Journal of an Expedition to Explore the Course and Termination of the Niger, 1844 - With a Narrative of a Voyage Down That River to Its Termination #231527

It is with considerable diffidence we presume today our imperfect labours before the world. We are conscious that many defects will be found in our Narrative, both as regards its style and arrangement; but we are equally sensible that the public are to be our judges, and on their candour and generosity we confidently rely. Surely when the public reflect, even for a moment, on the disadvantages against which we had to struggle, and the difficulties under which we laboured, they will not exercise too much severity of criticism.<br><br>An old poet imputes the faults of some of his poetry to his misfortunes, and says that good verses never flow but from a serene and composed spirit. Perhaps the same apology may with propriety be offered for our unpretending labours. Though we have adverted to the fact but seldom, nevertheless, throughout nearly the whole of our painful journey, we were both indisposed in a greater or less degree. In short, a very few days only had elapsed after our landing at Badagry, when we began to feel the debilitating effects of the African climate, and to experience a degree of languor which not even the warmest enthusiasm could wholly overcome.