Star.
London, England, 1824-04-20 00:00:00

i.

MR. BOWDICH, THE AFRICAN TRAVELLER.

The Public has already been made acquainted with
the death of Mr. Bowdich, one of the many victims of
African disci:moil, at the early age of thirty, leaving a
young and amiable widow destitute.
Mr. Bowdich was born in June, 1703, at Bristol,
where his father was a considerable manufacturer. At
a very early age he was sent to the Gramma,. School of
that city, and soon gave the strongest indications of
those talents which distinguished him in future life.
He was afterwards placed at a school at Corsham, in
Wiltshire, of high classical reputation ; and subse-
quently, for a short time, was attached to one of the
Halls in Oxford, although, it is believed, he was never
regularly matriculated.
At an early age Mr. Bowdich formed a matrimonial
connection which proved his pride and solace in all
the vicissitudes of his chequered life ; and for some
years he remained resident in Bristol, participating in
his father's business.
A variety of circumstances, however, and especially
a distaste for trade, induced him to seek a more conge-
nial pursuit ; and a near relative fNing at that time an
important situation on the Gold Coast, Mr. Bowdich
solicited, and-obtained an appointment as writer in the
service of the African Company.
He arrived at Cape Coast Castle in the year 1816,
and was shortly afterwards joined by his wife, the cheer-
ful participator of all his dangers, and the efficient as-
sistant in his scientific labours. It being determined to
send an embassy to the interior kingdom of Ashantee,
a service in which few were willing to embark, Mr.
Bowdich promptly sought permission to lead or 4cortr-
party it; but the circumstance of his being a husband
and a father was felt to present a reason for refusing
his request, till at length the urgency of his solicitation
arid the recollection of his talents prevailed, and he was
appointed to the perilous enterprise. The mission was
successful in all its objects, and Mr. Bowdich fortu-
nately achieved the distinction of being amongst the
many who had devoted themselves to the fearful object
of exploring the interior of Africa, the only one whose
labours were crowned with complete success. Never,
perhaps, were prudence and intrepidity more required,
or more strikingly exhibited than in the progress of this
mission. In illustration of the latter quality, we quote
a passage from a dispatch written by Mr. Bowdich, at
a moment when the fate of himself and his companions
was suspended by a thread of the most fragile texture:
—" But, Gentlemen, if in your better knowledge and
reflexion, you cannot consistently with your honour and
.your trust meet the King's demand, the history of our
country has fortified our minds with the illustrious ex-
ample of a Vansittart and his colleagues, who were si-
tuated as we are when the dawn of British intercourse
in India was scarcely more advanced than its dawn in
Africa is now, and their last request to their Council is
our present conclusion to you: do not put our lives in
competition with the honour and interest of our coun-
try."—Returning to England to communicate the ante-,
resting and valuable details, which even the imminent
perils of his situation had not diverted him from col.
lecting, and to solicit the means of more extensive and•
efficient research, Mr. Bowdich was greeted by all who
were eminent in science or station with the most flatter.
ing testimonials of the value of his discoveries and ac-
knowledgments of the merits of his personal exertions.
Ever enthusiastic in the cause of science, he derived
an additional stimulus from the applauses which were'
thus bestowed, and thenceforward had no object but to,
be allowed the _means and.opportunity of devoting his-
attainmants and intrepidity to, further researches in the
interesting field he had already in part explored.
I%.irs Oosodich repaired. to Paris, with a view of per
fecting his knowledge of some of the physical sciences,
by the means with which that city abounds. His recep-
tion here was as generous as flattering.: Humboldt,
Cuvier, Blot, Denon, in short, all the savans, bestowed
on him the most distinguished attention ; a public Raga
was pronounced on hint, at a Meeting of the Four Aca-
demies of the Institute, and an advantageous appoint-
matt offered by the French doeerriment. Too much
. Englishman, however, to accept this offer, Mr. Bow-
dich continued in Paris a considerable time;
.endea-
vbiiring to obtain', by his own industry, the means of
Puishing the object of his fond ambition; and 'ha•vi*,'
at length-effected the-tiecessary arrangements, he toast
his departure from Europe, accompanied by his wife
dud two children, hoping, by•further -achievements' in:
the find of science, to establish a 'stronger claim upori
.siieiety at large.
'The first intelligence received- of' Air. Bowdich is,
that be leas died a martyr iiithe cause to which he had
dedicated hiiriself, leaving aractoMplished and amia-'
ble viidoW•with three children totally unprovided for.
~IQur Emits will nest allow us to do justice to Mr. Bow-
• dicles talents and acquirements: they were, however,
.
of a very 'high Order. He was a profound classic and
linguist, an excellent mathematician, well versed in most
.of the physical sciences, iu ancient and modern history,
and in polite literature.
Mr. Bowdich was a member of many of the learned
societies of this country and the Continent ; and, besides
the very interesting Account of his Mission to A shantee,
was-the author of several scientific Works. In the death
• of such an individual, combining, as he did, so many
sialu.able epialificatiOns for a 'traveller, the cause of
science has sustained a loss not easily to be repaired.

The Konigsberg Official Paper states, that the ac-
counts received from various quarters of the breaking
out of the plague in Moldavia has been confirmed ;
only that the contagion does not spread towards the
Austrian frontiers in Gallicia, but towards Turkey and
the mouths of the Danube. The necessary measures
of precaution are adopted in Austrian Gallicia which
are connected with those ordered by Prussia.
A portly dame of forty, walking in f.er weeds at
Hampstead, was met by some Sunday bucks, who, on passing,
rudely observed," 7'kere's aetqi to tee " You mistake, tient:e-
aten, said the witty Lady," the shop is let, only the bill is nut yet
taker. down."
h:onday, as Mr. Joseph Revell (gamekeeper to the late Sir Wind-
sor Hunloke, Bart. of Wingerworth Hal!, near Chesterfield) and
two others, were cock-shooting in Heath Wood, near the village of
Wingerworth, one of them fired at a woodcock on it rising, when
the littentiou of one of the party w.s immediately attracted by the
circumstance of a wild duck flying from an oak tree close by, in
übich was an old crow's nest. The person who saw it fly waiver.
tair. it went direct from the nest ; the others would not believe it,
but at:pi:used the duck must have been flying past the trte at the
very nuacent the gun was fired. The contest between the parties
. beanie so warua, that our of them was 'determined to ascend the
tree and exartit.e thu nest, and. wondetful to relate, he found that
the aquatic fowl had taken possession of it, and that she had been
sitting for a length e,f time nu ito tenser than eight duck eggs. The
neat eggs were left in,snoksteti, and (if they have not frightened
berme 3510 tartNect her returning) they are determined to watch
her movements, to sec (when the period of animation arrives) by'
what means this sitiLular bird will convey her young from theii
aetial situation to the water, their nature/ dement.