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PART THE TWELFTH.

AFRICA.

CENTRAL AFRICA.

Full accounts, both from Dr. Vogel and Dr. Barth, have come to hand. Those of the former reach up to February 20, 1854, and have consequently taken only about three months to travel from Kuka to London.

Wurno, situated fifteen geographical miles north-east of Sokoto, though even its name was hitherto unknown, is at present a more important town than Sokoto itself, as being the residence of the Fellata Emperor; it is quite a new town, having been founded by Bello in 1831, and lies on a gentle eminence in a bend of the river Rima, which here flows towards Sokoto. It contains at present 12,000 to 13,000 souls, among which are the most opulent inhabitants of Sokoto, who left that town when Wurno was founded. As to the market, however, that of Sokoto is still superior to that of Wurno, and forms one of the best provided markets in all Central Africa. As to the number of inhabitants, Sokoto is also much above Wurno, still possessing as it does 20,000 to 22,000 souls.

The commerce of those places with the Mediterranean shores is now in the hands of the people of Aïr and Ghat, who arrive annually with the large salt caravans of the Itésan and Kelgeres. Sokoto has a mixed population, the Zoromaua forming the chief portion of the inhabitants; they are, unlike the tribes of pure Pullo or Fellan origin very industrious, and are excellent workmen in leather, iron, and gebbega or cotton-stripes. The articles of iron made at Sokoto are the best in all Sudan, and Barth purchased some specimens of beautiful workmanship.-Athenæum, June 3, 1854.

TIMBUCTOO.

The city of Timbuctoo, which to reach has been the life's ambition of so many celebrated travellers, is placed by Dr. Barth in 18° 3' 30" to 18° 4′ 5′′ north latitude, and 1° 45′ west longitude, Greenwich. Its form is that of a triangle; it is closely built of houses, mostly of clay and stone, many with handsome and tasteful fronts, the interior being similarly arranged to that of the houses in Agadez, visited by Dr. Barth in 1850. The population is estimated at 20,000 souls. Dr. Barth found the market of Timbuctoo, celebrated as the centre of the North African caravan trade, of less extent than that of Kano, but the merchandize of superior quality and of greater value. He has obtained a complete imana from the Sheikh for any English traders who may wish to visit Timbuctoo.-Letter signed "Augustus Petermann,” March 25, 1854.

FRESH SHOAL OR ISLAND.

Melbourne, Aug.1853. Captain Inglis, of the iron ship Guantlet, of Liverpool, left Gravesend on Sept. 4, 1853, and on the 21st was in lat. 14 N., long. 27 W., thence to the line, with light winds and calms. He crossed the line on the 7th of October, and passed the Cape on the first of November, in lat. 48 S., and passed Karugolen's Island on the 11th, in lat. 53 S. He here encountered continual snow storms for a fortnight, accompanied by N. and N.E. winds. In lat. 50° 50′, long. 77° 30', he passed over a bank of shoal water, the water suddenly becoming of a muddy appearance, and he has no doubt but that he passed within a very short distance of some hitherto undiscovered shoal or island, as the water became perfectly smooth; but in consequence of the heavy fall of snow, Captain Inglis was unable to make such minute observations as he otherwise would have done. This shore, or island, was observed by the crew and passengers, as well as by the captain, who called them to witness the discovery he had made. Observing the blue water ran to the S.E. off the shoal, he steered away direct S. for one hour, going 13 knots, and then dropped suddenly into blue water. Captain Inglis strongly recommends all navigators running from England to this port, on a great circle, to keep a look-out when they arrive in this latitude. He had, from this point to Melbourne, a very tedious passage, encountering N.E. winds. The captain appears to recommend this course from England, but at the same time would advise masters to have their vessels efficiently manned, an advantage which, unfortunately, he does not appear to have been possessed of.

DISCOVERY OF GOLD.

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It has been known for several years that copper to some extent was to be found in the country of the Namaquas, or, as it is called, Namaqualand, but owing to the barrenness of the country, the scarcity of water, and consequent difficulty of transport to the coast, it was doubted whether it could be profitably worked. One of our enterprising mercantile firms has, however, tested this, and is reaping its reward, the ore collected and exported to England being found to be of a very rich description, and the difficulties of transport much less than was at first anticipated. This has attracted the notice of many, and there is something like a rush upon government for "licences to search" within given distances, which are granted at a rent of 10s. per acre per annum. eral mining companies have also been formed, or are in the course of formation, so that there is every prospect of large quantities of this valuable mineral being exported from this colony shortly. Besides this, it has been lately discovered that some of the copper ore collected contains a portion of gold, thus greatly enhancing its value, even if the more precious metal be not found in large quantities, as by many it is anticipated it will be. The foregoing remarks refer to the Namaqualand-a country bounded by the South Atlantic Ocean, the Great Orange River, and the district of Clanwilliam, and being part of the territory added to this colony by Sir Harry Smith, in December, 1847. In the Sovereignty, or country north of the Orange River, small nuggets of gold have been discovered in the quartz rock with which that country abounds, and many people are "prospecting" in that direction; and further to the north, in the country occupied by the Dutch farmers, whose independence has lately been recognised by Her Majesty's representative in this colony, some similar discoveries have been made; but, it is said, a law has been passed by the "Volksraad," excluding all Englishmen from the right to search for it.-Cape Monitor, April, 1854.

COTTON MARKET AND EXCHANGE.

Alexandria, June 18, 1854. Cotton for shipment is excessively scarce, nothwitstanding that an accumulation of three year's crops exists in the hands of government, but no one can calculate when it will be disposed of. The freight of this article to the United Kingdom is d. per lb. in full. Exchange on London, 99 piastres per £ sterling.-Messrs. Pothonier and Co.'s Circular, in Economist, July 1, 1854.

EGYPT.

CORN.

The French Consul-General at Alexandria has announced to the Chamber of Commerce of Marseilles that, by decree of April 5, 1854, the viceroy of Egypt has annulled the decree prohibiting the exportation of corn.-Economist, April 29, 1854.

TRADE IN 1853.

By the annual report of the customs of Alexandria, the total amount of exports from Egypt in 1853 was 3,472,000l., and of imports into Egypt from all parts, 2,670,000l. sterling.

Great Britain, Austria, and France are the three countries trading principally with Egypt. The total value of exports to Great Britain was 1,787,5467.; to Austria, 389,000l.; to France, 491,000l. The imports from Great Britain amounted to 1,153,000l.; from Austria, 310,000l.; from France, 242,000l.

Among the exports from Egypt the most important are-Wheat, 706,000 quarters; beans, 215,000 quarters; barley, 62,000 quarters; Indian corn, 47,000 quarters; linseed, 20,000 quarters; sesame seed, 32,000 quarters; cotton, 181,000 bales; flax, 44,000 bales; wool, 22,000 bales; henna, 5,300 bales.

The exports to Great Britain comprised-Wheat, 405,000 quarters; beans, 169,000 quarters; barley, 50,000 quarters; Indian corn, 46,000 quarters; linseed, 18,000 quarters; cotton, 100,000 bales; flax, 35,000 bales; wool, 11,000 bales.

The total amount of manufactures imported into Egypt was 475,000l., of which 353,000l. were from England.

The total number of merchant vessels that sailed from the port of Alexandria in 1853 was 1,191, of which 944 were with cargoes, and 247 in ballast.

RAILWAY.

The Egyptian railway in the direction of Suez has been begun by a branch line of about three miles, which is to be laid between the main line near Cairo and the Viceroy's residence at Abbaseeyah, which is on the road to Suez.Allen's Indian Mail, June 29, 1854.

OVERLAND ROUTE.

Overland travellers have now the advantage of being conveyed between Alexandria and the Nile, a distance of sixty-six miles, by the railway. The first departure from Alexandria occurred on the 4th instant, with the passengers who arrived on that day by the Ripon, and the canal, the most tedious part of the journey through Egypt, is now avoided altogether. The whole of the line between Cairo and Alexandria is expected to be completed in another year. -Allen's Indian Mail, July 18, 1854.

MONEYS.

Alexandria and Cairo.

Accounts are kept in this country as in Turkey, in piastres and paras. The coin of almost every other country is current here. -See also Turkey.

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40 paras.

COURSE OF EXCHANGE.

London, 100 piastres for £1 sterling.

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SILVER.

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Marseilles, 5 francs 15 cts. for 1 Spanish dol.
Trieste, 123 kreutzer

Leghorn, 120 soldi

Malta, 30 tari 15 grani

ADAM SPIELMANN & Co.

MADEIRA.

PASSPORTS AND CLEARANCES.

By C. O., July 27, 1832, it is stated that the Island of Madeira is in Africa.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

The wine measure Almude, is here 1-12th larger than the Lisbon Almude and 23 Almudes are equal to a pipe of 96 imperial gallons.-Ed.

CULTIVATION OF ORANGES.

Maderia, Nov. 1853.

The failure of the vintage has turned the attention of the planters of the vine to the cultivation of oranges, 3,000 packages of which have already been sent to England during the past month.-Cor.

ISLAND OF ASCENSION.

By T. L., April 28, 1843, there is not any reason why the Island of Ascension should not be treated as a British possession, for all purposes of trade and revenue.

TRIPOLI, BARBARY, AND MOROCCO.

Principal Ports. - Fez, Medea, Mogador, Salle, Susa, Tripoli, Tunis, Tangier.

EXPORT OF WHEAT PROHIBITED.

By official announcement, January 2, 1854, from December 8, 1853, until the gathering in of the new crops, the exportation of wheat will be prohibited from all parts of that province.

ALHUCEMAS LIGHT, COAST OF BARBARY.

Hydrographic Office, August 9, 1853. It appears from a note, that a fixed light is to be exhibited during the present month on the "Torre-vigia," in Alhucemas Bay, on the coast of Barbary; but no other particulars have yet been communicated to this office.

Alhucemas Bay in the Spanish chart is in 35 deg. 15 min. N., and 3 deg. 48 min. W. of Greenwich.

GEOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

The whole empire of Morocco comprises a territory of about 220 leagues in length by 150 in breadth, has 900 miles of sea-coast-600 in the Atlantic Ocean and 300 in the Mediterranean; and contains 219,420 square miles. It is bigger than four Englands, with not half as much population, or, in proportion to its extent, has less than one person to every eight in England. The land of Morocco extremely fertile, producing admirable grain and fruit in abundance, the climate excellent, and the whole territory capable of containing and nourishing, at our present pitch of civilization, at least 150 million people. It is within less than a week's steaming of England; it is separated from

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Europe only by a few leagues; British ships pass it almost every day, and yet it is almost as much a stranger to the commerce of Europe as Japan.-Present state of Morocco, Traveller's Library, 1854.

TUNIS.

LIGHT HOUSES.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1854.

Mr. HUME wished to ask the right hon. baronet the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, since the dreadful loss of Her Majesty's steamer Avenger in the year 1847, any steps had been taken to erect a lighthouse on Galita Island, or the Aguglia rocks; and whether the still greater boon to navigation of the Mediterranean, a lighthouse on Keith's Reef, in the Skerki Channel, where His Majesty's ship Athenian, 64, was lost in the year 1806, was obtaining the attention of Government?

Sir J. GRAHAM said that the subject to which the hon. member referred had received the serious consideration of the Admiralty. With respect to his first question, as to the erection of a light-house on Galita Island, or the Aguglia rocks, the most experienced naval authorities had been consulted, and were opposed to it, inasmuch as it would only be the means of provoking those in command of vessels to incur the hazard of trying to run between that island and the coast of Africa; which was, in fact, the very way in which the steamer In answer to the second question of the hon. Avenger was lost in 1847. member, there appeared to be no doubt that a lighthouse upon Keith's Reef would be of the most essential service, as far as the navigation of the Mediterranean was concerned; but, at the same time, he thought that this country should not be called upon to bear exclusively the expenses attendant upon the same, but that some arrangements ought to be entered into on the subject.

WAR WITH RUSSIA.

In consequence of communications between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France and His Excellency Count Ruffo, Minister of the Bey of Tunis, the Tunisian Government has come to the determination of sending to ConThe Bey has informed the Consuls stantinople an armed auxiliary corps. of France and England of this resolution in a note couched as follows:Praise be to God, &c.

We have thought it our duty to take, within the limit of our means, a part in the great question which occupies the nations in the East-a question which interests the whole world. With this view we propose to despatch our ships with a division of our troops; we write to you in order that you may be informed of our intentions, &c.—May, 1854.

ALGERIA.

NEW LIGHT HOUSE ON CAPE CARBON.

Algiers, Feb. 7, 1854.

My LORD, I have the honour to transmit for your lordship's information, an extract from the Moniteur Algerien, No. 1312, of the 5th instant, being a notification of the establishment of a new lighthouse on Cape Carbon on the Coast of Algeria.

The lighthouse is of the first class, with a revolving light, which has been erected on Cape Carbon, at the entry and on the west side of the Guli of Bougia, and from the 1st of March next, the lighthouse will be lighted up every night from sunset to sunrise.

The lighthouse is situated in latitude 36° 49′ N., and in longitude 2° 49′ 40" E. of the longitude of Paris.

The centre of the light apparatus stands at an elevation of 722 feet above the level of the sea, and 33 feet above the platform where the building is situated.

Its interval of revolution is once in every minute.

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