Page 23 for only, _read_ nearly.
MEMOIR
OF
DR. OUDNEY,
THE AFRICAN TRAVELLER.
* * * * *
Although biography be the most attractive species of historical
composition, as it gratifies the prying curiosity of our nature by
making us acquainted with the origin and progress, and the retired
habits, as well as the public pursuits, conduct, and character of
distinguished individuals; yet there are few, comparatively speaking,
of the human race, the actions of whose lives possess sufficient
interest to engage the attention of their fellow-men, or are, on that
account, worthy to be made the subject of biographical record. Had,
therefore, Dr. Oudney’s name not been associated with that select band
of enterprising men whose love of scientific adventure caused them to
forego their native country and the endearments of home, and to wander
in foreign lands, till they fell the victims of their own enthusiasm;
we are ready to grant that, in all probability, notwithstanding his
accomplishments and his worth, he would have been allowed to rest
uninquired after with those millions of mankind who, the feverish
bustle of life being over, have become “to dumb forgetfulness a prey.”
But as he had the ardour of mind to undertake an expedition into the
interior of Africa with the view of enlarging the dominions of science,
and the perseverance to prosecute the enterprise, till, like others
who had preceded him in the same career, he sacrificed his life in the
performance of his duty; the incidents of his history have thereby
acquired an interest, which, in other circumstances, they could not
have possibly possessed; and, hence, a short memoir of his life cannot
fail to afford a high gratification to a numerous class of readers; and
this it is the object of the following pages to supply.
Doctor Walter Oudney was born, of humble parentage, in the vicinity
of Edinburgh, in the month of December, 1790. From his boyhood he
discovered an uncommon disposition and aptitude for learning; so that
he could scarcely be induced to take the necessary hours of repose.
It does not appear, however, that at this early period he manifested
that inclination for travelling or adventure which afterwards operated
so powerfully on his mind, and which seems to have been entirely
the result of his professional occupation as a surgeon in the Royal
Navy. Having found the means of attending the medical classes in the
university of Edinburgh, he applied himself with indefatigable ardour
to his studies, though we are not aware that he gained any other
distinction beyond that of the esteem of his class-fellows, and the
approbation of the respective professors under whom he studied; with
some of whom he continued on terms of intimate friendship till the
day of his death. Having passed the necessary examinations, and taken
his surgeon’s degree, he experienced little difficulty, during the
late extensive and long continued war with France, of obtaining an
appointment as a surgeon in the royal navy. In this capacity he was
employed, during a series of years, on various stations, and among
others in the Indian ocean; and throughout the whole of that important
period of his life, while he was assiduous in the prosecution of his
professional studies, he was, at the same time, particularly careful
to increase the quantity, and to extend the sphere of his general
knowledge. For this laudable purpose, he applied himself with diligence
to the reading of the Greek and Latin classics, and made great progress
in the acquisition of the French, the Italian, and several other of the
modern languages of Europe.
When, by means of the noble perseverance and the heroic bravery of
Great Britain and her allies, the terrible and desolating war which
had broken out at the French revolution—a war which involved not only
the whole of Europe, but the greater part of the world at large in
its interests, and which, during a long series of years, was carried
on with unexampled pertinacity and magnitude of effort, both by sea
and land—had ended in the subversion of the usurped power of Napoleon
Bonaparte, and the restoration of the exiled princes of Bourbon to the
royal authority which had been so long exercised by their ancestors,
and when thereby peace was once more allowed to revisit the almost
exhausted nations of Europe; Mr. Oudney, with thousands of his
countrymen, had an opportunity of returning to his native country, and
of revisiting the city in which he had received his education, and
with which, consequently, he had many endearing and tenderly-cherished
associations. He was now a naval surgeon on half pay, and, we
believe, in the prospect of some prize-money; and, what must have
been peculiarly agreeable to his mind, which was eminently gentle,
sedate, and full of sensibility, he had an opportunity of witnessing
the grateful and enthusiastic exultation which was exhibited by all
ranks and descriptions of men for the gallant and signally important
achievements, which, for the benefit and honour of the country, had
been accomplished by the service with which he had been so long
connected, and by which the dignity and the independence of the British
empire had been so gloriously sustained.
Mr. Oudney, on his return, found his mother and his young sisters
residing in Edinburgh, and with these near relations, who ever were,
and continued to the last to be, the objects of his duteous affection
and tender solicitude, he once more domesticated; and while he treated
his mother, now advancing into the vale of years, with the respectful
attention and kindness which filial regard alone can dictate, he was
to his sisters at once a father and a brother. He put them in the way
of receiving a good education, was careful to impress upon their minds
the lessons of virtue and religion, and introduced them to society of
a higher grade than, without his assistance, they could have hoped
to associate. Indeed, during the whole period of Mr. Oudney’s public
service, his mother and his sisters had never ceased to engage his
solicitous attention; and to assure them of his affection towards
them, and of his desire to minister to their comfort, he had from time
to time sent them money so long as his public duties kept him at a
distance from their society. This fact, so worthy of being recorded
and remembered to Mr. Oudney’s honour, is a proof that his mind,
which had been early impressed, continued to be steadily actuated, by
a sentiment, which has long formed a distinguishing feature in the
character of the Scottish peasantry; namely, the obligation so deeply
felt, and so generally acted upon by them, of contributing to the
support of their aged and dependent relatives. To form and to cherish
this generous principle in the minds of the young, constitutes a part
of their religious education, and hence spring many of those pure and
lofty virtues which are often seen exemplified even in the humblest
walks of life, and which are nowhere depicted with more truth and
feeling than in the immortal pages of Burns. This is a trait in the
Scottish character which is truly ennobling, and which we fondly hope
no change of manners will ever weaken or efface.
As soon as Mr. Oudney had settled in Edinburgh he resumed his
professional studies, and having completed the _curriculum_, prescribed
to those who wish to take the degree of Doctor of Medicine, he obtained
that academical rank upon the first of August 1817, his inaugural
dissertation being “_De Dysenteria Orientali_,” a subject to which
his attention was doubtless directed by having had an opportunity
of observing the character and treatment of that disease during the
period of his naval practice. He now became a medical practitioner in
Edinburgh, and was very careful to observe and record the symptoms and
circumstances which, in that capacity, came under his notice. While
he was thus employed, he was in the habit of imparting the result of
his observations to his medical friends, and among others, to Dr.
Abercrombie of this city, who, once and again, in his communications to
the “Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal,” has mentioned Dr. Oudney
with approbation, and incorporated his young friend’s information with
that of his own. We likewise observe in the same Journal (for July
1820) a paper by Dr. Oudney, entitled, “Cases of _Ileus_ from a twist
of the colon,” and we are assured on the authority of one of the most
intimate of his medical friends, that he frequently sent communications
to the “London Medical Journal.” At this period he was assiduous in the
study of chemistry and natural history. Botany, especially, engaged
much of his attention; and, we believe, he was indebted to the late Dr.
Scott for much valuable information on this interesting department of
physical knowledge. He and Dr. Scott commenced a botanical work on the
grasses; he was employed by Dr. Duncan in arranging the plates of a
botanical work belonging to the university library; and, we have been
told, that at one time he entertained serious thoughts of becoming
a lecturer on British botany. We know that he was enthusiastically
attached to this study, and oftener than once we have accompanied
him when he went on botanical excursions. He not only attended
the natural history class in the university of Edinburgh, so ably
taught by Professor Jameson, but he became likewise a member of the
Wernerian Natural History Society, which, under the auspices of the
same professor, has long held a conspicuous place among the scientific
associations of the country.
It is a singular circumstance in the feelings and character of Dr.
Oudney, that although the sedateness of his disposition and the
benevolence of his heart made him enjoy the quietness and the comfort
of home, and the interchange of the kind affections with his relations
and friends around the domestic hearth, with a peculiar degree of
satisfaction; although his steadiness and attention, joined to his
professional experience and skill, were fast procuring for him an
extensive medical practice; and although he could have formed a
matrimonial alliance both agreeable to his feelings and advantageous
to his prosperous establishment in life: yet, such was his love of
distinction as a scientific traveller, and so strong was his desire
of exploring distant, and of discovering unknown regions, that he
was willing, for a while, to forego every other consideration for
the sake of gratifying this master-passion of his mind. The hope of
having it in his power of visiting foreign countries, and of extending
the boundaries of physical knowledge, stimulated him to persevere in
those scientific pursuits which were especially fitted to qualify
him for accomplishing this purpose on which he had so steadfastly
set his heart; and caused him to make his sentiments on this subject
known to such individuals as he supposed had influence sufficient
to promote the object which he had in view. For this end, he would
have had no objections to have resumed his public services as a naval
surgeon, trusting that he might be sent to some station favourable for
prosecuting the inquiries which he was so anxious to make. But the
interior of Africa was the field of investigation on which his own
wishes were bent. The considerations, that the climate of that country
had been fatal to so many former travellers, and that its inhabitants
had showed themselves averse to have it traversed by strangers, were
unable to exert an influence over his mind sufficiently strong to
deter him from engaging in the enterprise if he should have it in his
power to make the attempt. He felt that his constitution was vigorous;
he had already acquired some knowledge of tropical climates; and he
trusted that he possessed prudence and precaution sufficient to enable
him to surmount every opposing obstacle, and to conduct any expedition
on which he might be sent to a favourable and satisfactory issue. And
sooner, we believe, than he expected, he had an opportunity of putting
his sanguine anticipations to the test of experiment.
When it was known that government had resolved to send a new expedition
to explore the central parts of Africa, and especially to trace the
course, and endeavour to ascertain the termination of the Niger, Dr.
Oudney, through the influence of Professor Jameson, along with Major
Denham, and Captain Clapperton, was, greatly to his own satisfaction,
appointed on this interesting mission. He had no fears of losing his
health by travelling, was very sanguine that his labours would be
crowned with success, and, being amply provided with instructions,
by his friend Professor Jameson, how to prosecute his inquiries, and
to collect and preserve specimens of the natural productions of the
countries he was about to visit, he took farewell of his friends in
Scotland and went to London in the summer of the year 1821. And we are
peculiarly happy, that by means of a regular series of letters to his
eldest sister, and to some other of his correspondents, we are enabled
not only to make him give a luminous account of the rest of his career,
but also to impart much new and valuable information respecting the
countries in which he travelled. The first of the Doctor’s letters from
which we shall take an extract, is one which he sent to his friend Mr.
James Kay, surgeon of the Royal Navy, from London, on the eve of his
setting out on his expedition.
“Here I am actively engaged in business of one kind or another. But I
expect to finish and arrange every thing to day; for it is probable
Clapperton and I shall depart to-morrow morning, unless the mail be
detained a few days, a thing which I understand often happens. I
have found every thing very agreeable here. Those with whom I have
had to deal have been exceedingly polite, and in most respects have
forwarded my views as far as possible. Our worthy friend Clapperton
gets on amazingly well. I am in high spirits respecting my mission;
from all that I have been able to learn, very little danger, and
scarcely any impediments, are to be apprehended. We have got excellent
fowling-pieces and pistols, and a most valuable assortment of
philosophical instruments. The former, I hope, except for the purposes
of natural history, will scarcely be required—an agreement exists
between the British government and the pasha of Tripoli respecting the
conveying of travellers safe to Bornou, therefore, so far as he is
concerned, all is safe.”
The next letter in the series from which we shall quote is addressed to
his eldest sister, and is dated “Malta, October 17, 1821.”
“This is certainly a curious island, it was originally a barren rock,
but the labour of man has done wonders. Soil has been transported from
different places, on which many gardens have been formed. The town is
a strong fortress, celebrated in history for the noble stand which it
made against the whole power of the infidels. You can have no idea
of the houses from any thing you see in Edinburgh. The roofs are all
flat, and well fitted for a warm climate. The entrance is capacious
and gloomy, not unlike that of ancient baronial castles. The rooms
are lofty, the floors of which are paved with stone; and the walls
are generally decorated with large paintings. There is one very fine
church, St. John’s, the floors of which are all of the finest marble,
with some fine specimens of mosaic work, and the walls are adorned with
beautiful paintings and well executed sculpture. There are, however,
many marks of decay on the exterior of the building, which, by the bye,
does not present that grand appearance that one would expect.”
The two letters which follow in the series are both dated “Tripoli,
October 24, 1821,” and relate principally to what occurred on the
passage from England to Africa.
“We are here at last, and a pretty place it is; so built, however, that
three can scarcely walk a-breast in the streets: every few yards a
house is in ruins, for there exists among the Moors a strange dislike
to repair any thing, particularly houses. Whether that arises from
indolence or superstitious notions, I cannot tell, but the fact is
evident to the most superficial observer. Our passage to Malta was
exceedingly agreeable—long certainly, but pleasant company prevented
_tedium_. I visited the galleries at Gibraltar, and was highly pleased
with the grandeur of the design. Your favourite fort, Malta, excited
very little interest in my mind, not that the place is deficient in
interest, but we were fretful from experiencing great harassment
from individuals who ought to have forwarded our views, so that a
disinclination to enjoy any thing was induced. On our arrival here,
we found matters far beyond our expectation; far to the south of
Bornou is open to us, and almost entirely subject to the pasha of
Tripoli. All our route is clear and free from danger. The pasha’s word
is a law not to be disobeyed, and he has pledged himself to protect
us fifty-seven days’ journey beyond Bornou. On our landing, that
favourable intelligence made us leap for joy. The Mahometans here are
a most liberal sort of men, and tolerate people of every religious
persuasion—a circumstance almost unknown in any other Mahometan
country. The police is admirable, so that a stranger may traverse
every part of the city without the least apprehension. As to the moral
condition of the people, I can say but little, as I have had very
imperfect opportunities of observing them.
“I must now describe to you my introduction to the pasha. The
court-yard was filled with people of very different complexions,
mostly the servants, guards, and relations of the pasha. The group
had a most motely appearance; many were superbly dressed, others were
in rags and filthy in the extreme. The room in which his Highness
was seated was decent, with nothing gaudy. He sat at the farther end
of the room, and his two sons sat on chairs at the other end of it;
while many of his guards and ministers stood in different positions
round the chamber. He was grave, and his muscles were as motionless
as those of a statue, so much so that I was several times inclined to
laugh. The gravity, however, ceased after a little conversation, and
then a scene was displayed far from being disagreeable. He conversed
with apparent pleasure on the success of his arms, and on the great
distance to which he could convey the mission in perfect safety. That,
you may be assured, was agreeable intelligence to us, and inspired us
with hopes of almost certain success. I had to prescribe for him, for
no sooner had I entered the room than my advice was requested. The
two sons present were tolerably good-looking men; the elder of them
was corpulent and very like his father; and the younger of them tall,
slender, and, upon the whole, a good-looking young man. The pasha’s
dress was clean, plain and neat. I hope we shall be able to set off
early in December—a fine season for travelling—and expect to eat our
new yearday’s dinner in Mourzuk. We travel in European dresses, and in
this respect we shall be different from most of the former travellers
in this part of Africa. The pasha approves of our resolution, and the
consul is highly delighted with it. Indeed, on reflecting seriously on
the matter, I think the plan is by far the most judicious. Hypocrisy
almost always engenders suspicions; and the people well know that our
pretensions to be of their religion are only feigned.”
With regard to the last-mentioned statement of the above letter,
we know that Dr. Oudney was resolute in his determination not to
travel under an assumed name and character. He was too sincere and
conscientious a Christian ever to venture to lay aside the avowed
practice of its duties for the attainment of any purpose whatsoever. He
was strongly urged by some of his scientific friends to endeavour to
control his scruples on this subject, and, like his predecessors in the
same scheme of exploring Africa, to travel as an Arab and a disciple of
Mahomet, but without success; and he declared that he would far rather
abandon the enterprise to which he had been appointed, than even in
appearance to renounce his faith. It so happened that the humour of the
pasha of Tripoli, and the circumstances of his dominions at the time
they were traversed by the mission to which Dr. Oudney was attached,
favoured his design. It is quite clear neither Dr. Oudney nor his
companions could have travelled in Africa as Mahometans, from their
comparative ignorance of the languages of the east, and of the rites of
the religion of the Arabian prophet. None of them had the preparatory
training previous to the commencement of their journey as was enjoyed
by Burckhardt and others; so that they must have been quickly detected
as impostors had they assumed the profession of Islamism; and it is
very true, as the Doctor remarks, that an exposed hypocrite is an
odious character in any country. It is quite obvious, however, that
the more familiar travellers are with the language of the people among
whom they travel, and the better acquainted they are with their manners
and customs, and their religious tenets and ceremonies, they will
thereby best secure their confidence, and be the better enabled to
adapt themselves to all circumstances, persons, and seasons, which they
may meet with, as well as greatly increase their means of obtaining
the knowledge of which they are in search. But whether Dr. Oudney’s
declared resolution to travel as an Englishman and a Christian be
approved of or not; or whether his conduct in this respect may or may
not be imitated by others, every one must admire the honest sincerity
of heart, and the unbending integrity of principle which his resolution
manifested. There is another letter to his sister of the same date
as the preceding, which likewise contains some facts worthy of being
published.
“_Tripoli, October 24_, 1821.
“It is with the sincerest joy I communicate to you my safe arrival
here. Every thing smiles and promises complete success to our
enterprise. Accounts arrived here a few days ago, that the pasha’s
army had penetrated to fifty-seven days’ journey beyond Bornou—a
circumstance exceedingly favourable to us, as no danger need be
apprehended the greater part of the way we design to take. This town
has a very indifferent appearance. I expected to see numerous domes
and gilded minarets, but such is not the case; a few ill-shaped plain
minarets are the only objects that relieve the eye. The houses are
clumsily built, with windows looking into a square court. The roofs
are all flat, and on them the Moors enjoy themselves in the evenings,
smoking their pipes. The streets are narrow, and, from the deficiency
of windows, have a very sombre effect. The inhabitants consist of
Moors, Jews, Christians, and Negroes; and although most of them are
poor and filthy, and live in miserable dwellings, yet they may be
regarded as happy; for there is here more toleration than in any other
Mahometan country.
“I have been presented to the pasha. He was sitting, with great
dignity, on his couch, in the manner of eastern princes, and with
a slight nod returned our salutations: he appeared to be about the
middle size—very corpulent—and apparently about forty years of age. He
was grave—a necessary part of the ceremony, I suppose—for it vanished
considerably when he began to converse. He promised us every protection
through all his dominions, which extend far to the south, and said he
should astonish Britain by the distance he could conduct us all in
safety into the interior of the country. The castle he inhabits is far
from being neat and clean, and many of his attendants present a very
shabby appearance. The neighbouring country has nothing prepossessing;
a few date and other trees line the outskirts of the town; but for many
miles beyond this there is nothing but sand. In a few days we intend to
make an excursion with a party into the mountains, and to the remains
of an ancient Roman city. In my next, I shall give you some particulars
of the excursion.”
None of the letters in our possession contain any thing relative to the
mountains or the antiquities in the neighbourhood of Tripoli; but we
remember to have heard extracts of a letter from Dr. Oudney to one of
his friends in Edinburgh, dated Tripoli, 30th of October 1821, in the
Wernerian Natural History Society; and these extracts formed the result
of the excursion which he tells his sister he intended to make to the
mountains of Tripoli and to the ruins of a Roman city. His next letter
to his sister is dated Tripoli, December 10th, 1821, in which he says—
“I am busy making preparations for my journey, which I expect to
commence about a fortnight hence. Every thing goes on well, and the
prospects of success are of the most promising kind. The climate here
is delightful, neither too hot nor too cold, but a just medium. A
considerable degree of cold, however, may be expected during the time
of part of our journey; but it is easier to remedy cold than heat. My
health is excellent, and I hope it will continue so.”