h of the rainy
season, naked and alone, surrounded by savage animals, and men still
more savage. I was five hundred miles from the nearest European
settlement. All these circumstances crowded at once to my recollection;
and I confess that my spirits began to fail me. I considered my fate as
certain, and that I had no alternative but to lie down and perish. At
this moment, painful as my reflections were, the extraordinary beauty
of a small moss irresistibly caught my eye. I mention this to show from
what trifling circumstances the mind will sometimes derive consolation;
for though the whole plant was not larger than the tip of one of my
fingers, I could not contemplate the delicate conformation of its roots,
leaves, and capsule without admiration. Can that Being (thought I), who
planted, watered, and brought to perfection, in this obscure part of the
world, a thing which appears of so small importance, look with unconcern
upon the situation and sufferings of creatures formed after his own
image?--surely not! Reflections like these would not allow me to
despair; I started up, and disregarding both hunger and fatigue,
travelled forwards, assured that relief was at hand; and I was not
disappointed. In a short time I came to a small village, at the entrance
of which I overtook the two shepherds who had come with me from Rooma.
They were much surprised to see me, for they said they never doubted
that the Foulahs, when they had robbed, had murdered me. Departing from
this village, we travelled over several rocky ridges, and at sunset
arrived at Sibidooloo, the frontier town of the kingdom of Manding.

MUNGO PARK.

[Note: _Mungo Park_. Born in Selkirkshire in 1771; set out on his first
African exploration in 1795. His object was to explore the Niger; and
this he had done to a great extent when he was murdered (as is supposed)
by the natives in 1805.]

* * * * *

REST FROM BATTLE.

Now deep in ocean sunk the lamp of light,
And drew behind the cloudy veil of night;
The conquering Trojans mourn his beams decayed;
The Greeks rejoicing bless the friendly shade.
The victors keep the field: and Hector calls
A martial council near the navy walls:
These to Scamander's bank apart he led,
Where thinly scattered lay the heaps of dead.
The assembled chiefs, descending on th