The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-05-31
THE SOURCE OF THE NILE.


-~~~~~~~~~~-~~~-~~~-
solution OF the Oldest Problem Known to
ltzation--Discovery of the Source or
the Niie--A Large Lake Near the Equa.
tor.
Our attentive correspondents in Egypt has forwarded 10
us extra for Buetino Sraordnario) Of the Sped
Eg:aao published at Alexandria, under date OF the 7th
instant containing full particulars than have else
the White Nile by Messrs Speke and Grant the intrepid
English explorers The fact that sach discovery had
been made teegraphed from aiexaadria 70 London
at the same time that this extra feared and some
iei notices have appeared the English Journals but
are grataed TO be able to lay before rsadars
more particular account In the chasaciersic phrase Of
The containing this news as shown by the post
marks, reached Boston In only nineteen days from Alex
andra although by unfortunate mistake In the Bos
ton Post ofce, IL delivered untyesterday
two days after It's arrival We believe however, that
the Intelligence has not been anticipated by any other
From the Egyptian Spectator. Extra--rranslation.]
lowing communication, which we hasten 70 lay before
readers and the public generally TO announce the great
holden 70 two courageous English travellers.
We promise TO lay before readers detailed 10
formation as soon as We are enabled TO obtain It.
Here great news. Spoke and Grant, the intrepid
English travellers, overcoming all obstacles, crossing
"underD the line reached Kondogoro and thence
approaching this place. II almoet dream Their
portfolios undoubtedly contain the solution Of the great
problem that has puzzled from the remotest antiqui
iy. viz: the discovery of the source Of the Nile. we
yet spoken with them but leave
them an ovation If at the following station we obtain
further details we will hasten to communicate them.
add another line about Spoke and Grant knowing the
immense interest that you all feel in those matters.
Spoke says but little, forlwo reasons-First because,
like true descendent OF John Bull he Is naturally tact
turn; second, because he Is only familiar with
language and precisely the one that none OF us know
any thing about We can CLEAN but few Ineligible
from Of the interpreters who attempts TO make
US understand him in species Of Arabic paois.
From his answers We learn that the Nile springs from
Lake Victoria be processes have circumnav
and found to be very extensive. That k0ndogoro five
so%e from ron s ns IN the
OF the lake which he says Is tho source Of the Bahr
Bad, or White Nile. y.t
only seventeen remain. The number greatly dimn
shed by desertion; others ost by sickness and
relate marvellous things Of the sub equatorial re-
gions, and above all report large quantities OF ivory
pshed their purpose without meeting the UNHAPPY fate
Now would be the time for the Egyptian government
TO make effort 70 anticipate others in the WORK
OF discovering and digging up these immense treasures
now they could do themselves with all the profit and
win be understood thu. Captain Spoke entered Africa
from the Eastern coast about two years ago. and now
comes down the river Nle'
Captains Spoke and Grant have discovered tho answer
s S ns *. :1 o
the Ne," said the Father Of HIstory than 800
al % with
Greeks who proessed 10 have any knowledge, except
single person. whose story was Enthusiastically. Cesar
reported 10 have said that he would abandon warke
purposes he might have certain hope Of seeing tho
sources Of the Nile. Horace alludes to
Fontium qui ceat orignes
And Tibullus, stil fourteen hundred years ago, asks
Nile pater quauam 10 deere causaf
Aut quibus in terris accolusse capntY ~ 4
II long since ascertaned by travellers ascending
ns q ro n nS
respectively The White Nile and the Blue Nile Below
this confluence the Nile lows fifteen hundred miles into
the Mediterranean and with tho exception OF single
unmportant tributary resolves nowhere single drop
OF water while is fruitful source OF supply
The sources Of the Blue Nile, three springs In north
ats ten degrees, were ascertaned by the Portuguese
Jesuit, Father Lobo and afterwards by Bruce but those
Of the White Nile have hitherto dsned discovery Browne
penetrated far north latitude degrees Iinant
Ieaks baied in their efforts, declared that an armed
force would be TO subdue the great extent OF
far as Of ana g.
nearly as high The former obliged to return bv
reaching shoals which could not be crossed by bis boats
ploraons ceased 823 feet wide "broad surrounded
by high reeds the banks the says) 70 be Of soft
convolvuus moss, water thises and kind q hempin
which the yellow ambac tres ourshes, hung round with
luxursnt deep yellow creepers" The river SEEMED 70
The latest expedition In this direction to discover the
Of
Of Connecticut lost his life last year the manner here
tofore recorded In these columns. Dr. Brownes death
occurred In north latitude Is degrees. The fate of
Petherck and his compan ions lie unknown.
Meanwhile Captains Speke and Grant entered the in
terror OF Africa from the Eastern coast left Zanzibar
September 25 1sG0, TO prosecute discoveries In the In
terror On tho 18th instant printed an accent de
rived from Mr.. Goodhue United States Vice Consul al
Zanzibar, stating that they had last been heard from
April H. 1902 "a year ago that is) In latitude degree
80 minutes south that they had been thwarted in their
progress down river which they had discovered and
which they believed TO be the rst certain branch OF the
Nile,
We now hear Of them the other end OF their Journey
which has been crowned with complete SUCCESS. II az
pears that the adventurous travellers have indeed pene
be large lake, and 20 this thoy loyalty given the
OF Victoria Having made this discovery the little
band OF explorers reduced from seventy seventeen
have sailed down the rver-the rsndest voyage ever
known 10 eeographer their approach Khartum Is
reported in the letter which print There
Is some obscnrty In the account With regard
the position OF the lake the strict srnse
Of the original (which translation faithfully foIows)
would place II as far north degrees north atI.
tude but previous dscovcrers have followed the river
least six degrees further SOUTH suspect that there
Is some inr ccuracy In the report in this respect
II has been given 10 the present 10 solve this inter-
esng geographic problem also that Of the northwest
paseage and although In neither do the discoveries
which have been made promise much practical advan-
tase 10 Mankind cannot but fectste ourselves that
the domain OF knowledge has been enlarged by persistent
and Intelligent efIort
Obituary.