Africa

by John Hanning Speke

Reception of a Victorious Army at Court - Royal Sport - A Review of the Troops - Negotiations for the Opening of the Road along the Nile - Grant's Return - Pillagings - Court Marriages - The King's Brothers - Divinations and Sacrifices - The Road granted at last - The Preparations for continuing the Expedition - The Departure.

John Hanning Speke was a man of thirty-six, when his Nile Journal appeared. He had entered the army in 1844, and completed ten years of service in India, serving through the Punjab Campaign. Already he had conceived the idea of exploring Africa, before his ten years were up, and on their conclusion he was appointed a member of the expedition preparing to start under Sir Richard (then Lieutenant Burton) for the Somali country.

Kari - Tragic Incident there - Renewals of Troubles - Quarrels with the Natives - Reach the Nile - Description of the Scene there - Sport - Church Estate - Ascend the River to the Junction with the Lake - Ripon Falls - General Account of the Source of the Nile - Descend again to Urondogani - The Truculent Sakibobo.

In the following pages I have endeavoured to describe all that appeared to me most important and interesting among the events and the scenes that came under my notice during my sojourn in the interior of Africa. If my account should not entirely harmonise with preconceived notions as to primitive races, I cannot help it. I profess accurately to describe native Africa - Africa in those places where it has not received the slightest impulse, whether for good or evil, from European civilisation.

First Voyage on the Nile - The Starting - Description of the River and the Country - Meet a Hostile Vessel - A Naval Engagement - Difficulties and Dangers - Judicial Procedure - Messages from the King of Uganda - His Efforts to get us back - Desertion - The Wanyoro Troops - Kamrasi - Elephant-Stalking - Diabolical Possessions.

Succession of the Sovereigns from their Founder to the present Emperor.

Fez, - - 1806.

Responsibility of the Governors - Empire beautiful and productive - Humane Efforts of the Emperor - Blind Submission to his Will - Great Number of Negroes naturalized - The Moors might be truly formidable. - Emperor's Brother - Fez divided into two Parts - Magnificent Mosques - Commercial Privileges - Indignities which Christians undergo - Singular Supply of Water - The Imperial Gardens - Propensity to defraud - Factories - Exports - Costume - Character - Manner of living - Domestic Vermin.

Fez.

Fez - Debility of the Moors - Mosques - Antiquities, Roman, Carthaginian, and Saracen - Storks held in great Veneration - Baths - Bazars - Inhabitants - Residence - Menagerie - Marvellous Preservation of a Jew - Lions - Tigers - Leopards - Hyenas.

Fez, - - .

Sudden Departure from Fez - Arrive at Mequinez - Attend the Emperor - Melancholy Catastrophe - Expedition against wild Beasts - Extensive Palaces - Seraglio - Visit a Haram - Founders of the City - A fortified Town - Inhabitants - Jewish Town - Rich Attire of the higher Orders - Numerous Market-places - Furniture - Saints' Houses - Imperial Field Sports - Pack of Greyhounds - Abundance of Game.

Mequinez.