But even under much more favourable circumstances than we have reason at present to expect, it would by no means follow that the mere removal of that great obstacle to regular industry and commerce, would in any very short space of time produce considerable or extensive improvements. The ignorance, the profligacy, the improvidence and the various other moral evils, which necessarily accompany the slave trade, will, it is to be feared, long survive the extinction of that traffic which produced and fostered them. The whole history of mankind shews that the progress of civilization is always extremely slow during its earliest stages; and that the first steps in the career of improvement are constantly the most painful and difficult. Hence, we may be justified in drawing the most favourable conclusions from the comparatively great increase which has already taken place in the commerce of Africa during a very short period, in consequence of a partial removal of those evils, which previously had almost excluded the very possibility of improvement. _The following_ African Words _occurring frequently in the course of the ensuing Journal, it is thought proper to prefix an explanation of them_. * * * * * _Bentang_, a sort of stage erected in every town, answering the purpose of a town hall. _Slatees_, free black merchants, often traders in slaves. _Caffle_, a caravan of slaves or of people travelling with any kind of merchandize. _Dooty_, the chief magistrate of a town or province. _Palaver_, A court of justice, or public meeting; some times a parly or negociation. _Bar_, nominal money; a single bar is equal in value to about two shillings sterling. _Kowries_, small shells which pass for money in the Interior of Africa. _Barraloolo_, a fowling--piece. _Arrangoes_, a large kind of bead. _Baft_, blue cloth of East Indian manufacture, much used in the African Trade. _Pagne_, a kind of cloth, also much used in the same trade. [Illustration: Map] [Illustration: Map] JOURNAL &c. Chapter I Departure from Kayee--Arrival at Pisania--Preparations there, and departure into the Interior--Samee--Payment to Mumbo Jumbo--Reach Jindey; process of dying cottons at that place--Departure from Jindey--Cross the Wallia Creek--Kootakunda--Madina--Tabajang--Kingdom of Jamberoo--Visit from the King's son--Tatticonda--Visit from the son of the former King of Woolli--Reach Madina, the capital of Woolli--Audience of the King; his unfriendly conduct--Presents made to him and his courtiers--Barraconda --Bambakoo--Kanipe; inhospitable conduct of its inhabitants--Kussai --Nitta--trees; restrictions relating to them--Enter the Simbani Woods; precautions thereon, and sacrifice and prayers for success--Banks of the Gambia--Crocodiles and hippopotami--Reach Faraba-Loss of one of the soldiers--Rivers Neaulico and Nerico--Astronomical observations. CHAPTER I.