It is a singular circumstance in the feelings and character of Dr. Oudney, that although the sedateness of his disposition and the benevolence of his heart made him enjoy the quietness and the comfort of home, and the interchange of the kind affections with his relations and friends around the domestic hearth, with a peculiar degree of satisfaction; although his steadiness and attention, joined to his professional experience and skill, were fast procuring for him an extensive medical practice; and although he could have formed a matrimonial alliance both agreeable to his feelings and advantageous to his prosperous establishment in life: yet, such was his love of distinction as a scientific traveller, and so strong was his desire of exploring distant, and of discovering unknown regions, that he was willing, for a while, to forego every other consideration for the sake of gratifying this master-passion of his mind. The hope of having it in his power of visiting foreign countries, and of extending the boundaries of physical knowledge, stimulated him to persevere in those scientific pursuits which were especially fitted to qualify him for accomplishing this purpose on which he had so steadfastly set his heart; and caused him to make his sentiments on this subject known to such individuals as he supposed had influence sufficient to promote the object which he had in view. For this end, he would have had no objections to have resumed his public services as a naval surgeon, trusting that he might be sent to some station favourable for prosecuting the inquiries which he was so anxious to make. But the interior of Africa was the field of investigation on which his own wishes were bent. The considerations, that the climate of that country had been fatal to so many former travellers, and that its inhabitants had showed themselves averse to have it traversed by strangers, were unable to exert an influence over his mind sufficiently strong to deter him from engaging in the enterprise if he should have it in his power to make the attempt. He felt that his constitution was vigorous; he had already acquired some knowledge of tropical climates; and he trusted that he possessed prudence and precaution sufficient to enable him to surmount every opposing obstacle, and to conduct any expedition on which he might be sent to a favourable and satisfactory issue. And sooner, we believe, than he expected, he had an opportunity of putting his sanguine anticipations to the test of experiment.