The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-06-28

African exploration has made some
wonderful discoveries, and if the
same zeal continues that has been
manifested in the past few years, the
world will soon be possessed of all
there is to be known about the Dark
continent. The Congo region is the
latest field of search, and great num-
Der of expeditions have visited it in
the past four years. All of them have
astonishing adventures to relate and
Important discoveries to chronicle.
Lieut.. WlSSman, who was sent out
10y the Berlin African society in 1880,
told his experience at the recent geo.
graphical congress. 1t was one contin-
uous struggle through vast wilder
ness, here and there occupied by tribes
of superStitious and hostile Savages.
The party were in constant peril and
at all times liable to murder and rob-
berry should the SavageS take a Whim
In that direction. The story of the
expeditions of Livingstone, Stanley
and other explorers is, to the casual
reader, full of constantly recurring
repetitions of the same old eX perience,
and 1t may be doubted if African eX-
ploratiOns are not classed by the gen.
eral public in very much the same
category as polar expeditions. The
difference between a mere cruise of
observation TO a region of ice and ain
expedition to open to civilization a
fertile continent is recognized but not
generally appreciated in its full
breadth. A single sentence in Lieut..
Wissmann's statement explains the
Importance and far-reaching conse-
quences of the development of Afri-
ca. 1t is the statement that the Con-
go is the largest river but one on the
face of the earth," being second only
to the Amazon. When one thinks of
the Congo as larger than the Missis-
sippi and draining a valley with every
variety of climate from tropic low
perate zone, the Importance of the
matter is more clearly apparant.
Diving for PharaOh's Chariot Wheels
tst. James Gazette.l
The Able Moligno has written
preface to NJ. LecOintre's Champagne
de Noise your la sortie d'Egypte," in
which he advocates the promotion Of
a joint stock company, with the view
of exploring the bottom of the Red
sea, and especially the bitter-water
lakes. In a German account of the
project it is justly described as zone
of the boldest." at is nothing less"
continued the writer, than to search
the bottom Of the Red sea to discover
there the proof of that great event
narrated by Moses 1900 years ago.
To provide the needful funds to carry
on excavations which would have for
their result the restoration to light |
of the remains of the Egyptian
armies engulfed in the Red sea, with
the chariots, horses, arms, treasures,
archives and perhaps the king him
self-that Pharaoh who was con-
quered by Moses-this will indeed be
a noble enterprise. Buried in the
masses of salt of the Bitter Lakes,
concealed at different places by thick
beds of salt, these historical remains
are perhaps in state of preservation
unexpected by u.s." The Able esti-
mates the cost of the excavations at
100000 francs, and against eXpendi-
lures he places nothing in the way of
possible returns. 1t may be suggested
without irreyerence, however, that if
th2 Abbe Moigno should succeed in
disinterring but one indubitable
wheel of Pharaoh's chariots he might
make no end of money.