The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-01-27
rHn mrnR1oR OF AFRICA.

battling, and yet encouraging, the efforts
of travellers and scientific men to unravei
them-what surrounds the North Pole -
and what exists in the interior of Africa
The impenetrable mystery which, like
thick veil, shrouds both regions, gives to
each a character of romance, and clothes 1t
with an interest which stimulates inyestiga-
ton. The North Pole is surrounded by q
barrier of eternal ice, which locks its secret
in its frozen embrace, and seems to look
with chilling responsiveness upon the impoI-
tunate curiosity which seeks to peer through
the adamantine walls and view the jealous
Iy guarded mystery within. The interior
of Africa is enyironed by an equally forbid
ding aridity, redolent of frightful diseases
and fearful dangers, and encompassed, also,
by hordes of barbarians, whose bristling
speares and spikes prohibit the approach
of the white traveller, except at the peril OF
his life.
The open Polar See theory of DIR. Kane,
though unconfrmed. as yet, by actual facts,
is so accurately iointed and dovetailed by
scientific reasonmgs and deduction, as to
be almost certainty; and the future dis
covery of such sea is looked upon with
confidence. The existence of this sea is a
subject secondary in Importance to the
question. what is in it ! Is it only a waste
of waters, forever heaving YEARLY around
the pole. with no human eye to look on its
silent majesty Or, is it an archipelago, a
wilderness of islands, the watery bed OF
warm, green gems. grouped within rim OF
ice, inhabited by thousands of happy hu-
man beings who have no knowledge, and no
dream, even, of the mighty world without
These questions it is which add a charm to
the subject, and will continue to do so, un-
til some breach in the icy rampant be dis
unveiled realities within.
The burning heart of Africa still throbs,
unseen by civilized eyes; yet its secrets is
being gradually revealed. Slowly, but
surely, the circle of terrors which surrounds
it is being narrowed by the efforts of daring
travellers and courageous missionaries, and
every year brings with it some fresh discOv-
cry made by those brave men. Several
months ago, an English expedition penetrat-
ed by boats up the Niger river and its tri-
butaries, the Bnue and the Tshadda, to a
region never before explored, and brought
back knowledge of the natives and their
country of deeply interesting and valua-
BILE character. And now, scientific circles
are gratifcd by the return to England Of
DR.. Livingston, after wandering in Africa
period of sixteen years.
DIR. Livingston went out to Africa as a
missionary, but awaited himself of the OPP
portunity which a long residence in that
country afforded, of gathering much valua-
bic geographical and astronomical knowl-
edge. Starting from Cape Town, the brave
missionary went northward beyond Lake
Ngami, and thence westward till he reach
ed the Atlantic coast, at Loanda. Return
ing, partially by the same route, he again
reached the Lake Ngami, whence he direct
ed his steps eastward, and reached the op-
posite coast at the mouth of the Zambeze
rivers, having twice traversed the African
continental feat never before performed.
1t was journey of per:ls. His body was
torn, and his arm broken on one occasion,
by lion, which an unoffending Christian
missionary alone saved him from death, a
hundred times, at the hands of barbarians.
The public will await with much anxiety
the report of DR.. Livingston's travels.
AMERICAN PECULIARITIEs.- CORES
pondent of the London Athenaum, writing