Page images
PDF
EPUB

In this reconstruction no hypothesis is used; but the facts furnished by Dr. Heysham are rigidly adhered to. In the adjustment of the eighth column the geometrical mean of five ratios is indeed used as the true ratio; but that makes very little difference in the final result. It is, moreover, the fairest mode of adjustment that suggests itself, and being in accordance with all the best tables, it can scarcely be called a hypothesis.

The final resulting table differs but little from Mr. Milne's. Beginning even with it at fifteen, it falls below slightly to nineteen, is even again at twenty and twenty-one, then below to twenty-nine, even at thirty, above to thirty-eight, below to forty five, above to forty-eight, below to sixty, above to sixty-eight, below to seventy-five, above to eighty-one, below to eighty-seven, above to ninety-seven, and then below to the end of the table the differences being always inconsiderable. And yet the new table is free from all the anomalies in Mr. Milne's. There is no sudden increase in the mortality; there are no decrements in the rate, while Mr. Milne has several; the differences from year to year, though not uniform, are regular. All the value of the old table is preserved, while its defects and irregularities have disappeared. And this, without any artifice or arbitrary adjustment, but only by the substitution of an arithmetical for a graphical mode of interpolation. The necessity of adjusting the Carlisle table is universally acknowledged, and all the premiums of our life companies that profess to be derived from it are not taken from the table itself, but from some of its adjustments. Mr. Woolhouse has adopted an adjusted Carlisle table in his calculations for the International, and, knowing his mathematical skill, we do not doubt it is much superior to the original. To our adjusted table we shall not hesitate to give a larger weight in the combination we propose than to Mr. Milne's :—

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small]

Art. II. GEOGRAPHICAL DISCOVERY IN EASTERN AFRICA;

WITH REFERENCE TO ITS COMMERCE AND THE INFLUENCE WHICH THE PROPOSED SUEZ CANAL IS LIKELY TO EXERCISE UPON ITS DEVELOPMENT; AND A SEKTCH OF RECENT POLITICAL EVENTS IN ABESSINIA AND MADAGASCAR.

AT no time has discovery taken such rapid strides towards unfolding the geography of Inner Africa as within the last few years. Livingstone, Barth, Galton, Andersson, and many others, have not only traversed large tracts of country previously left blank on our maps, or at the most filled up by rivers, lakes, and mountain-chains, laid down from imperfect native reports, but have embodied their results in maps, based upon astronomical observations, or a careful estimate of distances.

Eastern Africa has taken its due share in the general progress, and from the peculiar interest attaching to its geographical features, and the comparative safety with which travelers may proceed inland, we may confidently expect it soon to be one of those portions of the continent most accurately known to us. Its coast-line had been surveyed between the years 1822-6, by Capt. W. F. Owen and his officers, a survey to which but immaterial additions were made by the French expedition under M. Guillain, (1847-8.) Lieutenant Cristopher, in 1844, visited Giredi and some other places on the lower Haines River, but M. Maizan, a French officer, who in the same year attempted to penetrate into the interior, was slain by the natives at three days' journey from the coast.*

The inland exploration of that part of Eastern Africa may be dated from the time when Dr. Krapf, of the Church Missionary Society, established himself at Rabbai Mpia, near Mombaz, 1844, a place which subsequently became the starting point for several journeys into the interior, undertaken by himself and fellow-laborers. Dr. Krapf visited thus Ukambani twice, in 1849 and 1851, and Fuga, the capital of Usambara, in 1848 and 1852. The Rev. J. Rebmann undertook three journeys to Jaga in 1848 and 1852, and the Rev. J. Erhardt, in 1853, proceeded to Fuga. In addition to this, Dr. Krapf explored the whole of the coast from Cape Guardafui to Cape Delgado, for objects connected with the mission. The most remarkable result obtained by these journeys is the discovery of several mountains covered by perennial snow, a discovery which can only be denied if we assume the missionaries capable of deliberately advancing false statements. True, no astronomical observations were taken, and the routes explored have not been laid down with desirable accuracy; nevertheless, the accounts of the missionaries, from their long residence in the country and close intercourse with the natives, with whom they were able to converse in their own language, give to their accounts quite

* Henry C. Arc Angelo, in 1847, and Captain Short, in 1349, claim to have ascended the river Jub for a considerable distance. M. Guillain, who in 1847 lodged in the very room at Merka previously occupied by Angelo, heard from his host that that traveler ascended the river for a few miles merely In fact, the lower Jub is not considered navigable at all by the Arab merchants, who carry their merchandise overland to Ganana, above which the river is navigable for a considerable distance. (See Guillain, “Documents sur l'Afrique Orientale," II., 181.)

In an Itinerary to Kikuyu, by way of Ukambani, given by M. Guillain, (II., 239,) we find a very high mountain in Kikuyu described as being of a white color, wood d at the foot, but entirely barren near its summit." This is undoubtedly Krapf's Kenia, Kegna, or Kirenia. Mr. Cooley, in his "Inner Africa Laid Open." ridicules the idea of the Keznia and the Kilimanjaro being covered with perennial snow, whether on sufficient grounds or no is at best but doubtful.

an independent value. Dr. Krapf places Yata in Ukambani at a distance of 270 miles from the coast. He spent fifteen days on the average in traveling to or from that place, and on his return journey, in 1851, only ten days. In the latter he would consequently have traveled at the rate of twenty-seven miles a day, or at least thirty-five miles of actual traveling, the above distance being given in a direct line. Assuming Dr. Krapf to have traveled at the rate of ten miles a day, (on his last journey fifteen niles,) Yata would be 150 miles from the coast. At Kitui, a village four days in a northerly direction from Yata, the snow mountain Kenia could be seen from an eminence during clear weather, and its distance would appear to be at least 100 miles; the Kilimanjaro could be seen from the same locality, towards the S. W. The approximate position of these two mountains we believe to be as follows:

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

In addition to the valuable information afforded by the missionaries with regard to the countries which came under their personal observation, we are indebted to them for a mass of information about the interior, collected from native sources, which the Rev. J. Rebmann and Rev. J. Erhardt incorporated in a map, first published in the proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society, 1856, and the most striking feature of which is a vast lake of a curious shape, extending through twelve degrees of latitude. Dr. Krapf has now published some further information with respect to the countries east of Ukambani, in his work on Eastern Africa.

The maps of the missionaries, though open to criticism, as are more or less all compilations of this kind, at once attracted the attention of geographers, and the Royal Geographical Society, aided by government, resolved to send out an expedition to test the accuracy of the data furnished. Major R. Burton, a man well experienced in Eastern travel, and favorably known by his "Pilgrimage to Medina and Mekka," and a visit to Harar, was intrusted with its direction, and having been joined by Captain Speke, his former companion, set out for Zanzibar, where he arrived on the 20th of December, 1857. After a visit to the Rev. J. Rebmann, at his missionary station at Kisuludini, and a preparatory journey to Fuga, the capital of Usambara, they set out for the interior on the 26th June, 1858. Traversing a mountainous tract, which begins about a hundred miles from the coast, and nowhere exceeds 6,000 feet in height, they reached the great inner plateau of Uniamesi, which at Kazeh, an Arab trading post, has an elevation of 3,400 feet. Thence westward the country forms a declined plane, and the elevation of the lake of Takanyika, or Uniamesi, which our travelers reached the 3d of March, is 1,843 feet. The lake extends for about 300 miles to the north of Ujiji, as ascertained by actual examination, and is enclosed there by a crescentshaped chain of mountains, which Captain Speke looks upon as identical with the Luna Montes, Ptolemy's Mountains of the Moon. This assumption we believe, however, to be premature; Ptolemy had no personal knowledge of the countries of the Upper Nile, and can scarcely be supposed to have been acquainted with the crescent-like shape of the mountains in question. We would therefore rather, with Dr. Beke, claim this appellation for the snow-capped Kenia and Kilimanjaro, as far as we know the highest mountains in that part of Africa. According to native

information, the lake extends towards the south 8° of latitude, where it terminates, communicating perhaps, during the rainy season, with the Rukwe Lake.* The information obtained by Dr. Livingstone from an Arab merchant, whom he met on the Liambye, tallies satisfactorily with that obtained by Captains Burton and Speke. That merchant skirted the southern shore of the lake on coming from the coast, and places Cazembe's Town at ten days' journey to the S. W. of it. A Suahili whom Dr. Beke had interrogated at Mauritius (vide "Athenæum," 12th July, 1856,) gave similar information, and describes the Taganyika as being distinct from the more southerly Niassa. To our knowledge, however, not a single instance of either Arab or native having navigated such a lake lengthways has been adduced in support of this assumption.

On their return from the Taganyika, Capt. Burton remained at Kazeh, to recruit his failing health, whilst Captain Speke proceeded northward to explore the Victoria Nyanza, Lake Victoria, or Lake of Ukerewe, which he reached on the 3d of August, and ascertained to be 3,738 feet above the sea. A river is said to debouch from its northern extremity, and to flow into the Nile. Assuming the lake to extend to 1° north latitude, and the development of the river to be equal to twice the direct distance to Gondokoro, the altitude of which is 1,606 feet.‡ such a river would have a fall of five-and-a-half feet per mile, a current which would render it quite impracticable for navigation.

The first information regarding the Upper Nile, or Bahr el Abiad, is due to the three expeditions sent out by the Egyptian government, between 1839 and 1812. Private travelers, such as MM. Brun, Rollet, Malzac, and Vaysieres, but especially the Roman Catholic missionaries at Gondokoro since 1849, have considerably added to our knowledge. The visit of a traveler capable of making reliable astronomical observations is, however, urgently required to clear up the doubts regarding the true position of the Upper Nile. The position of Janker Island is variously stated by different observers :

Selim Bimbashi, commander of second Egyptian
Expedition

M. d'Arnaud, member of two Egyptian Expedit'ns
M. Knoblecher, Roman Catholic missionary......

4° 35' N. lat.
4° 42' N. lat.
4° 37. N. lat.

32° 25′ E. long. 31° 38' E. long. 28° 40′ E. long.

Unfortunately, the final results alone of M. Knoblecher's observations have been given, and we are not, therefore, in a position to judge of the degree of confidence to be attached to them. The information obtained by Captain Speke regarding the Kibiri River, (the Bahr el Abiad, above Janker Island, is called Tibiri, spelt Tubiri by the French,) which is said

Perhaps identical with the Kalagwe, mentioned by Livingstone as communicating with the Taganyika.

The approximate position of Cazembe's Town (Lunda or Lucenda) is known from the expeditions of Lacerda. (1792) and Monteiro, and Jamitto (1832, see page 468.) The former made astronomical observations at Chama, (Moiro Achinto,) a village 150 miles to the S. E of it. The Roapura River. which passes close to it, according to Dr. Livingstone, enters the Liambye, and the elevation of Cazembe's Town could not therefore be assumed at less than 5,000 feet, or more than 3,000 feet above the Taganyika.

The altitude of Gondokoro has been deduced from barometrical observations by Dovyak, continued during thirteen months. The same observer makes Khartum 2 feet above the sea; according to Russeger, it is 1,525 feet, and according to Captain Peel, 1,286 feet

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »