Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-12-24

CENTRAL AFRIcA.-The last half of the
eighteenth century was perhaps more pro-
ductive of great men than any period that had
proceeded it. There was reason for this.
that the world will better see and appreciate
thousand years from this, than they can
now; yet we all perceive that it was an age
of great nen-great thinkers and great actors.
Remarkable among the learned of that day,
was the Swedish philosopher, Emanuel Swe-
denborg, who was not only celebrated when
he lived, but has become more and more SO
every day since he died. Along time since.
when nothing but curiosity prompted Pc
rusal Of some OF his writings, we were struck
by his description of the African character
and one statement Of his is thus given as a
fact There is at this day (about l770, a
revelation made to them, winch, having COM
meneed, goes from its region around, but not
yet to the seas" He afterwards describing
their religious theory, says that they despise
Europeans, and call ingenious wickedness
stupidity.
This seemed to US then, and. does now, to
be very queer statement; and we have al
ways watched all intelligence from the inter.
Tor of Africa, to see if it could be sustained.
Others have noticed it and it has been urged
as iuvalidating the testimony of the writer
'if there had been such a people-an inland
African nation-they would have been known;
as a scientific, civilized, or Christian people, as
we use these terms, but as nation simple in
their habits, truthful in their character, sin.
ere Ill their worship, and having some correct
ideas OF God. Such an affirmation, if it be
true, we might expect TO lrove. But before
we declare what is, or is not in Central Afri-
ca, we have much to learn. The e is vast
area, on which may be many millions of PEG
pie that tho white man 8 eye has never seen,
where the white u. an S feet have never u avel :.
led and what is the more suTprislngis, as we
advance inland, the scene constantly improves.
1t is elevated, healthy, fertile, we'll wateIed,
aud described as really delightful. SO with
the population they are more numerous, and
physically and mentally more elevated and
the last that have been discovered are quite adj
yanced in civilization. A central nation Of
pure morality might thus radiate from the
centre to the seas-the light Of the continent
Recently explorers, some OF them gwen up
"a lost tor long time. have returned from
their journeyings, giving wonderful accounts
Of their discoveries. One Of them Mr.. Bow.
en-, a missionary, says,--.a more beautiful
country can scarcely be found OH the globe
Its general character is that Of all undulating
prairie, adorned with scattering trees. The
ascent from the sea is scarcely dscernble." -
Ho then mentions, as he went inward, that
at one point he had attained an eievation oil
6S7 feet; and onward, PLAIN of 0S7 feet
and still further, 1900 feet adding
1T is mountainous country, yet when we
ascend mountain in any other part of the
interior, we see others all around us, some
solitary, others in groups'of three or four, and
Others in short chains. They rise abruptly
from the undulating table lands. The scenery
is very beautiful.
have 10 longer doubt as to the heathi-
ness OF tho interior. The air is dry and the
night warm. Missionaries nearer the coast
may here find place to regain their vigor,
without losing time to go home, and mourning
the dangers Of re.accliInalions, M did on my
return TO Africa.
Then Of the inhabitants; he says he reach
cd the great city Of "Illorin' -s'larger than