The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-15
AFRICA from south to wortn.

An admirable piece Of thorough, useful,
geographical exploration is recorded in
Major A. ST. II. Gibbons's Africa From
South to North Through Marotseland,
two volumes (John Lane, the Bodley Head.
II 4. the scientific survey Of Marotseland
the careful exploration Of the Zambesi
and its sources that give the chief value TO
the book though the journey through The
continent may appeal more to the popular
fancy.
1t is not the Africa Of Livingstone, not
even the Africa Of Stanley, that Major
Gibbons had to deal with Even in the
region where he was able to mako import
ant discoveries he was annoyed and nam
pered by saysges who knew about Bulu-
wayo and prices there and who wore the
castoI garments Of civilization. The prin-
cipal chief Of tho land. Lewanika, had
made the journey TO England and had been
lionized In London. There was plenty OF
savagery left, and particularly the lack Of
means Of transportation and OF subsistence,
10 make travel arduous in the extreme as
is likely to be the case In interior Africa for
many years TO come, but the experiences
even now are not wholly those Of pioneers
and discOyerers.
The Journey north to Khertum. on the
other hand. is rather q manifestation OF
the hold Europe has now on the dark con-
unent, than Of dangerous adventures.
There we're gaps, TO be sure, long and
critical ones, but from the time Major
Gibbons left Iewnnikas land he was always
within reach though not immediate reach
OF course. Of some outposts Of civilization,
whether Congo State, or German East
African. or British missionary, or Sou
danese stations.
The story is told directly and mpre-
tentiously, and il accompanied by an adj
mirnbe large scale map OF the Zarnbesi
suryeya Its plain SinceIity may not APP
peal 10 the general public, but it makes the
book the more valuable from the scientific
side. 40 that It is sure to be quoted fire.
ouently. The work Is done 80 well that
il will not need to be done again In hurry,
even when the British push their railroad
over the Victoria Falls gorge.
Major Cibbons's book has had the IN
ayoidHb'e misfortune Of being delayed In
publication by the Boer war. He and two
OF his nssistants, one Of whom was killed
at Mafeking. rushed 70 the front az soon as
they could get out Of the wilds. The gen
eraI outline Of the story was therefore
known several years before the book could
be prepared, and this. while in no way i'm
pairing it's scientific value, may affect
popular interest.
strange and striking picture appears
at the end Of the first volume, which closes
the Marotse survey, -Four Epglishmen
arc dining together at Liagui. on the upper
Zambesi. planning 10 get to the coast and
home. Instead Of holding together, &c Oh
determines TO go by himself, and each takea
a different point Of the compass. Mr..
Coryndon goes south the easiest way, 20
Buluwayo and Cape Town; Capt Hamilton
goes east, down the Zambesi. TO it's mouth.
Capt, Qucke turns west TO the coast al
Beng,iela. while Major Gibbons starts north.
for the lakes and hhsrt'Im and the Nile.
The volumes are illustrated by many
Photographic, which might have been re-
produced in larger form with great advan-
taRe TO dlstinctnees.