The New York herald., 1879-09-05
Gathering Of Celebrated Afri-
can Explorers.
PINTO, BRAzZA. CAMERON.
Speech OF the Great Portuguese
Explorer.
LONDON. August 10. 1873.

delivered the address in the geographical section
his object being to place In clear light the objects
and aims of geographers. and the position which
their science held relatively with reference the
other sciences. and positively distinct body of
knowledge with defined limits. -
Referring TO the important subject of exploration
Mr. Markham said in spite Of all that had recently
been done in Africa, there was vast unknown
tract yet to be discovered. In Asia. in New
Guinea, in Sumatra and Borneo and in South
America wide regions were also unexplored,
and, above ALL the greatest problem Of this age
awaited solution in the far North, and would cal
forth the best scientific ability and all the
highest qualities Of naval explorers. It most
important that there should exist in England he
said the ready means Of furnishing the necessary
training to such explorers and the subject had
Gently received serious consideration from the Coun.
Gil Of the Royal Geographical Society who had re-
solved that course Of instruction should be sup.
piled for the society to all who about to visit
unknown, or little known countries. and who de-
sired such training as preliminary measure Tho
present arrangement was to give such instruction
would enable the pupil to fix positions by asro-
nomical observations. and to lay down his route by
this was only beginning. and it was to be hoped
that in duo time such of instruction would
be provided would enable intelligent traveller
to observe with scientific accuracy and to bring
home really valuable results in various branches Of
industry. It very desirable. he said. that tn q
resolution OF the Geographical Society shouts bs
. widely known. because incalculalle good might bs
done to the cause of geography by system which
would have the effect Of making every traveller Q
scientific and intelligent observer.
sKRPA PINTO.
The subject of African discovery brought be-
fore the geographical section in practical way by
three eminent explorers, who have each contributed
greatly to our knowledge OF the ozark Continent.
ia no Very n n1nr ka-
that those interested In the great sentiment to which
much attention has of late been directed have the
chance Of seeing together one platform
plorers Of the renown OF Major Serpa Pinto. Le
Come Savorgnan de Brazza aud Commander
three OF the European countries-Portugal. France
and Britan-that have been foremost il the work OF
president Mr. Markham, introduced Major Pinto
and Comte Brazza, and referred particularly to the
great services which the Portuguese explorer had
rendered to geographical science by the ID
servations he had never failed to make IN evory
place which he had passed through except when he
was actuslly down with fever. 1t was some disap-
pointn ont to hear that the Major did not to
read his own paper the president stating that he
felt disinclined to try his English before SO large
the hands OF one OF the secretaries. Mr.. q. Z. ID.
Black. who did it every justice. The title of the
paper given in the journal was, "a journey Across
Africa from Benguela to Natal but that was altered
subsequently, to the more restricted subject. "The
Upper Basin of the Zainbesi." By way OF introduc.
tion the Major. with pardonuble pride. reminded his
hearers that the Portuguese had ever taken greut
the promontory OF Sagreg the first geographical
cety that existed in the world had its seat. II
there. too, that the Infnnte DHenrique uttered
to his followers words which have been the motto
OF all geogrsphers since:-''The earth does not
such portions of IT as yet unknown. then return
and tell me" and the world knew, the results
Of the labors OF the Portuguese at that time the
discovery OF many new and unknown lands.
Foreign and internecine commotion snbse-
quently slackened the hand of Portugal in such
work but in more prosperous circumstances the
Portuguese had to the front, and, accord
ing to Major Pinto. great interest taken in thc
exploration of Africa by all classes in his country.
After detailing the circumstances under which the
government OF Portugal sent out the expedition OF
which he was the head Major Pinto discussed at
could be adopted by travellers when on the march
for determining their position, or the old
his preference being given to now French instru-
nent with which observations may be taken in the
shade He also recommended that the traveller
should have q telescope four feet long for making
observations by Watching the eclpses of the satei
-. THE L1AxnA1 AND THE zAxBEs1. i..
Coming to speak of the Liambai. the name given
Major expressed his belief that this great water way
would at no distant date play most important part
in the development Of Southern Africa. The lam.
best his favorte river he said; why he did not
very well know except it on the principle which
one sometimes heard enunciatcd. that woman
loved her husband the more she was ill-treated by
| him, for his troubles there had beon numerous. He
quite boy. he said. when he first set his foot
on African soil. When he was ut the mouth of the
Zambesi . tremendous storm arose; his ves-
sci was compelled to weigh anchor and put
Sss to sea- ana he and S were s aesa ts
barely managed to subsist on crabs. In that
region, too. he said. Portugal had her Isandulas ~
we'll US England, and many were the tears shed for
those who lay in unknown graves by the side Of
zambesis rolling waters. No explorer in speaking
OF this region could venture to pass the spleu-
did work Livingstone did before African exploration
had become 30 fashionable Us II had now The Ma
say that he was the most prominent figure among
modern African explorers but 1t was pretty evident
the Major had no great love for the missionary.
whom he charged with showing decided tendency
to do injustice to the Portuguese. The Major. re-
marks the correspondent. had evidently been read
ing the scathing attacks which Livingstone insdo
on the Portuguese slave traders whom he met
the Shire and the zambesi. and against whom his
righteous wrath stirred. aud while II WAS
perfectly legitimate for him to repudiate ~ he did
in warm language the idea that the Portuguese
il was felt to be- somewhat small Of the Major to
go out Of his way to insinuate that Livingstone.
when. on his first Journey from 'he Kuruman. he
discovered the head waters OF the Zanbesi delber-
atcly suppressed the fact that no there Portu-
guese. old Silva Porta, who was engaged in trading
much later. and then only because he could not
avoid it. OF the Bsroxs Valley, which was fully de-
to give some particulars. which Of INTEREST,"
ing nature, but which have been already made known
I'D ho, on Ma pns ~ ,hanr the sudi
ence for the way In which they had received me
communication; but the audience were not to be
baked in this way of hearing the Major speak, SO
they kept shouting "Pinto. Pinto and applsuding
until tho gallant exporer-who really seemed eni-
barrassed-got upon his feet. aud apoogizing to
them tor speaking In French. he dashed OF IN
vouble way q short and somewhat humorous ac-
count of his journey across the Continent, which
was greatly enjoyed by those who understood 1t.
ss H AFRICAN ExPI,onERs. NA tt
The next to be called on was lie Comte Savorgnan
do Brazza who gave, In an Interesting style. an
count of an exploration he had made OF the basin OF
tho Ogowe. q large tributary OF the Congo. The
President then communicated some notes which
DIR. Nachtigal, the well known German explorer.
had sent him; while another African traveller the
Rev r. Wakefield. spoke OF the condition of the Gal
las country, which lies to the south OF Abyssina.
This finished the African papers. the reading and
discussing of which had occupied about three hours.
Largo maps or Africa hung upon the walls enabled
the audience to follow in intelligent way the diff
ferent routes spoken Of. Comm lnder Cameron then
gave an account Of his recent explorations In tho