn
soul bows not before his oppressors—he despises their
threats—he shrinks not from their cruelties—his bosom
heaves no sigh—no groan betrays the agony he endures.
No limb quivers—no feature alters to gratify the malice of
his tyrants—but his wrongs he treasures up in the inner-
most core of his heart. Such is the man to whom the
young hero owes all his misfortunes, but whose stern na-
ture eventwdlv becomes subdued when he reviews the ex-
traordinary events by which the youth is rescued from an
ignominious death, and unexpectedly raised to the highest
honours and prosperity.

Covent. garden Market is nearly finished, ex-
cept the green-houses intended to decorate the terrace
fronting Great Russell-street, the construction of which
has undergone a tasteful change, under the inspection of
Mr. Hanoi-, the Duke of Bzurorto's principal agent.
The market, in its detail, will be the most complete in
Europe. Fifty thousand pounds have been expended upon
it, which, it is calculated, will barely produce an interest
of four per cent. The report is untrue that the whole
rental of the Garden amounts to any thing like twelve
thousand pounds per annum. The Duke of BEDroltD
had long entertained the project of a new Garden, with-
out any regard to additional emolument. The whole of
the green-houses are let to two eminent florists.

NEW SOUTH WALES.--A most extraordi-
nary case came before the Supreme Court at Sydney, New
South \Vales, on the 6th of October last. It was an ac-
tion brought by a respectable individual, named Thom.-
sox, a passenger
to Sydney, on hoard the brig Faith, from England
against \lr. WILLET, master of that vessel on
the voyage, to recover damages for trespass and false im-
prisonment. The damages were laid at 1,0001. The
case was on aggravated one, and among other charges
brought against the defendant was one to the effect, that he
had put plaintiff in irons and confined him in a dog-kennel
among all the filth and vermin of the ship.—Verdict for
plaintiff, damages 5004