The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-12-25

tween it and the Nile would thus he re-
moved DIR. Livingstone was directed to
settle this question, to ascertain the altitude
OF the Tanganyika and the direction of it's
drainage, and to determine the nature of
the whole watershed of this part of Africa
How much he had done towards this in
July OF last year, the interesting despatch
to Lord Clarendon which was read before
the Geographical Society clearly shows, and
there seems to be but little doubt that dur
ing the sixteen months that have elapsed
since he wrote, he has completed the great
work which he undertook.
At the time of writing his despatch, DR..
Livingstone had not reached the Tanganyi-
ka, but he had found a chain of lakes to
the south which drained towards the north.
and, as he believed, through the Tanganyi-
ka into the Nile. These lakes are fed by
numerous rivers Of considerable size, and
should they prove to be the head-waters of
the Nile, we must look for the sources of
the mighty river at least four hundred
miles south of the most southerly point of
the Victoria N'yanza, The river Cham
bese seems to connect these lakes with
each other and with the Tanganyika, and
the whole volume of water which they
contain in all probability finds its way into
the Nile. We must wait for further informa-
ton before we can say positively that these
lakes and rivers are within the basin of the
Nile, but there is every probability that the
opinions which have been expressed in favor
of this hypothesis will soon be verified
Meanwhile we cannot but feel extremely
interested in the descriptions which Dr.
Livingstone gives of the places which he
has visited, and which prove that in the
region now opened up for the first time
there are spots as beautiful and as blessed
by nature as anything that we can imagine
Speaking of Lake Liemba, one Of the chain
which he has discovered, DR.. Livingstone
tells us that sit lies in hollow, with pre-
cipitous sides 1000 feet down; it is ex-
tremely beautiful, sides, TOP, and bottom
being covered with trees and other yegeta-
ton. Elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes
feed on the steep slopes, while hippopotami,
and crocodiles, swarm in the waters. Guns
being unknown, the elephants, unless some
times deceived into a pitfalI, have it all
their own way. 1t is as perfect a natural
paradise as Xenophon could have desired.
On two rocky islands men till the land, rear
goats, and catch fish the villages ashore
arc embowered in the palm-oil palms of the
West Coast of Africa" Livingstone's pres
ent journey has only confirmed what was
brought to light in his previous travels, viz:
That instead of the interior of Africa being
sandy desert, as was formerly thought it
is really rich in vegetation, and studded
with lakes. But there is another fact
which DIR. Livingstone has discovered in
connection with Lake Liemba, and which
goes far towards outweighing all others in
importance. The altitude of this lake the
Doctor ascertained to be 2,S40 feet, thus
showing that Speke's observations were
incorrect, and that Mr.. Findlay wa. prob
ably right in saying Spoke had made
mistake of abont 1000 feet in his calcula-
tions. But we must wait until DR.. Living
stone comes home for the detailed 1nforma-
ton which will enable geographers to pro-
nounce their final .judmement on the Nile
question. If the great explorer traces the
lake system which he has discovered into |
the Tanganyika, and should find on arriv-
ing at Uiiji the stores and medicines sent
there for his use, he will proceed to the
northern end of the lake, and perhaps fol-
low its affiuent. Sir Frederick Murchison
thinks he will return to Zanzibar after hav-
ing ascertained the direction of the drain
age of the Tanganyika, but Captain Sherard |
Osborn considers that he will probably fol- |
low the outlet, and see for himself whether
it flows into the Albert N'yanza, and thence !
into the Nile. In the latter case, DR.. Liv-
ingstone would, in all likelihood, meet Sir |
Samuel Baker, and the result of this meet
ing would be to clear up the great mystery
which, for centuries, has shrouded the |
head-waters of the Nile.