Ultimate Narrative Of Travels And Discoveries In Northern And Central Africa - Today Only [wrHtfzD4]

On their meeting in Edinburgh “Oudney turned Clapperton’s thoughts to African discovery. Lord Bathurst, then colonial secretary, appointed Oudney consul of Bornu, and employed Clapperton to accompany him in a journey to Central Africa. Major Dixon Denham [q.v.] volunteered to accompany the travellers from Tripoli to Timbuctoo. Proceeding south from the Mediterranean early in 1822 the travellers reached Murzuk, and by way of Musfeia and Zangalia arrived at Kuka in the kingdom of Bornu, on the west of Lake Tchad. Thence after great suffering they reached Sokota. They failed to ascertain the source and termination of the Niger, but determined the positions of the kingdoms of Mandara, Bornu, and Houssa, and their chief towns; while Denham, after some other movements, explored Lake Tchad. Clapperton and Oudney journeyed westward to the Niger. At Murmur in January 1824 Oudney died and was buried by his friend. Clapperton proceeded alone to Kano, capital of Houssa, and to Sokota, the extreme point of the expedition in that direction. Although but five days’ journey from the Niger, he was not allowed by the sultan to proceed westward. On 4 May he started on his return, was rejoined by Denham at Kuka, and reached Tripoli in January 1825, and England on 1 June” (DNB).

This is as fine a copy as we have seen of this standard work; from the Earl of Derby’s library with his bookplate. Copies are most unusual with plates printed on India paper.