did not lay so much stress on the accurate determination of latitude and
longitude, of the heights of mountains and the courses of valleys, as on
matters that come more nearly home to human sympathies. The abolition of
the system of slavery--many affecting illustrations of which will be
found in these volumes--seems to have engaged the chief of his
attention. It was with this benevolent object that he originally turned
his attention to Africa; and he had become convinced that the best means
of effecting it was to encourage legitimate traffic between Europe and
the great nurseries of slaves. Among other things, he wished to show the
possibility of entering into treaties of amity and commerce with the
most important states of Central Africa; and although these treaties may
not turn out to be of great immediate utility, it is always worth while
that future explorers should know, that on the borders of Lake Tchad
there is a power which professes to be united with England in formal
ties of friendship, and that the Sultan of Bornou has never shown any
disposition to break his promises or secede from his engagements. As to
the question, whether legitimate commerce can advantageously be carried
on across the Sahara, and substituted for the frightful traffic in human
beings, I do not consider that it is as yet decided; but Mr.
Richardson's researches will throw great light on this interesting
subject.

I do not intend here to attempt an account of the services rendered by
Mr. Richardson to the sciences of geography and ethnography during his
useful career. At some future period, no doubt, this task will be
performed; and it will not fail to be added, that he was always impelled
by a higher motive than the mere satisfaction of curiosity or ambition.
A profound conviction that something might be done towards ameliorating
the condition of the African nations, if we were only better acquainted
with them, seems to have early possessed him. This it was that sustained