CHAPTER XIII.

Interview with Sir Joseph Banks in London.-Engages to travel in Africa under the auspices of the African Association. Remarkable instance of decision of character.-Letter to Dr. Ledyard, containing miscellaneous particulars respecting his travels and circumstances.-Description of his Siberian dresses.Origin and purposes of the African Association.-Ancient and present state of Africa.-Benefits of discoveries on that continent. --Letter from Ledyard to his mother.-His remarks to Mr. Beaufoy on his departure for Egypt.-Visits Mr. Jefferson and Lafayette in Paris.-Sails from Marseilles to Alexandria in Egypt.-Description of Alexandria, in a letter to Mr. Jefferson.-Arrives in Cairo.-Description of the city, and of his passage up the Nile.

No sooner was he arrived in London, than he called on his worthy patron and friend, Sir Joseph Banks, to express his gratitude for the many substantial favours received from him. Sir Joseph, after questioning him with a lively interest concerning his travels, and expressing sympathy for his past misfortunes, inquired what were his future intentions. Ledyard frankly confessed, that he had nothing in prospect; that after having struggled against a tide of difficulties to accomplish an object, which he had much at heart, but in pursuing which he had been baffled in every attempt, he felt himself at this moment in a state of perfect uncertainty, as to the step next to be taken; time

and circumstances would decide his fortune. What followed will be best related in the language of Mr. Beaufoy, then secretary of the African Association.

Sir Joseph Banks, who knew his temper, told him, that he believed he could recommend him to an adventure almost as perilous as the one from which he had returned; and then communicated to him the wishes of the Association for discovering the inland countries of Africa. Ledyard replied, that he had always determined to traverse the Continent of Africa, as soon as he had explored the interior of North America; and as Sir Joseph had offered him a letter of introduction, he came directly to the writer of these Memoirs. Before I had learnt from the note the name and business of my visitor, I was struck with the manliness of his person, the breadth of his chest, the openness of his countenance, and the inquietude of his eye. I spread the map of Africa before him, and tracing a line from Cairo to Sennar, and from thence westward in the latitude and supposed direction of the Niger, I told him, that was the route, by which I was anxious that Africa might, if possible, be explored. He said, he should think himself singularly fortunate to be trusted with the adventure. I asked him when he

would set out. To-morrow morning,' was his answer. I told him I was afraid that we should not be able, in so short a time, to prepare his instructions, and to procure for him the letters that were requisite; but that if the Committe should approve of his proposal, all expedition should be used."*

This interview affords one of the most extraordinary instances of decision of character, which is to be found on record. When we consider his recent bitter experience of the past, his labours and sufferings, which had been so intense and so long continued, that a painful reality had more than checked the excesses of romantic enthusiasm, that might be kindled in a less disciplined imagination; and when we witness the promptitude with which he is ready to encounter new perils in the heart of Africa, where hardships of the severest kind must ine vitably be endured, and where death would stare him in the face at every stage; we cannot but admire the superiority of mind over the accidents of human life, the rapidity of combination, quickness of decision, and fearlessness of consequences, which Ledyard's reply indicates. It was the spontaneous triumph of an elevated 10 mq

* Proceedings of the African Association, vol. i. p. 18.

spirit over the whole catalogue of selfish considerations, wavering motives, and half-subdued doubts, which would have contended for days in the breast of most men, before they would have adopted a firm resolution to jeopard their lives, in an undertaking so manifestly beset with dangers, and which in its best aspect threatened to be a scene of toils, privations, and endurance. It is needless to say, that the committee of the Association immediately closed an agreement with a man, who presented himself with such a temper, and with numerous other qualities, which fitted him in a peculiar manner for their service. Preparations for his departure were commenced without delay.

While these movements were going on, he wrote a long letter to Dr. Ledyard. It was composed at different times, and is without date. A few extracts from it will give an insight into his pursuits, and exhibit some traits of his character in a favourable light.

"I was last evening in company with Mr. Jarvis of New York, whom I accidentally met in the city, and invited to my lodgings. When I was in Paris in distress, he behaved very generously to me, and, as I do not want money at present, I had a double satisfaction in our meeting, being equally happy to see him, and

to pay him one hundred livres, which I never expected to be able to do, and I suppose he did not think I should. If he goes to New York as soon as he mentioned, I shall trouble him with this letter to you, and with some others to your address for my other friends. I wrote you last from this place, nearly two years ago, but I suppose you heard from me at Petersburg, by Mr. Franklin, of New York. I promised to write you from the remote parts of Siberia. I promise every thing to those I love; and so does fortune to me sometimes, but we reciprocally prevent each other from fulfilling our engagements. She left me so poor in Siberia, that I could not write you, because I could not frank the letter. You are already acquainted with the intent of the voyage, which I have been two years engaged in. The history of it I cannot give you, nor indeed the world. Parts of it you would comprehend, approve, and, I believe, admire; parts are incomprehens sible, because not to be described. I have seen and suffered a great deal, but I now have my health and spirits in perfection.

"By my acquaintances in London, my arrival was announced to a society of noblemen and gentlemen, who had for some time been fruitlessly inquiring for some person to travel