The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1855-11-22
irtom the New York Evening po.tl

HOrlu hltncfto almost UNKNOWN, WnpR ~ hhs
ny jealous laborers in the cause of science
have previously persisted, it has PLEASED Provi'
dence 10 allow this great IMAM 10 reach his ma
tive land in SAFETY,
Henry Bsrth was born in Hamburg, Of hum
BILE parentagc. on the 10th Of April, ls2l---
He entered the High School OF Berlin at
eighteen years Of agc and devoted himself
more particularly TO the study Of geography
and antiquarian research. When student at
the University, he visitei Italy and Sicily and
during his stay in those countries resolved upon
visiting the entire basin Of the Mediterranean
When be had completed his University course
h. made arrangements for extensive travel thro
the southern part OF Africa.
With this intention, he embarked al Mar
scil,s for Spain, traysrsei this country TO I'll
bralter and commenced his African researches
at Tangiers. in Morocco lie went then TO Al
giers and the interior Of 'Iuns, countries sell
dom visited by Europeans, entered the Moham-
me,lan town of Kiruan and thoroughly explored
ed the surrounding country. which Afforded him
great amount ofvaluable scientific matter. =
He followed the coast Of North Africa as hr
as Tripoli, crossed the Sandy Desert TO tae com
mercial town Of Bengasi, then to Derneh and
thence set out on his journey TO the valley OF
the Nile. Everywhere along the southern
shore Of the Mediterranean he found distinct ira
ces Of formerly industrious. agricultural popu-
laton, and the clearcst proofs that great activi-
ity and industry prevailed u, one time in these
countries, inhabited now by savage popula-
ton
Before crossing the frontiers Of Egypt, he
was waylaid by robbers, stripped Of everything
he possessed antssevcrely wounded; what pain
ed him most was the loss of his notes and jour.
nal Those. however. relating 10 the first part
Of his travels, lac had fortunately brought in
safety to Malta from Tunis. In Egypt he as
ceDded the Nile rs far as the Cataracts Of Wa
iii Halla, and from Asuan, famous for its har-
Dor under the Ptolemes he crossed the desert
to the Ruins of Berenice. soon afterwards We
find the indefatigabe explorer on the coasts of
Of Syria. in Cilicia. and in the Isle of Cyprus.
Passing through Pamdhylia and Lyca, he Wis
its the Isle .ot Rhodes. and finally reaches Con
stantinople by way OF lonia, Lydia, Eolia.
Troas and Bythina This was the end Of his
dangerous. but in the highest degree merto
rious journey, for which, out OF his private
means, he spent $4,000, the scientific result Of
which he has partly communicated in his Ira
vels On the Coasts Of the Mediterranean during
the years ls4j, &c and A.
Alter his return home he established hni-
self in Berlin, to give lectures in the Univer-
sty, and write the second part OF his Travels
This scientific lecture was broken in upon 10y
the invitation to take q long journey into the
interior OF Africa.
1t was OF peculiar Importance TO England,
for the extension Of her commerce, TO obtain
more precise information, concerning the in
terror Of Sudan, especially concerning Wadai,
Bagharmi and Boran, the present circum-
stances of the countries under the dominion Of
the Fellans, and concerning the western region
"a far as the Upper Niger. The English in
1ucnce had long been established at Tripo!a,
and British vice consul had long been resi-
dent at Mursuk IN the Fcssen Oasis; at X uka,
too, a British agent had once been established.
The object now was to explore the route
through the Desert, aud discover more perfect
ly the northern approaches to Central Sudan.
Richardson WAS chosen To carry this project
into effect. He was already acquainted with
Africa from personal observation but utterly
wanting in scientific knowledge.
From this choice it is evident that the En-
glsh government had n view To the inter ests
of commerce much more than TO those OF
science; aud their further proceedings fully
confirm the adoption Of this opinion.
August Pctcrman, who was living IN Lon
dju at this time. and TO whom the English
ought to be thankful for many profitable sng-
expedition should be ma ie adsantageou' 20
science. and hat the imperiectly educated Eng
lshman should be accompanied by an able Gre
man Of learning and scientific attachments. The
Prussian ambassador. Bunsen obtained leave
by his interference. that the two distinguished
scholars Ovcrwcg and Barth. then in Berlin,
should join the expedition. and thus give 1t a
scientific character. Bat England apprupria'-
e,i no money towards the arrangement; Ger
many suppii,., ;..c ;ica o: -elcucr, aud bore
the expense also. The Biographical Society
Of Berlin granted thousand dollars the Ply
steal Society Of konigsbcrg Eljo, and the
King OF Prussia, who took the most lively in
,ercs, in the enterprise, made a donation Of a
similar sum. Barth declared that be was
ready to make the journey at his own expense;
England granted for Bsrih AID oyeTwes
journey to Fcssan. the sum Of fl0n. aud q
similar Insignificant sum for the journey thence
- kaka ~ Boruu.
In the middle 81 November, SAG. Barih and
Overweg kit Berlin. landed a, PhilipYeyillo, in
Agcrs in December, proce'sifd 20 iunia and
Tripod and thence ON the 23i March. at oul
upon their Journey into the inicriur in company
with Eicharilon On New Years day, l-il
they found themselves on the border 81 The
Desert 81 sahara, and entered the vell-watere,
and wooded country Of Nigriiia. ON the lti
January the thre-- travellers SEPARATED IN Da
mergu Richardson wanted to take an easter
" direction throagh -.Dier Ia EAa, tbs prIh
cipal town of Bornu Overweg ,nrsd bis ~ =
westward to Gub-r and Mariadi, north d roA
katu. and Barth choec the southern route q
kashna and Kano. Richardson di"l 90 ib
ith M1rch a, | nguritla, in Bonm -Barth ssVst
his Journals Ovrrwcg ATTAINED hi- obj"ci, ais
vas received in thu most friendly vay 10y tho IN
habitanis ~ Mariadi !; vas the hr-t Egrc
r.au who ever succss-bsi in getting tiiere.
Barth came 30 Hsussa entered the Fel.ai
kingd1m Of Sokkstn and passed through X ASH
IA 10 kano. ,hc grsate~t COMMERCIAL town u
Central Africa. which b has dsrritsrl "a h
~Ioosioa Of -adsn And q much NOR impor,
anc,, than even Tmbuctoo. From tbeDce b
a. Travelled TO h aks on Lake T.chad, Hhsre b
met overweg and where they both fGDd q mo-
ho~pi,able reccptlou. Barth', nDeaH' werr cor
pgeteiy exhausted there bE; h. found freFid !
The vixir q Borun. vbo bn; him 500, at
which b. Was cI.ahsd 70 pas Ricfaf'ia''n -
wants Will, Ovrrweg was examining lAk
T.chad frum kuka, BaF1h pasled 90 sogia 8
Na,a Ia tn AlamaDa country aid ai-COyrff-