New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-01
THE ROMANCE OF TRAVEL.


nave Oecn fansdChcu Oy curiosity anu ~
venture Exploration has laid through them
the broad highways of science, and Com
merce and Religion have followed TO setuP
their strongholds and light the hearth-fres
of Civilization. But Africa remains I'M
known, III gh for centuries eager and daring
travellers have again and again sought to
penetrate her secret. The richest of all
the Continents in soil, vegetable produc-
tons, and probably in minerals, the very
fertility which will one day yield an in
estimable return to industry, now loads the
esrth with pestilent miasms from decaying
vegetation, while the sluggish and marshy
rivers are prolific Of diseases fatal to Eu-
ropeans. At the same time, the slave,
trade and the wars kept up to supply it.
have rendered the naturally friendly and
con6ding natives Jealous of every foreigner.
and thus have caused the death Of many Q
generous and benevolent traveller. But all
these hindrances are gradually being van
pushed, and many years will not elapse
before the mystery of Africa is explained.
Then we shall know where are the ever-rc-
ceding fountains of the Nile, and whetherit
be true, as is said by some writers, that there
is a white civilized race residing in the
very heart of that gorgeous tropical region
where the vicinity of lofty mountains tenn
pers the exuberance of soil and climate
and renders the air healthful and delicious
without diminishing anything of the unap-
proachable richness and beauty Of Ma
ture.
Meanwhile, the narratives of travellers
who contribute to clear up the problems
connected with Africa, form one OF the
most interesting chapters in the whole
range of modern adventure. There Is
something chivalric and admirable In these
men who thus devote themselves to ends
free from every faint of selt-interest,
whether they are impelled by the desire to
extend the boundaries of knowledge or en-
large the territory of Christianity. One
of the most wise and successful hes ust
returned to Europe in order to prepare tor
new expedition. We speak of DR.. Knob
lecher, German Missionary who holds tho
rank of Vicar in the Catholic Church.
He has been further into Soudan than any
previous traveller, having penetrated on the
White Nile, or Bahr as that
river is called in Arabic, to within four de-
grees of the Equator. The following MARIA
tive of his experiences and observations.
and of the scientific results of his Journey
has been condensed from his journal and
from oral communications by German
savan, evidently quite competent to tho
task, of whose essay we make full YER
sion. 1t will be found interesting by
readers of every class, and opens up views
with reference to Africa, which we have
not here the space to develop. The
following is our translation;
The greatest. hindrances against penetrating in
to the interior of Africa not the dangers ofthe
climate nor the difficulties in the navigation Of so
irregular stream as the Babr-el Abiad, which ID
hostility of the pagan negroes, nor the bravery OF
the tribes which dwell toward the south, bat the
violent and cruel character, the faithlessness.
treachery and greed of the Turks Of SEMINAR. who
are well known to the blacks in the capacity Of
traders and robbers. In Africa scarce a trace
seems to be left OF the fidelity Of this to their
word as well as their religion which has been so
much exaggerated as peculiarly OF the Osman-
is. Ingrained habits Of violence and long contact
with Egyptians and Arabians have utterly corrupt
ed the Turkish character in these regions All
the pagan negroes who live beyond the frontiers
of the Egyptian Pachalic even the Shiouks, tho
Zhrs and the b ors were once harmless and peace
ful, and not unfriendly toward the whites until
they had learned to hate them on account Of the
brutal plunderngs and kidnappings Of the Turks.
The Turkish boatmen, who go every year to the
negro country to trade glass pearls Tor ivory gold
dust and slaves are also the sworn enemies OF the
educated and disinterested uropean Explorer
They know that they cannot carry on their pro
fesson in his presence with the usual open
vilainy they fear his oversight, and that he Will
report their rascalities to the PaDhas According
w. they seek by every trick in their power to him
der all friendly intercourse between the blacks
and Europeans
Dr. Knoblechers Journal contains some rensrks-
bic details as to these secret hindrances We
will hereafter refer to them. The plan OF tho
Vicar was to visit the Bary Country, and, If posi-
bic, to establish there a missionary station. he
had partly learned the Barry language from
young black Of that tribe at Chartoum. The
only suitable month for travelling into the negro
countries is November, on account OF the regularL
ty Of the north wind and the favorable state OF the
water. About this time the Pacha OF SEMINAR
usually sends off his trading boats On NOV i''