Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-07-27
The Achievements OF Stanley and
Other African Explorers.

HE Ach1eveTncntS Oh Stin,cy hhu
Other African Explorers.
Being complete History of Stanley's
Explorations i'll Africa; together with a
concise account of the late explorations
by Baker, Cameron and others. by
Hon. j. II. Headley. Hubbard Bros,
Philadelphia, Chicago, Cincinnati and
Springfield.
No recent event has excited deeper
and more widespread interest in the
country, than the brilliant achievement
of Henry NJ. Stanley, in the field OF AT
rican Exploration. Ever since the an
nouncement of his arrival, in iamished
condition, at the mouth of the Congo,
the public have eagerly awaited de-
tailed account of his thrilling experien-
ccs, and the results of his discovery.
The announcement therefore OF this vol
ume, from the pen of so brilliant and
popular an author as Mr. j. Il. Headley.
will be received with lively interest a!,d
satisfaction, and this interest will be
greatly heightened by an examination Of
the book itself.
Since the death of Livingston, the
work of exploration i'll the regions
which he last visited, has been pushed
with great vigor. Sir Samuel w. Ba-
ker with small army and under royal
authority, assembled the Nile, aud was
the first European TO penetrate from the
north into the great Central Lake re-
gion. Lieut.. Cameron. of the English
ROYAL Navy, reached the same region
from the east, and then pushed ACROSS
the Continent overland, TO the western
coast, aud last and greatest Of al, the
daring and intrepid Stanley, breaking
through the barriers which had proved
insuperable to all former explorers, in
the face of thousand perils 6y savages,
cataracts, disease, wild beast and star
walton, forced his way down the dark
river, 25O0 miles, and solved the great
mystery by proving the Lualaba river
discovered Livingstone to be verify
the headwaters OF the mighty Congo,
thus opening grand highway from the
west coast TO the heart and treasures Of
one of the most populous aud produc-
tive continents of the globe.
The author first gives concise &C
count of Baker and Cameron's expedi-
tons, because a knowledge of what they
accomplished is essential 10 a clear APP
prehension of the momentous import
ance of Stanley's work. He has thereby
added greatly to the interest and value
OF the book, for these expeditions, in
romantic interest, thrilling adventure
and scientific importance, are second
only 10 that of the more daring and sue
cessful American.
He then gives complete and detailed
history OF Stanleys incompatible feat,
which has produced such au immense
sensation, both in this country and in
Europe, and more intensely interest
ing and exciting narrative we have new
er read We can no more than hint at
the details of this narrative. To follow
the brave Stanley in his marvellous voy
age down the unknown river, fighting
thirty-two battles with man. eating saw
ages, and passing 6fiy-seven catatacts
and rapids, to read of the desertion of a
large number of his party panic-stricken
at the terrors of the forest; of threaten
ed starvation in the middle of the great
river whose banks were filed with hos
tile sayages; of daily horrors aud griefs
at the loss of comrades in tie passage
of falls and rapids; of enormous labor in
hewiug miles OF road through dense
forest and jungle to make passage
around impossible cataracts; of the vast
Wonderland bordering this mighty
river, rich in ivory, minerals and fruits,
where "Euery prospects pleases and on
~ man is Uiie;" to learn all the incl
dents and adventures of this marvellous
journey, and of the grand ovations
which have met the indomitable Amer
lean at every point of his homeward
Journey, one must follow the thrilling
pages of this book.
The publishers deserve great praise
for the superb manner in which they
have brought out the work. The beau
ty of its biography and binding and
the number and excellence of engray-
ings, are in keeping with its value and
character. Undoubtedly it will be more
extensively read than any other book OF
the year.