The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-10-21
Stanley's Explorations i'm Africa,

| IHE latest contribution to the worlds
knowledge Of interior Africa is letter
from 1.-THE gentleman who found Living.
stone" published yesterday by the New
York Herald But it is interesting rather
as an account of the progress, pluck, suf-
tering, peril and fighting of a brave body
OF men IN wild country than as a scien-
tlflc paper. 1t adds nothing of positive
value to geographical data. Thus far
Stanley has traversed over again the coun-
try which Speke and Grant and Baker and
Livingstone have with greater or less mi
nuteness described. He has taken a diff
lerent route from lnianjembe to the Victo-
ria N'yanza from that pursued by DR..
| Livingstone, but the cost of the experiment
| is poorly balanced by the acquisitions so
far as they are detailed. A hostile tribe
was encountered and four days of fighting
sadly reduced the numbers of the expedi-
| tion. Stanley left the coast with 300 men,
and before reaching the N'yanza he had
lost by battle, disease and dcsertion 1876
| Of his number. AT the date of his letter,
March l, there were 166 remaining. This
letter is merely preliminary, 1t is the
record of doings and sutferings in the
work OF reaching the real base of opera
tions. 1t is not disappointment, there
fore, nor anything to the discredit
of Stanley's undertaking that as yet
he is unable to report many new
discoveries. By the departure from the old
route to Victoria N'yanza he found Il river
he was not previously acquainted with,
and in Crimi a tribe of people not before
reported. These he speaks of as remark
able for their manly beauty, noble proper
tons and nakedness." They were, withal,
a suspicious people, and 10th to have any
thing to do with the strangers. The best
word said Of them is that they respected
their elders, and acquiesced in any treaty
or recommendations the old people ap-
proved Besides these two discoveries
Stanley gained an experience by the way
that may prove valuable. He encountered
different types of the natives, and learned
that some could be treated with and others
must be shot; he saw his men succumb
to diseases Of various character ;he encoun
tered danger from thirst and from hunger,
and surmounted all with patience, courage
and endurance. Indeed, the most instruct
i've lessons to be CLEANED from his report
are found in contemplating the hcroism
and devotion Of the little band and the
stout heart of its leader. Through 720
miles of Wilderness, broken by marsh
and mountain and river, peopled with
savage animals and beings Of human
shape but often savage natures; losing
here man by disease, there another
by desertion, and again score or
more by the arrows and spears Of
savages; living part of the time on cruel,
part of the time on lions meat and most
of the time on what could be found on the
way-through all these experiences young
Stanley arrived at the Victoria N'yanza
undismayed and eager to start anew into
new dangers, with a firm purpose to
achieve new discoveries. Supplement
the statement that he marched from
Bagomaya to Kagehyi, 720 miles, in 103
daysn with thought of the obstacles in the
way and the sufferings endured, and no
one can withhold admiration for the
achievement and congratulation on the
success. Henry M. Stanley is aot as
learned in science as some who have pre-
ceded him into the wilds of Africa, but in
enthusiasm, in devotion to the interests
involved, in sclf-denial, courage, pluck
and determination he has proved himself
second to none That he may accomplish
all that he hopes for and all that is hoped
of him will be the wish of all who read
his wilderness tales.
We know now where Stanley was on
the 1st of March. Fast mail facilities are
not at his disposal. What he has done in
the intervening months, whether he lives,
has met success or failure, are questions
that may not be answered in many
months-Utica IN. ~ Herald.