The attempt proved a failure, however, and entailed on Beke considerable pecuniary loss. But Beke was so convinced of the feasibility of establishing commercial relations with Abyssinia, that he applied, though unsuccessfully, to the Foreign Office for the appointment of British consul at Massowah, with the object of developing his scheme.
In 1860 Beke published The Sources of the Nile; being a General Survey of the Basin of that River and of its Head Streams. With the History of Nilotic Discovery. The work was based upon the author's essay 'On the Nile and its Tributaries', and various subsequent papers. But much new information was added. The author showed how the truth of his previous contentions respecting the interior of Africa had been established by Captain Burton and other travellers; and that the 'dark continent' possessed fertile and genial regions, large rivers and lakes, and an immense population, which, if not civilised, was yet to a large extent endowed with kindly manners, humane dispositions, and industrious habits. The writer therefore pressed upon the serious consideration of the British merchant, as well as the Christian missionary and philanthropist, the necessity for opening up the continent of Africa and civilising its inhabitants.
Dr. and Mrs. Beke travelled in Syria and Palestine in 1861-62, for the purpose of exploring and identifying the Harran, or Charran of Scripture, and other localities mentioned in the book of Genesis, in accordance with the opinions expressed in Dr. Beke's Origines Biblicse in 1834. They also travelled in Egypt, in order to see and induce the merchants of Egypt to form a company for carrying out Dr. Beke's plans for opening up commercial relations with central Africa, and for promoting the growth of cotton in upper Egypt and the Soudan.' On their return, the travellers were publicly awarded the thanks of the Royal Geographical Society, and several papers were the result of this visit to the East. Beke also entered into controversy with Bishop Colenso on the subject of the exodus of the Israelites and the position of Mount Sinai.
In 1864 great indignation was caused in England by the news that Captain Cameron and a number of other British subjects and missionaries had been imprisoned by the King of Abyssinia for pretended insults. Beke at once undertook a journey to Abyssinia for the purpose of urging on King Theodore the necessity of releasing the British consul and his fellow-prisoners. Beke obtained the temporary liberation of the prisoners, but the subsequent conduct of the king, in again imprisoning and ill-treating the captives, led to the Abyssinian war, which resulted in the complete defeat, and the death, of King Theodore. During the Abyssinian difficulty Beke furnished maps, materials, and other information to the British government, and to the army, by which many of the dangers of the expedition were averted, and in all probability many lives saved. Beke received a grant of 500 £ from the secretary of state for India, but his family and friends regarded this remuneration as very inadequate for public services extending over a period of thirty or forty years, and culminating in his aid and advice in connection with the Abyssinian campaign. In June 1868 Professor E. W. Brayley, F.R.S., drew up a memorandum of the public services of Beke in respect of the Abyssinian expedition. Two years later the queen granted Beke a civil-list pension of 100 £ per annum in consideration of his geographical researches, and especially of the value of his explorations in Abyssinia.
Amongst other questions of oriental interest studied by Dr. Beke, that of the true location of Mount Sinai had always a special fascination for him. In December 1873 he left England for Egypt, accompanied by several scientific friends, for the purpose of investigating this question in person. The Khedive of Egypt placed a steamer at his disposal, and the exploring party performed a tour round the alleged Mount Sinai, and made valuable discoveries along the coast of the gulf of Akaba. They occupied themselves with the sites connected with the passage of the Red Sea by the Israelites, and afterwards proceeded into the interior, and discovered 'Mount Sinai in Arabia' called by the natives Mount Barghir. In March 1874, Beke arrived in England, and though apparently in good health, considering his advanced age, died suddenly on 31 July ensuring. He was buried at Bekesbourne on 5 Aug.
After his death his widow issued his most important work, entitled 'Discoveries of Sinai in Arabia, and of Midian,' which was accompanied by geological, botanical, and conchological reports, plans, maps, and engravings. It was claimed for him that by this work he had paved the way for others to arrive at a final settlement of the whole of the important questions connected with the exodus of the Israelites. But the questions raised in his latest volume led to much controversy, his opinions being by some vehemently opposed.
In addition to the works mentioned in the course of this biography, Dr. Beke was the
