towards Dongola, were, unfortunately, the only travels in the unexplored regions of the interior of Africa which he accomplished; but his tour in Arabia, the last he performed, though not productive of additions to our geographical knowledge, enabled him to collect a vast deal of information of the highest interest.
AN ENGLISH SAILOR IN DISGUISE.
Early in the present century, the captain of an English merchant vessel calling at New Zealand, which had not at that time become a colony of England, was surprised to receive a message from the native government, written in tolerably good English. It desired him to attend upon the governor, and report the name of his vessel and other objects of his voyage, and was signed by the remarkably English-looking name of George Bruce. On presenting himself accordingly at a well-built house, which was indicated as the residence of the governor, the captain was ushered by Maori guards into the presence of that functionary, who, though attired in European clothing of a nautical cut, was so completely tattooed, as to leave at first no doubt upon the mind of the sea-captain that the governor was a Maori chief. This notion, however, was quickly dispelled when the supposed native chieftain extended his hand, and in a perfectly English accent said, "How are you, Captain Robins? I do not wonder you have forgotten me; but I remember you, as you see." A vague recollection of a seaman named Bruce, who had served
