She has a settlement at Gori; she has lately established a settlement at
the mouth of the Assinee, another at the mouth of the Gaboon, and is on
the point of establishing another in the Bight of Benin; when she will
command all Western Africa.

She is not less active on the eastern shore. At Massawah, on the coast of
Abyssinia, she is fast monopolizing the trade in gold and spices. She has
purchased Edh, and is endeavouring to purchase Brava. Her attention to
_Northern_ Abyssinia is matter of notoriety, and we must regard this
system, not so much with regard to advantages which such possessions might
give to ourselves, as to their prejudice to us in falling into rival hands.
The possession of Algeria should direct the eye of Europe to the ulterior
objects of France; the first change of masters in Egypt, must be looked to
with national anxiety; and the transmission of the great routes of Africa
into her hands, must be guarded against with a vigilance worthy of the
interests of England and Europe.

If the river shall be found navigable to any extent, what an opening is
thus presented to both the Merchant and the philanthropist; a soil
surpassed by none in the world, a climate varying only 1º in the mean
temperature of summer and winter, and presenting an average of 55-1/2º,
and a population who could hardly fail to feel the advantages of commerce
and civilization. From such a point as Aden offers, access is promised to
the very heart of Africa, and thence to the sources of the mighty rivers
which find an outlet on the western side of the continent; thus not merely
benefiting the British merchant in a remarkable degree, but rapidly
abolishing the slave trade, by giving employment to the people, wealth to
the native trader, and a new direction to the powers of the country and
the mind of its unhappy population.