I do not love to dwell upon geographical theories, as I believe in
nothing but actual observation; but I cannot quite disbelieve my native
informants, who assured me that they had travelled to Ujiji by canoe
from Chibero on the Albert N'yanza.
By the latest intelligence from Lieutenant Cameron, dated Ujiji, 28th
February, 1874, the mean of many observations for altitude of the
Tanganyika Lake taken with mercurial barometer, aneroids, and boiling
water thermometers, gives 2,573 feet above the sea-level.
The corrected altitude of the Albert N'yanza, taken by me at Vacovia, N.
lat. 1 degree 14', March 14, 1864, is 2,720. The uncorrected or the
absolute observation of the instrument was 2,448.
Whenever Lieutenant Cameron shall return home, it will be interesting to
observe the results of his corrected observations, as they already so
closely approach the level of the Albert N'yanza.
As the Khedive's expedition under Colonel Gordon will shortly have the
advantage of a steamer on the Albert Lake or M'wootan N'zige, the
question of a connection between the two lakes will be definitely
settled.
When that question shall have been resolved, geographers must turn their
attention to the great river Sobat, which is by far the most important
affluent of the Nile.
