The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-10-14
what Stanley Has Discovered IN Africa.

The two letters which have been received
by the Nclc York Herald and the London
Daily Telegraph from Mr.. Henry NJ. STAN
LEY. the commander of the Anglo-Ameri-
can expedition organized by those news
papers for the exploration of the Nile
sources, are interesting contributions to
geogi aphical science. Their value is great
ly impaired, however, by Mr.. SrANLEY's
obvious lack OF literary talent and skill US
a reporter which seems TO render neces-
sary some clearer statement OF his achieve
ments.
In central Africa, Immediately under
the equator lie two immense lakes. SIDE
by side, known TO Eoographers us the
Victoria and Albert N'yanZas, and dis
covered respectively by Capt. joins HAN
MING >PEkE aud Sir SAMUEL BAKER. The
term n yanza is an African word, signi-
flying II lake or eXpause of water These
lakes are connected by Il westward flow
ing river, called the Somerset or Victoria
Nile, running out of the Victoria N'yauXa,
into the more western Albert y yauza,
whose northern outlet Is positively known
to be the White Nile itself. What STAN
LEY has discovered Is the fact that the
Victoria N'yanza, the most remote source
of the Nile actually known to be such.
Is in reality an inland sea instead of an
aggregation of small lakes, as some ex-
plorers have supposed. or a mere marshy
tract, as has been conjectured by a few
geographcrs.
The first successful attempt al the explo-
ration of this region was made in 1857,
when Capt. SPIKE aud Capt. RICHARD F.
BCRToN set out from Zanzibar toward the
interior. They made their way to Lake
Tanganyika, where BURTON remained,
while SPEKE proceeded on an excursion to
the northeast, in the course Of which he dis
covered the Victoria N'yanza, first catch
ing sight Of II waters from the southern
extremity, in July, 1858, close TO the spot
whence STANLEY's letters are dated. He
subs equently explored its western shores,
being accompanied by Capt. j. A. GRANT
OF the British army, with whom he dis
covered its outlet, the Victoria Nile, which,
however, they did not trace down to the
Albert lake.
The success of SPEKE in finding this
sheet of water which he described as so
extensive, and boldly assumed TO be the
true. source Of the Nile, aroused the joal-
ousy of his former companion, Capt.
BURTON, to an astonishing degree. BUR-
TON is an experienced traveller, of excep-
tional nttainments rs linguist and man
| of letters, but hard-headed, rough, and
upreGned. lie attacked SPEKE's geogTa-
ply and ridiculed his lake, but the cor
rcctness of the one and the existence of
| the other were indicated in a series of
able articles contributed TO BldckWOOdS
Magazine by Mr.. LAURENCE OLTPHANT.
At this time, however, Burrows conduct
toward his old associate had become al
most brutal. Capt. SPEKE was killed by
the accidental discharge Of his gun while
out shooting after his return to England
! This melancholy occurrence took place
near Bath during the meeting of the
British Association at that city in 1864
when SPEKEs geographical views We're
expected to excite vigorous hostile crti-
cism aud BURTON did not hesitate To sug-
| gest that il was in fact the suicide of dis
appointed explorer. Ii Is just TO add that
of late years Capt. BURTON has manifested
some sense OF shame for his infamous at
African travellers.
If we may believe Mr.. STANLEY, the truth
sustains SPEKEs assertions and even his
suggestions founded on native infOrma-
ton, in every material particular. The
present expedition marched from the east
ern coast of Africa to the lake. distance
of about seven hundred and fifty miles, in
one hundred and three days, with loss of
! one hundred aud eighty -one men from