The dreary day, ’mid trackless wood,
The lion at their side,
The gloomy night, when rocks, and foes,
Were on the faithless tide.
Mid slav’ry, suffering, deserts, death,
It has been theirs to roam,
Led onward by that general thought,
"What will they say at home?"
Science, thy own adventurers
Again are on their way—
And but for thy most glorious hopes,
What were our mental day?
Sail on, proud bark, a lofty aim
It was that freighted thee,
And for their sake who tread thy decks,
God speed thee o’er the sea!
July, 1832.
It need scarcely be stated, that the above verses refer to the Expedition which has been equipped by the enterprising merchants of Liverpool, to carry British commerce to the interior of Africa; and which is accompanied by the elder Lander, the faithful companion of the lamented Captain Clapperton. Although the direct object of this Expedition is to establish, by means of the river Quorra or Niger, an intercourse with hitherto inaccessible nations, the advancement of our geographical knowledge has not been neglected, as a naval officer, distinguished for his scientific attainments, proceeds with it, in order to take observations and make surveys.
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