tter a syllable, for several
seconds afterwards. Every countenance beamed with delight at the
happy termination of the interview, and the multitude gave vent to
their feelings, in a loud, long, and general shout. For my part, I
need not say, I cannot tell the heartfelt gratification, I felt at
that moment. But this is not the most important good, that I have
been the humble means of effecting at this place. From time
immemorable it has been a custom with the rulers of Attah, to
sacrifice human beings on rejoicing days, and on all public
occasions. At the interview, which I have just described to you, two
poor creatures were brought before us to be slain, in order that
their blood might be sprinkled about the yard. I shuddered at the
proposal, and begged with earnestness, that nothing of the kind might
be done, I assured the chief he would one day have to give an account
to God, of every life he might wantonly destroy; and also made him
sensible, that though after death, his body would moulder into dust,
his soul would live for ever, and that it would be happy or
miserable, in proportion to the good or bad actions he had performed,
or might yet perform in this world. The chief was evidently much
affected at my words, and desired his followers to unbind the
intended victims, and remove them from the yard. He then made a
solemn promise, to put an end to the custom of sacrificing human
beings. As soon as this declaration was made known to the mallams,
and the crowd of attendants in the yard, they all held up their hands
in token of approbation, and shouted for joy. It is now seven or
eight months since this promise was made, and I am happy to say, it
has been religiously kept."

As further lights continued to be thrown upon the course of the
Niger, that geographical problem of many years, and as its importance
in a commercial point of view, opening a way into the interior of
Africa, becomes more appreciable, our attention was naturally drawn
to every circumstance connected with its exploration. Thus the
expeditions of Mungo Park excited a strong sensation, and have left a
mournful recollection on the public mind, and thus the equally
adventurous, and noble, and more successful enterprises of the
brothers, Landers, and especially of Richard, whose narrative of his
third voyage we are now relating, have fixed the admiration of their
country. This feeling was probably greatly enhanced, as the prospect
of utility is certainly