When it was known that government had resolved to send a new expedition to explore the central parts of Africa, and especially to trace the course, and endeavour to ascertain the termination of the Niger, Dr. Oudney, through the influence of Professor Jameson, along with Major Denham, and Captain Clapperton, was, greatly to his own satisfaction, appointed on this interesting mission. He had no fears of losing his health by travelling, was very sanguine that his labours would be crowned with success, and, being amply provided with instructions, by his friend Professor Jameson, how to prosecute his inquiries, and to collect and preserve specimens of the natural productions of the countries he was about to visit, he took farewell of his friends in Scotland and went to London in the summer of the year 1821. And we are peculiarly happy, that by means of a regular series of letters to his eldest sister, and to some other of his correspondents, we are enabled not only to make him give a luminous account of the rest of his career, but also to impart much new and valuable information respecting the countries in which he travelled. The first of the Doctor’s letters from which we shall take an extract, is one which he sent to his friend Mr. James Kay, surgeon of the Royal Navy, from London, on the eve of his setting out on his expedition. “Here I am actively engaged in business of one kind or another. But I expect to finish and arrange every thing to day; for it is probable Clapperton and I shall depart to-morrow morning, unless the mail be detained a few days, a thing which I understand often happens. I have found every thing very agreeable here. Those with whom I have had to deal have been exceedingly polite, and in most respects have forwarded my views as far as possible. Our worthy friend Clapperton gets on amazingly well. I am in high spirits respecting my mission; from all that I have been able to learn, very little danger, and scarcely any impediments, are to be apprehended. We have got excellent fowling-pieces and pistols, and a most valuable assortment of philosophical instruments. The former, I hope, except for the purposes of natural history, will scarcely be required—an agreement exists between the British government and the pasha of Tripoli respecting the conveying of travellers safe to Bornou, therefore, so far as he is concerned, all is safe.” The next letter in the series from which we shall quote is addressed to his eldest sister, and is dated “Malta, October 17, 1821.”