The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-12 00:00:00

EXPEDITION TO CENTRAL .AFRICA.

Further communications have been received from Dr.
Barth, from Timbuktu, giving an account of his pro-
tracted sojourn at that dangerous place. The date of
the present letters is two months more recent than that
of the first letters despatched thence. They reach up tc
the 15th December last. Tbey contain the gratifying
news that this indefatigable and courageous traveller hat'
regained Lis full health and strength. He writes that
he would have quitted Timbuktu long ago (a plac,
where his life was greatly exposed to the effects of sir
unfavourable climate, and much more so to the danger,
arising from the hostile disposition towards Christians
of the most fanatical Mohammedan population of
Northern Africa), were it not that he would have before
him certain death, and share the fate of the unfortunate
Major Laing, if he left Timbuktu without sufficient pro-
tection. The murder of that excellent officers was insti-
gated by the Fullan (or Fellahas) of Hanad-Allahi,
tribe living south-west from Timbuktu' the seine fac
tion that is so much opposed to Dr. Barth. nes,
lianid-Allahi Fullan had regived from their chief tilt
most peremptory order to effect the capture of the tea
yeller, and bring him to his head-quarters, whether
dead or alive, for they had expressed their disbelief
in the pretended character of Dr. 'Barth being an
ambassador from Stamboul ; and they had demanded ,
all his papers, to ascertain whether they substan-
tiated what the Sheikh el Bakay had caused the great
mass of the people to believe. Hitherto their hos.
tility has availed nothing, owing to the protection of the
Sheikh el Bakay, and to the enereetic bearing as well
ns the unceasing watchfulness of Dr. Barth himself.
Unhappily, the renowned Sheikh has no military power
of any kind, his authority consisting solely of an exten
sive spiritual influence over a great portion of the
Western Sudan. Dr. Barth, therefore, and his owl,
small retinue, are almost at all tunes well armed, and
ready to resist effectively any sudden attack. It is.
greatly to be regretted that Dr. Barth is not in pos-
session of a letter from the "Sultan of Stamboul," inas-
much as he states most emphatically that he would thee
not be in the least molested by any of the Mohammedan
inhabitants. He hoped, however, to be able to depart
from Timbuktu by the close of the year, and thus be
freed from a situation which must at once be highly de-
trimental to mind and body. While preparing the pre
sent letter, Dr. Barth had the great joy to receive Anal).
the mighty chief of the Tingeregif, a Tuaric tribe, inha-
biting the regions east of Timbuktu, along the Kowera,
or Isa Bailde, as it is more properly called there. That
lung-expected chief came, on the bidding of El Bakay, as
the traveller's protector, with a welcome escort of 100
horsemen, to see him safe'y through his dominions, on
his way back to S ikatu. The news of Dr. Vogel hav-
ing been despatched from Europe to join him had als.
reached Timbuktu, and given him the utmost delight
Dr. Barth had collected a great mass of information an,
drawn up various maps, of both which he has sent
small but valuable portion on this occasion. There i•
no further news from the party under Dr. Vogel, bui
ample communications may be expected in the course of
the present month.— Communicated to the Athenmum
by Mr. A. Petermann.
•••01.........•••••.•••••=1.1=

RODEN.—The letters from Rouen mention that the
market for manufactures was less active, but that no
great alteration had occurred.
DEPARTURES FROM THE PORT of LONDON.--The de-
partures for the Australian colonies during the past week
have comprised 10 vessels—three to, Sydney, with an ag
gregate burden of 1,809 tons; two to Port Philip, with
an aggregate burden of 1,499 tons; two to Adelaide,
with an amegate burden of 1,298 tons ; one to Hobart
Town, of 358 tons; one to Launceston, of 292 tons; and
one to Port Fairy, of 258 tons. Their total capacity
was, consequently, 5,514 tons. The rates of lreiL;lit ex-
hibit no great alteration, but ill some cases they are NI,
Cher firmer.