The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-04
France I'm the Heart Of Africa.
tParis Correspondel

tParis Correspondence.l
The Republican Government and Re
publican France appear determined to
open up commercial relations on an ex-
tensivc scale with Central Africa. 1t is
proposed among other schemes to run
railway firm Algeria to the Soudan, and
now the Republique Franchise announces
that NM. Zweifel and Moustier, repre-
senting the house of Verminck, at Mar
se;lles, have reached the sources of the
Niger. The Republique is the more de-
lighted because this feat was accom-
plished without the aid OF the Govern
ment. "What an example," it cries,
"for our county, whose activity has so
often been hampered by red tape" On
the other hand the Figaro is engaged in
publishing the "Travels in Equatorial
Africa" by Comte de Semelle, who, how
ever had a Government commission.
The Count appears to have ascended
the Niger in spite of the rapidity of its
current and the rocks which rendered
navigation difficult even for steamer.
At BousIa, where these. rapids COM
menced, and which is known to English
men as the spot where Mungo Park and
his party were believed to have been
massacred, the Count was assured that
the English traveller did lot meet his end
as is generally supposed. Ismael, the
chief who commands at Boussa as trib-
utary of the Sultan of Bidda, told the
following tale: "The traveller, who started
from Rio Nunez, rejoined the Niger at
81, where he purchased some canoes in
which he intended to redescend the river
to its mouth. Although wanting re-
sources, he exhibited great energy, and
hoped to accomplish his voyage in safety.
"Like myself, he had been very we'll re-
ceived along the Upper Niger, and he
reached Roussa with three noes. At
Boussa, in spite of the advice given him
to change his canoes, in consequence of
the rapids he obstinately determined to
continue his course as he was; and the
consequence was that his frail construc-
tions were soon broken against the rock,
and he and his men disappeared in the
river" "And," adds the Count, 81 can
affirm that the best swimmer would be
drowned if he fell into these rapids"
I,mael was exceedingly indignant that
his people should have been accused of
having assassinated Mungo Park The
Counts tale of how he was received by
the Sultan Amrou at Bidda is highly in
teresting. The chapter is headed, "Mon
ami le Sultan Amrou."
The Sultan, powerful man. lives in
an immense palace resembling fortress.
He said to the Count: "This is the first
time that l see man of your race. !
have heard very different versions con-
'erning your country. Thus, the English
have always said in the interior that the
French were their ancient slaves; but !
have learned by an emissary from AL.
geria that the French people are as great
and as powerful as the English people
This is why l have always been aston.
ished not to see Frenchman here" The
Sultan then promised to give him letters
and to aid him in every possible way tc
accomplish his mission. The Count sale
he was very much fattered; that thu
Sultan was right in supposing the French
to be great people; that they were hon
est, brave, loyal, and that dealing
with them never occasioned danger OF
sorrow. ..
He then presented to Amrou bales O.
silk, cotton and muslin goods, which thu
French Sultan had sent as present t
the Sultan of Bidda, adding, "you see tina
they are as fine, if not finer than thos'
which come from England" The Coun
also presented Amrou with a flint mus
ket, who was enchanted with TIN
presents. M. De Semelle was very much
struck by the fertility of the countr,
round Bidda, which he says produce
vegetable-butter, palm-oil, maize, wa,
and honey, and is "marrelously and ad
mirably cultivated" The wax ant
honey, he explains, come from tree
Before arriving at Boussa, the country
according To the Count, is of incompara
be wealth and beauty, the banks Of tn
Niger being covered with innumerabl
villages, which almost touch each other
At De Quipo he found at English mis-
sion, and at Omingui three Englisl
: manufactures.