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Herodotus elsewhere informs us, went in a direction exactly fouth: it would feem then, that they purposely took another, namely a western, direction, with a view of thus penetrating through the great defert of Western Africa, through which, probably at that time no caravan road paffed.

They travelled, fays Herodotus, through a great defert during many days journeys, (unfortunately he does not tell us their number, and certainly it had not been told him). On the other fide of the defert, they again reached a cultivated country, where fruit trees grew, and black men dwelt, who were of a ftature smaller than common; not dwarfs, however, for that our author certainly does not affert. Thefe negroes gave the Nafamones an hofpitable reception, and became their conductors. They led them through great marshy regions, to a city, by which flowed a large river in a direction from west to east. The inhabitants of the city all fefembled their guides, and were much addicted to magic. The question now is, whither had thefe adventurers come? It is evident, methinks, that they were arrived in the country of the negroes, and among a negroe nation, who received them with the fame hofpitality which yet fo honourably diftinguishes this race of men from their barbarous neighbours, the Moors. This we learn not only from their black colour and their whole exterior appearance, by which they at first fight immediately prefented themselves to the eyes of the North Africans as a quite different race of men ; but likewife particularly from the circumftance, that they were all magicians; when we recollect what Mungo Park, who, as it were, conjured his way, through thefe peoples with the aid of his amulets, fays concerning the belief in magic generally prevalent among them. Concerning their diminutive ftature, I cannot immediately adduce any farther corroborating teltimony: but to maintain that, in that burning clime, in the vicinity of the equator, no fuch people may be difcovered, would furely be hazarding a very precipitate de

cifion.

But the phenomenon moft worthy of attention undoubtedly is the river which fowed by the city in an eastern direction. Is this river the Joliba? Were thefe bold adventurers the first discoverers of it? And did the tradition concerning it, though its name was loft in the deferts, neverthelefs by a series of the most fingular accidents, reach the ears of the farther of hiftory, that he might record it, to be one day, at

the close of the eighteenth century, again rendered intelligible?

Herodotus does not name the river, and thus far every thing reniains mere conjecture. But this conjecture from fo many quarters gains confirmation, that, at last, it is almost impoffible to doubt.

Firstly, if we attend to the direction of the route of our travellers, the question is, whither muft they neceffarily have come? If from their native land, on the bay of Sydra, or the great Syrtis, they traverfed the defert in a fouth-west direction, and thus reached the country of the negroes; this must have happened between 15 and 35° eaft longitude, which is about the length of the courfe of the Joliba, as will appear from a single glance at Major Rennel's map. Proceeding as they did, they could not fail to arrive at the Joliba. It will however be perhaps objected, that there may poffibly be fome other river; for who knows how many fuch rivers exift in thofe regions of the interior of Africa? But with a perfon who, from the relations of travellers, has acquired a knowledge of thofe parts, this objection can have no weight. Herodotus exprefsly fays, that it was a great river, running from west to eaft. According to the best accounts we poffefs of the weitern half of North Africa, not only is there in those regions no fuch river flowing in that direction; but from the very nature of the country, as far as we are acquainted with it, there cannot well exist any. To the north of the Joliba is the tandy defert, which contains no river; to the south, a chain of mountains, at the foot of which the Joliba flows, and which muft, therefore, have been the first large river the Nafamones met with.

Befides, Herodotus gives us likewise the following indications: Firstly, they were obliged to pass through large marshy regions, before they reached the river; fecondly, a city ftood on its banks and laftly, crocodiles were found in the river.

The first-mentioned of thefe three circumftances is highly important. Accord. ing to Major Rennel's neweft investigations, the fandy region of Africa has a floping declination towards the fouth; fo that to it fucceeds a low marshy tract, bounded to the north by the fandy defert, but to the fouth by a chain of mountains. Here the Joliba flows, receiving in its courfe a number of fmaller mountain rivers from the fouth; but not even one from the north. Like other tropical rivers, it has its annual inundations, when it, more or lefs, fills the valley through which it paffes, The Joliba is at lalt loft,

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as far as our information yet reaches, in inland lakes and marshes, which Major Rennel looks for in the districts of Wan gara and Ghana (or Cafhna). We are told of one fuch lake in Ghana, and of three in Wangara. Thefe obfervations throw a clear light on the circumstance related by Herodotus, that the Nafamones had been conducted through great marshy trats (έλη μεγιςα). Without paffing through fuch tracts, they could not poffibly reach the Joliba. Major Rennel has, therefore, marked Wangara and Ghana as marshy countries: they lie, however, too far to the east, for us, with any degree of probability, to fuppofe that the adventurous Nafamones had come thither. But then we are yet wholly ignorant how far thefe marfhes extend to the weft: from the nature and fituation of the country we may reafonably conclude, that they ftretch along the greater part of the river. All that Major Rennel has faid concerning the lower or eastern half of the Joliba, whither no European has yet penetrated, is no more than conjecture drawn from ingenious combinations; and it certainly is a furprising phenomenon, that what the greatest geographer at the end of the eigh teenth century fo happily conjectures, the earliest of hiftorians and geographers was already enabled to defcribe in exprefs terms and to relate on good authority.

It cannot now be determined with certainty which was the city to which the Nafamones came: however, we probably ought to look for it between Tombuctu and Cafbna. That, befides thefe cities, there are at prefent likewife others on the banks

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however, is merely a fuppofition), that the river he had been treating of was the Nile, is connected with his hypothefis of the courfe of the latter. It is, namely, one of the moft fingular of phenomena, that Herodotus defcribes the courfe and ftate of the Nile above Egypt to near its fources, with an accuracy which has hardly been attained by any fucceeding writer: only that he is miftaken with respect to the direction of this river; as he believes, that, until its entrance into Egypt, it flows obliquely through Libya from weft to eaft. This error cannot be otherwise well accounted for, except by fuppofing that Herodotus had confounded the (either really, or only in imagination exifting) western branch of the Nile, or the Nile of the Negroes, with the main ftream flowing from the fouth. The belief of the existence of fuch a western branch, as appears from the narrative of Herodotus, was then already generally prevalent in Africa. That the Joliba, however, is not this river, and that confequently Herodotus was mistaken in his conjecture, feems, at prefent, no longer to admit of a doubt. But the non-existence of fuch a ftream is yet far from being proved: on the contrary, the belief of its existence has fo conftantly and invariably prevailed throughout all antiquity and the middle ages, that here too we must wait for further difcoveries, before we can venture to give a final decifion.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

Ta feafon when the advanced price

of the Foliba, fuch as Huja, Tocrur, &c. A of provifions, particularly corn, has

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we know the existence, therefore, of a city here, even in thofe ancient times, would not feem to be any thing ftrange or incredible.

A third indication given by Herodotus, is, that the river contains crocodiles. Here the father of history knows more than even our latest travellers, in none of whofe works I recollect to have feen any inform ation relative to this circumftance. It is. probable that thefe creatures infeft only the lower part of the Joliba; and the narrations of Herodotus, which have fo often and fo ftrikingly been illuftrated and confirmed by new difcoveries, will, without doubt, be found true with respect to the existence of crocodiles in the Joliba, whenever another traveller fhall be able to penetrate into thofe diftant regions.

The conjecture which Herodotus adds at the end, and in which he coincides with the king of the Ammonians, (but which,

led to the adoption of feveral plans for relieving the diftreffes of the poor, it may be of ufe to communicate fuch as have obtained the fanction of experience, and been found productive of very important advantages. A moderate fund, judiciously applied, will furnifh much more extenfive and durable relief, than double the amount inconfiderately difpofed of or diftributed. If you are of opinion that a publication of the following details will be of any ufe, you will give them a place in the next number of your valuable mifcellany.

I am, Sir,

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Your humble Servant, Shrewsbury, Dec. 17, 1799. J. WOOD. In the year 1783, a fubfcription amounting to upwards of two thoufand pounds was raifed at Shrewsbury for the purpose of purchafing corn in the fea-ports, in order to check the baneful fpirit of monopoly, and reduce the very exorbitant price

612

that

that article then bore in our markets. of corn (which was ground into flour),

The corn fo purchased was ground into flour, and fold to the poor at prime coft. The meafure was attended with the happieft effects, the price of the article materially reduced in the market; and after feveral months fale, during which the money received was applied to the purchafe of more corn, a return was made to the fubfcribers of 18s. 6d. in the pound, on the amount of their respective fubfcriptions.

In the year 1788, a fubfcription of betwixt two and three hundred pounds was laid out during the feverity of the winter in the purchase of coal, which was fold to the poor at little more than half price; the fale continued for four weeks, when the weather became more moderate, and ros. in the pound was returned to all fubfcribers of above 2s. 6d. The relief was extended weekly to upwards of nine hundred poor families, befides three hundred fingle perfons.

In the year 1794, a fubfcription of two hundred pounds was laid out in the purchafe of bread, which was fold to the poor at less than half the price charged in the bakers' hops, and 10s. in the pound was returned to the fubfcribers. One thousand and thirty-fix families, and two hundred and feventeen fingle perfons, were relieved weekly during the continuance of this diftribution.

In the year 1795, a subscription of near five hundred pounds was laid out in the purchase of bread, butcher's meat, and coals, which were fold at a reduced price. In confequence of the very long continuance of fevere weather, and of a very extraordinary inundation that took place on the breaking up of the froft, the whole of this fubfcription was applied for the relief of the poor.

Six hundred and ninety-eight pounds worth of bread, befides coals and meat, was fold; and upwards of 5cco individuals thus relieved twice a week, from the 17th January to the end of February.

In the autumn of the fame year, a fubfcription of feven hundred pounds was laid out in the purchase of 1260 bushels

in paying half price for butcher's meat, and in premiums for bringing potatoes to market. 10,991 lb. of flour, with the like quantity of butcher's meat, were fold to the poor each week at half price, for feven weeks. By which means the poor of Shrewsbury, during that period, purchafed weekly 21,982 lb. weight of the prime neceffaries of life at half price and a balance of 1341. was referved for a future occafion.

In the beginning of the prefent year 1799, a fubfcription of 2561. was in like manner employed in the purchase of coal, bread, and materials for foup. The poor were ferved with 4000 quarts of foup gratis; 323 tons, 7 cwt. of coals, and 1751. worth of bread, were fold at half price. 4612 individuals were thus relieved weekly for four weeks.

The general mode of conducting the bufinefs attending thefe diftributions was, by appointing parochial committees who met in their feveral veftries, made out lifts of the poor, and diftributed printed tickets numbered and infcribed with the name of the parish of the party applying, the number his or her family confifted of, and the quantity they were allowed to purchafe. Thefe tickets the poor took to the bakers, butchers, or coal-wharf, paid half price for the quantity allowed, and delivered up their tickets, which were called in and re-iffued weekly; ferving at the fame time as checks to the accounts of the bakers, butchers, and coal merchants. The quantity of each article they were allowed to purchase, was in proportion to the number the family confifted of. A regular entry was kept in a book of each perfon's name, the number in family, and the relief allowed. The poor had a feparate ticket for each article. By going individually with their respective tickets to the butchers, or bakers, &c. the great inconvenience and lofs of time occafioned by fo large a body crowding together to Be ferved, was totally prevented. Contracts were made for the bread, meat, and coals, at a reduced price.

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In the account of Mr. Wiche, p. 929, 1ft col. 1. 33 from the top, for the predominance of fome amongst the number; read, the predominance of which in fome amongst the number. Ditto. 1. 48 from the top, for properly, read profanely.

ANECDOTES

ANECDOTES OF EMINENT PERSONS.

ANECDOTES OF SOME OF THE LEAD-
ING CHARACTERS IN THE PRESENT
DUTCH REPUBLIC. FROM RIEM'S
TRAVELS THRO' HOLLAND, IN 1796
AND 1797.

THE

CITIZEN HAHN.

HERE are few on whom nature has bestowed a more agreeable phyfio gnomy than on this honest and great man. The traits of unaffected fincerity, expreffive of a truly republican foul, are spread over his whole countenance; with lineaments of a mild, compaffionate turn of thought, and of ftrong feelings, blended together, as it were, by the magic pencil of a Raphael. In his eye, large and full of fire, we discover ftrength of mind, and the lively expreffion of patriotic contempt of

life. With thefe traits is mixed a dash of the

failing of all great men, felfwilled nefs and inflexibility. His energy betrays itself in the play of the mufcles of his face; and he commands more attention and regard than he feems to aim at. In ftature he is fhort and thick: the free ufe of his hands is not

wholly in his power; and the ufe of his feet he has loft entirely. But the lavish hand of nature has made him ample amends for what the denied him in corporeal powers, -by lavishing on him mental endowments; a quick faculty of apprehenfion, a found judgment, a penetration that feldom errs. When the long difcourfes of his colleagues have diftorted and obfcured the objest in debate, he, with a few words, difpells the darkness, and leads back their deliberations to the queftion. The patience with which he liftens to the speeches of fome of the drawling reprefentatives, and notices, applies, or refutes the most important parts, is, as is patience in general, in him the work of education and art, and altogether contrary to his natu rally fiery temperament. He is complaifant and hofpitable; and an attic urbanity reigns in his houfe, and an air of openne's and candour, which prepoffefs the ftranger with a favourable opinion of him and his family. His wife is worthy of the huf band, fuch as I have here delineated him. But, Hahn's father was a German, and his wife is likewife a native of that country.

Hahn undoubtedly furpaffes all the Batavian patriots in the knowledge of politics and diplomatics; and he has clearer ideas with refpect to matters of finance, than most of his colleagues. The report of the Citizen Reprefentative Van der Kafteelen is, indeed, a mafter piece of patient induftry; but rather an hiftorical than

diplomatical compofition. Hahn is a member of the Diplomatic Committee,* and, with Gevers, the moft confiderable among them. If there be any thing to blame in the conduct of this great man; it is, that he does not prefcribe to the ambaffadors of the Batavian Republic a method more diplomatic in their negociations; and that

he does not endeavour to have formed a

fixed political fyftem for the republic, according to which the ambaffadors might be inftructed to act; and that men of merit be appointed to watch over the interests of the republic in foreign countries, in preference to fuch as have no other claims to fuch an office, but their willingness to accept a wretched falary, and defray the greateft part of the expences out of their own pocket. But what can one man do against the will and pleasure of an ignorant majority?

I was much truck with his fingular appearance the first time I faw him brought into the National Affembly. Two fervants bere him, fitting on a kind of hand-barrow, and thus carried him to his place; as, for fome time paft, he has been unable to walk. It is obvious how much this muft impede the active discharge of the duties of his ftation; and I am aftonished, that his unfortunate lameness does not produce

more irkfomenefs and ill-humour in a man

of fo lively turn as Hahn. But, perhaps nature, in forming him, mixed with the inflammable ingredients a portion of Batavian phlegm, and thus produced his happy temperament.

VON HOOFF.

Juftum et tenacem propofiti virum Non ardor civium prava jubentium, Non vultus inftantis tyranni,

Mente quatit folida.

Hunc, fi fractus illabatur orbis,
Impavidum ferient ruinæ !

Never, perhaps, was a motto more juftly applicable than this is to Von Hooff. It would feem, indeed, as if the lines had been exprefsly written on this great man. WhenAffembly, the above paffage occurred to me. ever I heard him fpeak in the National He is tall and athletic. Almoft continually the marks of inward forrow are painted on his countenance; as he fees affairs take a turn, that cannot pofiibly tend to the establifhment of the happiness of his native country on a firm bafis. Traces are likewife discoverable of his former fufferings. He had emigrated to France; and, for a

* In the year 1797.

year

year and a half, was fubje&ted to Robefpierre's tyrannic fway. Robespierre, who feared the energetic man, ordered him to be guillotined: and Von Hooff's name was actually inferted in the lift of thofe who had been executed. But, fortunately for the Batavian Republic, chance fo directed it, that the executioners of the tyrant's fanguinary commands dragged another innocent perfon, whom they miflook for Von Hooff, out of the dungeon, and decapitated him inftead of the latter. On the fall of Robespierre, Von Hooff was liberated: but the hardships he fuffered in prifon had for ever undermined his health and conftitution. In quick penetration he is furpaffed by none of his colleagues; and equally excels in perfpicuity, brevity, in a good delivery, and in a lucid manner of arranging his arguments. He fpeaks, with out digreffions, to the purpofe, and never lofes fight of the main queftion. The admonitions of the prefident make no impreffion on him, when he fees the mistakes or inexperience of the latter leading to the enacting of a law that may prove dietrimental to the public weal. With fulminating eyes, and unspeakable energy in his manner, I once faw him advance to the feat of the preficent, clearly explain to him the dangers which muft enfue to the exifting decrees, and to the general good, if he would not otherwife put the queftion to the appel nominal. When, nevertheleis, the decree of the 11th of March paffed the affembly, he pronounced with the moft forcible expreffion thefe remarkable words: "If I were prefident, nothing, not even a battery of cannon planted against me, fhould force me to put fo pernicious a queftion to the vote; not even impending death fhould induce me to act fo to the ruin of my country." His dejection and chagrin on that day are almoft inconceivable; for he is actuated by a lively patriotifm; and his body and foul are devoted to the welfare of his country.

On the evening of that day, I converfed with him two or three hours; and he not only concurred with me in opinion, but fpoke with fuch ardour of the danger of the itate, if the decree remained in force, that I could not litten to him without the utmost admiration. But the fire of his genius confumes, rather than warms. The phlegmatic Batavian feels it not, and is not moved by his glowing eloquence. The members of the affembly have either already chofen their party, and are too fond of their eafe to beflow fought and reafoning on the principles they have taken for granted; or, if they have haply fyllogized

on the matter, they are too much prepof felfed in favour of the opinion that refulted from their ratiocination, to be ever induced to give it up. To them is applicable the text from Scripture, "They have eyes, and fee not; they have ears, and hear not." If they were endowed with found judgment and enlightened understandings, they would certainly be in general convinced by the arguments of this clear-fighted man.

I fpoke with him concerning the finances of the republic; and I owe him the hint for the formation of a paper circulating medium, that could not poffibly be depre ciated, if emitted agreably to my plan; which is explained in the chapter on the Finances of the Batavian Republic. Courage and refolution accompany and aid his ardent activity. He is the chief among the reprefentatives of his province; and, without a retrospect to provincial advan tages, and the privileges of his immediate conftituents, conftantly acts with a view to the general good of the republic one and indivisible. For this reafon, he fupported with fo much force the propofal for an amalgamation of the debts of the ftate, although his own conftituents be free from debt; and prefers the advantages that will accrue to them from the profperity of the whole republic, to the wretched calculations of his colleagues, who are not able to reckon farther than how much ready money must be facrificed for the moment. He was certainly in the right, when he faid to me, "If we must contribute our quota to the yearly deficit of fix millions, and remain an ifolated province, is it not better, patriotically to take upon us a part of the debt, the intereft of which does not furpats that quota, and thus form a whole ?"

What fo much wins my esteem for this excellent man, is his love of juftice and truth, and his exemplary difinterestedness. He never flatters any popular prejudice, with whatever fpecious name it may be decorated. He does nothing with a view to attain the future offices of the state, nor endeavours to creep into them by a fupple fubferviency to the will of the majority of the affembly, or of the people. marches ftraight forward in the path he has chofen from conviction, without taking any fide views, and without ever thinking of his own private intereft or aggrandizement. In this, he differs widely from the generality of Batavians. Even his life, I am convinced, would ceafe to have any value for him, if, by facrificing it, he could render any fervice to his native land.

He

He poffeffes a clear underftanding, puri

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