Niger, according to Park, rises in a chain of lofty mountains, north lat. 11° and runs to the east. its mouth has not been discovered. It annually overflows its banks, fertilizing the country. The Senegal has its source 100 miles west from that of the Niger, and enters the Atlantic, lat. 15 50 north. The head of the Gambia is more than 100 miles west from that of the Senegal; with many windings, its course is nearly west, till it enters the ocean, lat. 13 30 north. The Nile divides Egypt into two parts, and discharges itself into the Mediterranean, after a prodigions course from its source in Abyssinia.

The most considerable mountains in Africa are the Atlas, a ridge extending from the Western ocean, (to which it gives the name of Atlantic ocean) as far as Egypt. The mountains of the Moon, extending themselves between Abyssinia and Monomopata, and are still higher than those of Atla. Those of Sierra Leona, or mountains of the Lions, which divide Nigritia from Guinea, and extend as far as Ethiopia. These were styled by the ancients the mountains of God, on account of their being subject to thunder and lightning.

The most noted capes or promontories in this country are Cape Verd, so called because the land is always covered with green trees and mossy grounds. It is the most westerly point of the continent of Africa. The cape of Good Hope, so denominated by the Portuguese, when they first went round it, in 1498, and discovered the passage to Asia, is the south extremity of Africa, in the country of the Hottentots. There is but one strait in Africa, which is called Babelmandel, and is the communication between the Red sea and the Indian ocean.

Africa once contained several kingdoms and states, eminent for the liberal arts, for wealth and power, and the most extensive commerce. The kingdoms of Egypt and Ethiopia, in particular, were much celebrated; and the rich and powerful, state of Carthage, that once formidable rival to Rome itself, extended her commerce to every part of the then known world; even the British shores were visited by her fleets, till Juba, who was king of Mauritania, but tributary to the republic of Carthage, unhappily called in the Romans, who, with the assistance of the Mauritanians, subdued Carthage, and by degrees all the

neighboring kingdonis and states. After this, the natives constantly plundered, and consequently impoverished, by the governors sent from Rome, neglected their trade, and cultivated no more of their lands than might serve for their subsistence. Upon the decline of the Roman enpice, in the fifth century, the north of Africa was overrun by the Vandals, who contributed still more to the destruction of arts and sciences; and, to add to this country's calamity, the Saracens made a sudden conquest of all the coasts of Egypt and Barbary, in the seventh century. These were succeeded by the Turks; and both being of the Mahometan religion, whose professors carried desolation with them wherever they came, the ruin of that once flourishing part of the world was thereby completed.

The inhabitants of this continent with respect to religion, may be divided into three sorts; Pagans, Mahometans and Christians. The first have been considered the most numerous, possessing the greatest part of the conn try, from the tropic of Cancer to the Cape of Good Hope, being generally black. But recent discoveries lead us to suppose the Mahometans are more numerous, who are of a tawny complexion, possessing Egypt, and almost all the northern shores of Africa, or what is called the Barbary coast, with many tribes in the interior. The people of Abyssinia, or the Upper Ethiopia, are denominated Christians, but retain many Pagan and Jewish rites. There are also some Jews on the north of Africa.

There are scarcely any two nations, or indeed any twolearned men, that agree in the modern divisions of Africa; and for this reason, that scarcely any traveller has pene trated into the heart of the country; consequently, we must acknowledge our ignorance of the bounds, and even the names of several of the inland nations, which may be still reckoned among the unknown and undiscovered parts of the world.

EGYPT.

THIS once celebrated country is bounded on the north by the Mediterranean; east by the Red sea, and Isthmus of Suez; south by the mountains which separate it from

Nubia; west by the deserts of Lybia. Its length, from north to south, is 500 miles; its breadth 160.

Egypt is divided into Upper and Lower; the former extending in a long and narrow valley, the outline being formed by two ridges of mountains, beyond which, on each side are sandy deserts. In this valley rolls the Nile, so celebrated, that the natives near its source pay to it divine honors. Lower Egypt includes all the country be tween Cairo and the Mediterranean, on the north and south, and between Lybia and Suez on the east and west. Bounded by sandy deserts, it contains slips of land, well eultivated and fertile, on the borders of the river and canals; and in the centre, the tract called the Delta, formed by the branches of the Nile.

The climate of Egypt is excessively hot. The fertility of its soil, and the excellence of its productions, are greatly celebrated by ancient writers.

To the overflowing of the Nile, Egypt is indebted for its fertility. Its increase, occasioned by the torrents of rain which fall yearly on the mountains of Abyssinia, is not much perceived till the summer solstice. It continues increasing till near the end of August, and often even in September. The Nilometer, at Elephantini, formerly denoted to what degree the inundation would rise. The experience of ages had afforded marks known to those whose trust it was to watch.

Among the cultivated products are rice, wheat, barley, lentils, millet,flax,beans, sugar canes and medicinal plants.

The government is composed of a pacha, sent from Constantinople, and 24 beys who are at the head of the armies, and enjoy all the power. The real natives are the Copts, who are the only descendants from the ancient Egyptians. These are Christians, though numerous superstitions practices are mingled with their worship. The Arabs constitute two thirds of the present inhabitants. There are a few Turks, and some Syrians, Greeks and Jews. The amount of the whole is about 4,000,000.

The splendid and magnificent ruins, found in Egypt, give evident proofs of the enlightened understanding of the ancient inhabitants. The pyramids are reckoned one of the greatest wonders of the world; the largest takes up eleven acres of ground, and is 500 feet in perpendicular

height. Here are found caverns containing mummies, er embalmed bodies, which are found in coffins, standing upright, where it is supposed they have continued 4000 years.

ALEXANDRIA, on the Mediterranean sea, 40 miles west of the Nile, was once the emporium of all the world. ROSETTA, 23 miles west of Alexandria, is a place of great trade. Cairo, the present capital of Egypt, is a large and populous, but a disagreeable place on account of its pestilential air and narrow streets. The other towns of note in Egypt, are DAMIETTA, supposed to be the ancient Pelusiam; SAYD. the ancient Thebes; and SUEZ, a seaport on the Red Sea.

NUBIA.

TO the south of Egypt lies the kingdom of Nubia, or Senaar. The Nile runs through it ; on the banks of the river it is fruitful, but in other places barren, sandy, and destitute of water. The inhabitants make their bread and drink of a small seed, called doea, or seff, which is very ill tasted. Their houses have mud walls, are very low, and are covered with reeds. The dress of the better sort is a vest without sleeves, and they have no coverings for their heads, legs and feet. The common people wrap a piece of linen cloth about them, and the children go quite naked. They are a stupid, debauched people, professing to be Mahometans. The productions of the country are gold, elephant's teeth, civet, and sandal wood; and a great many slaves are sent into Egypt. The principal to was, known to the Europeans, are Dangola and Senna.

DAR-FOOR

IS a kingdom of Africa, whose population is supposed to be 200,000 souls. The territory is extensive and woody. In the dry season, nothing but barrenness is visible; in the rainy, the country is covered with vegetation. The inhabitants are Mahometans. It lies southeast of Bergob, and west of Kordofan.

ABYSSINIA.

THIS kingdom lies south of Senaar and Dar-Foor, 300 leagues long and 280 broad. The surface of the country is generally rugged and mountainous, abounding in forests and morasses. It is also interspersed with some fertile vallies and plains. Besides the Nile, which has its source in this country, there are some other large rivers. The principal collection of water is the lake, or sea of Dembea.

The climate of Abyssinia is tolerable. The rainy season begins in May and lasts till September. The inhabitants, 1,800,000 in number, are Christians, Mahometans, Jews and Pagans. The professed religion of the country is Christianity; but it is mixed with many Pagan and Jewish ceremonies. Their houses are very mean. The crown is hereditary. The capital punishments are crucifixion, flaying alive, stoning, and plucking out the eyes.

THE EASTERN COAST.

THE eastern coast of Africa, from the entrance of the Red sea to the Cape of Good Hope, is but little known. It is possessed by numerous tribes, forming states and kingdoms independent of each other.

The coast of AJAN extends 1500 leagues along the Indian ocean, and is divided into several states or kingdoms, the principal of which are Adel and Magadoxo. The country is fertile, producing plenty of provisions. It carries on a profitable commerce of provisions and horses, which are exchanged with foreign merchants for silks, cottons, and other cloths. The inhabitants are Mahometans.

ZANGUEBAR, lies between 3 degrees north and 18 south latitude. It includes several petty kingdoms, in which the Portuguese have settlements. The inhabitants, except those converted by the Portuguese, are either Mahometans or Pagans, the laiter much the most numerous. The principal states are Mombaza, Lamo, Melinda, Quiola, Mosambique and Sofala. The Portuguese trade for slaves,