At the desire of a friend, who informs us that
it will gratify a num- ber of the readers of the Spectator, we copy from the Cambridge chro- nicle, the following notice of the character, accomplishments, travels, and premature death of 3.1r. Davidson, the African traveller. " Other accounts state that Mr. Davidson anti his party travelled in a parallel route, isorne distance from, but rather behind the caravan, which uas met by a party of El fIareb. who were disappointed in not meeting Mr. Da% iilsOIL for whom they part kit- lady inquired ; he, however. S0011 came up, is ben he was instantly shot. From another report, it is considered that El Ilareb was at first friendly, lint seized the first opportunity of de,troying him treachermisly, at Sheik Maya, twenty days' journey from Wadnoor. and about tuenty.seven from Tinibuctoo. " Thus perished, in the very prime and sigotir of life, one of the most enter- prising and indefatigable travellers of the present day. Oar li in its um 1101 enable its to give 10011e than a brief sketch or the vast extent of Mr. Daviibou's peregrinations. He visitel North and Smith America, India. Egypt, (as far as the second I.atatuet,) Syria, Pe lestine. Turkey, Greece. Italy. France, and Germany. His activity was in- cessant, and he brought away with hint inkrmation and knowledge from every quarter. Few tra..ellers could boa-t or having measured the Pyramids in the great plains of Mexico, as well as those which were • the proud stork of Memphittut K ings."Fluttlin- teresting lectures which Mr. Davidson gave at the Royal Institution on Egy pt and the 1101y Land, will ham be remembered; and the artists of the celebrated limier:omits of modern Jerusalem 11/11i of Thebes, With its wondrous reniains, were indebted in no aligltt degree to his valitable assistance. The name of Davidson must now be added to the 1.st of our intrepid countrymen who have found their graves in Africa, whilst Vainly attempting to reach the great object of European curiosity. the far-famed city of Timbuctoo. Mr. Davidson united itt his own person so much of what might reason. ably be Wiretist to insure stiecess to the traveller. that. if any European was ever des- tined to v i -it 'firribuctoo, he was pointed out as the matt. To a graceful and command. kg figure, and handsome anti impressive countenance, Mr. Davidson added much skill awl prothiency in all athletic exercises: he rode well, fenced is and Was an excel- lent marksman. Ile had inured himself also to great bodily fatigues and privations. lie was blest with a kinut and benevolent disposition. and his manners were so gentle and conciliatory , that wherever he ntade an acquaintance, he never hailed to establish a friendship. his was conversant stilt the different languages of the East, and tho- Toughly acquainted taitit Eastern manners; bat lie has fallen a victim of a generous confidence, and of his own unsuspecting nature. Well and truly did Abut-Itekr, who accompanied Mr. Davidson, describe, in a most interesting letter, that perfidious people through is hiss territories Mr. Davidson was passing. • They are lull of envy of the stranger's gooda; they lie in wait to plunder him of every thing, as the lion Beth in wait for the cattle. 'I hey have no mercy on the stranger: it' the stranger were to strip off his skin and give it them, they w 01114 seize upon it.' fliese elpressions were but too prophetic of Mr. Davidson's impending fate : his relative* and his friends must Dow console themselves with the remembrance of his virtues, whilat they deplore his oss."
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