The they were changed, and we proceeded on another stage to an outermost hamlet, whence I found we must proceed without either. The old head-man and some dozen others, whom the small village and nearest fields supplied, accompanied us for some distance until we reached the river Oyi, where they entreated me to wait, as a large armed party were expected, with whom I might travel in safety to A'gboro. We forded the Oyi, which is the most considerable stream I met throughout my journey; it was here about 200 yards broad, 4 to 5 feet deep, flowing north-westerly, and falls into the Kwora at or very near E'gan (Egga.) Some few miles farther on my road we again crossed this river, flowing eastward this time, with a current of three knots, which made me aware of the impotence (after constant riding) of my legs by sweeping me down the stream. At the first ford the armed party (whose business to A'gboro had no reference to me) came up, and in their company we continued our journey. road generally was level and stony, through lightly wooded country. We arrived at, examined, and passed the spot of the previous day's kidnapping, broken calabashes, torn garments, trodden grass, &c., showing us the scuffle that must have occurred; whilst here and there were traceable the paths by which some individual unfortunates had endeavored to escape their captors by running into the bush. The armed party throughout the journey were facetious, loud, and derisive of the enemies not to be seen, and who no doubt were prudently far from the spot, on whom they vehemently called, and with whom they would pretend to be fiercely fighting, stringing their bows, drawing an arrow, and rushing from their path in among the bush for this purpose, singing all the time rude songs, evidently self-laudatory. All this exhibition was intended to excite my admiration and astonishment at their prowess. About three or four miles beyond our second ford of the Oyi is the town of A'gboro, the houses of which looked like large stones on the top of a bare stony hill, in a range of bills: it is equally curious and miserable, but I was glad nevertheless to reach it after a tedious day's journey, having accomplished, however, I estimate, N. N. E. but 12'. On the 3d July I resumed my journey, after delaying the usual time (an hour or so) whilst two young men, bows and arrows, &c., were being provided. A good road, over open, undulating country, lightly wooded, N. N. W. about 7', brought me to the ruins of the town of Ladi. From its situation on a gently sloping plain, I was afforded a most comprehensive view of it; and its contemplation during a ride quite through it afforded food for much and sad reflection. Ladi became famous as the headquarters of Dasaba after he had destroyed Rabba and wrested the government of Nupe from his half brother in 1845. It in its turn was soon after reduced to the ruins I saw it, and the usurper driven into exile. I had looked forward to this as the termination of my land travel, expecting hence to reach Rabba in about three days per canoe. I was ferried to the island the next morning, and obtained an interview with Kuta, whom I found a fine, stout, good-looking man, and then in council with his head men. I told him where I had started from, where I had been, and what I now wanted from him, which met with a peremptory though not uncivil announcement that I must go by land. My kind host, the chief, said he could not furnish me either with a guide or carrier, but he himself was mounted, and accompanied me some 4 or 5 miles on my journey when I set out from Eseji the following morning, Monday, 5th July: he was a most intelligent, inquiring, and pleasant companion. I had made him a small present, and we parted with expressions of much mutual friendship. I found the road excellent, running parallel with the range of hills on our right, and generally about 3 or 4 miles from them, for the most part through corn-fields now almost ready for harvest. I halted in the small town Edeji, saw many guinea fowls about the corn, passed endless anthills, nnusually high and curious in their pinnacled and turreted construction, and after having travelled, I estimate, N. N.W. 12', completed my day's journey by arriving at the small town "Nagi, lying between hills on our right and left. I was kindly received here, lodged in the house of the chief, and hospitably served. The next morning I left "Nagi." Resuming my journey by a good and level road through almost entirely cultivated country, after making in all about N. N. W. 9', at 11 A. M. I arrived at Laboshi, a good-sized town, which had been pointed out to me as the end of my day's journey. Laboshi consists of two distinct parts, separated from one another by a small ravine and stream, across which is constructed a viaduct, about 30 feet high in the centre, quite passable for horses, and which to me was a wonder. I have nowhere else met with such a display of ingenuity; it is quite a distinguishing mark for this town. I was esteemed a great curiosity here, and during my stay was surrounded by half the population at least. A very uninteresting road, through light forest, N. N. W. 8', I estimate, took me from Laboshi to a clean and orderly-looking town, whose name I could not learn, from which south-westerly a mile or two brought me to Kudan. Up to this point my journey cannot claim perfect novelty, the Rev. Mr. Clarke, of the American Yoruban Mission, having passed through many of the places I had visited on his visit in November, 1857. Passing out of Igbomna, I entered the district of Effon, and reached its principal town "E'shon," or A'iedi, from which the confluence of the Kwora and Binue lies nearly due east and distant not more than 50 or 60 miles; this was the nearest approach I was able to make to that object of my journey: the difficulty and doubt of my succeeding had been pointed out to me at Ibadan, the cause assigned being the presence of a slave-hunting army in the locality I need pass through; this was now verified, the chief refusing me to proceed in that direction, his motives being, I believe, not illiberal. Up to this point the country was of much sameness of character, thickly wooded with impenetrable jungle, or at best occasionally a lighter forest, except in the vicinity of towns and habitations or where their cultivation may have extended. I was now also about E. N. E. (true) 120′ in a straight line from Ibadan, and obliged to direct my steps to the banks of the Kwora, nearly due north of me. I passed out of Effon and entered upon country with much changed features, affording a great relief in travel; it now became, and continued, open, picturesque, and often path-like, and must be described from the parallel of 7° N., extending northward, at this distance from the river, as a beautiful hunting-ground for Ibadan, Ilorin, and Nupe, the hunted being its inoffensive and weak inhabitants; such a perversion is painful to see, and its effects are as lamentable. That part of this country which I had now reached is called "Yagba." 66 Yagba" is the most productive and most beautiful district through which I passed, with the peculiarity of isolated dwellings which I nowhere else observed. Passing northward out of Yagba, I entered the territory of Nupe, (often called Takpa,) and shortly after reached "Ladi," a town famous in the modern politics of this country, now a vast extent of dreary ruins, from whence the river is distant about 5 miles. I crossed, having reached it at "Shaw," a few miles above the junction of the tributary "Lefun," and, after three days' journey on a good road, reached Rabba. Throughout the journey I met with much consideration and hospitality at almost every place: a goat, or a sheep, and a few cowries, were given to me, even where I met comparative poverty and much depression; yet parsimony, with shrewdness and industry, are the prevailing characteristics. The latter I have always thought should be qualified by the adjective "African," for it has never been my fortune to see in Africa the quallty known to us by that name. I everywhere distinctly and impressively pointed out the efforts Her Majesty's Government were making with a view to establishing a trade and otherwise improving their country, which invariably met with approbation and a firm belief that "white man" had but to will it to effect the same. Corn, yams, and cotton, are the principal productions, palm oil being only prepared for their own moderate consumption. The country is evidently capable of producing a vast amount of these commodities. The shea butter-tree disappears almost entirely on receding from the river. Very contrary opinions are held as to the best time of the for travelling in "Yoruba;" some persons of long experience in the country give the preference to the months of August and September. In May and June I found these advantages: a cool and cloudy atmosphere, rarely rain in the day, and that by night rendering travelling more agreeable and refreshing, and the streams offering very little impediment from their volume. The first, in my case, was often not an advantage; it prevented, on many occasions, my obtaining desirable astronomical observations, on which head I have the honor to report to your Lordship my hope and belief that the data I have obtained will yield a reliable map of the parts I visited. My barometrical observations will, I trust, yield a chain of elevation of my route; the plateau from Abajo to I'shon is the highest above the level of the sea I passed over. [I have since computed this to be 2000 feet above the sea.] My brief experience prompts me to point out the absolute necessity of an ample supply of material for presents on a journey manifestly for exploration; my deficiency in this respect certainly affected me adversely on very many occasions, and I believe the results of my journey would have accorded more with my intentions had it not existed. Finally, I would beg to bring to your Lordship's notice the hospitality, kindness, and aid I invariabiy received from the reverend gentlemen of the American Mission in Yoruba, as well as from those of the Church Missionary Society of England, particularly amongst whom I am indebted to the Rev. H. Townsend at Abbeokuta, and the Rev. David Hinderer at Ibadan. I append to this report a rough preliminary map, which I intend merely as an aid to comprehension in its perusal. Sincerely trusting that my humble efforts and their at least partial success may meet your Lordship's approval, Í have the honor to be, my Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient servant, From the Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society. Announcement.-The Chairman read a letter from Dr. Baikie, F. R. G. S., (of the Niger Expedition,) dated Bida, Nupe, 24th April last, announcing his arrival at the above place, hitherto unvisited by Europeans, and stating that he has been everywhere well received; also that he had found the country exceedingly mountainous, there being a range from 10 to 12 miles long, and 1200 to 1300 feet high, and well cultivated, the products consisting chiefly of the oil palm tree and cotton: the latter, Dr. Baikie states to be excellent. SESSION, 1861. April 8.-The intelligence from Captain Speke is of a fortnight later date than that which has already been communicated to the Society. It informs us that he had reached the upland districts, but had not yet arrived at the Rubeho Pass. All of his Hottentot guard had suffered severely from fever, and three of them had to be sent back invalided to Zanzibar. The rest of the party appear to be well. Captain Speke sends back numerous lunar observations for the determination of the longitude of Zungomero, and speaks of having despatched an herbarium of plants. Latest intelligence from Dr. Livingstone and party in Central Africa. APRIL 22.-Feeling in honor bound to take the Makololo back to their own country, and disliking to remain quiet while waiting for his new steamer, Dr. Livingstone left Tete on May 16, 1860, and travelled to Sesheke, a distance of some 600 miles. During their five years' sojourn at Tete, many of the Makololo had married slave women and had families. These Dr. Livingstone had expected would be disinclined to return with him, and he repeatedly gave them their option of remaining. However, they behaved badly, for they started in his company, and afterwards ran away on the march. The route of the party lay along the north bank of the Zambesi, crossing the mountain mass in which Kebrabrasa lies, and the rivers Loangua and Kafue at their confluencus, then along the fine fertile valley of the Zambese (being new ground) for about one hundred miles; then turning westward in lat. 17°18' S. up a sandy river, the Zongue, till they saw the source of the fragments of coal strewn on its bed; then ascended about 2000 feet above the Zambesi, or 3300 above the level of the sea, where there was actually hoar-frost, and descended on the other side into the great valley of the Makololo. "On arriving here, (at Tete, September, 1860,) two days ago, we had travelled from Linyanti and back, some 1400 miles, the greater part on foot. We have thus kept faith with the Makololo, though we have done nothing else. We were swamped once, but the men behaved admirably, leaping out and swimming alongside, till we got into smooth water. In another place one canoe was upset and property lost. We then abandoned the canoes and came home on foot, thankful to say, 'All well."" AFRICAN MISSIONS. CORISCO PRESBYTERIAN MISSION.-A very interesting missionary meeting was held at Alongo, Corisco, the 7th of July, of which an account is given in a letter of Rev. Wm. Clemens, of July 18th. Preparatory services took place on Saturday, and on Sabbath two precious souls were added to the church. A native presented his child for baptism. The congregation was large. It was estimated that at least forty natives sat at the Table with us. Several natives have been sent out into the surrounding country to labor in the cause of Christ. The assembly came together to pray to the Lord of the harvest for His blessing. The assembling of Christ's flock to pray for the extension of His Kingdom, is a significant fact in itself. A short time ago these same persons, who now supplicate the Throne of Grace in behalf of their dying countrymen, were bowing down to "fetishes" and worshipping devils. ZULU MISSION IN SOUTH AFRICA.-The Missionary Herald for October and November contains very encouraging accounts of the condition and prospects of that mission. The missionaries having acquired the language of the country, preach with facility and are heard with attention. LETTERS have been received from Bishop Payne, of the Episcopal Mission at Cape Palmas, to August 14, 1861, mentioning the adop |