5. The country now called Morocco was conquered by the Saracens, about the same time with the other Barbary states. So also was Tripoli. All these states, except Morocco, afterwards fell into the hands of the Turks. 6. During a long period, the Barbary states were in the habit of fitting out vessels to cruise against the ships of every nation. Their prisoners were sold as slaves, and never returned to their own country, unless a high ransom were paid for them. 7. The Americans were the first who made any considerable resistance to these outrages. In the year 1803, Commodore Preble sailed to the Mediterranean Sea with a small American fleet. He attacked Tripoli, and forced the bashaw to give up his prisoners. 8. In the year 1815, Commodore Decatur was sent with a fleet against Algiers. He captured their largest vessels, and compelled the Algerines, and the Tripolitans also, to agree never more to make slaves of Americans. 9. In 1816, Algiers was bombarded by an English and Dutch fleet commanded by Lord Exmouth, and eleven hundred Christian captives were restored to freedom. This was the severest chastisement that the Algerines had ever received at that period. But in 1830, the French sent a large naval and military force against Algiers, commanded by Marshal Bourmont. The fortifications were battered down, and the city was taken; and Algiers may now be considered a province of France. QUESTIONS. 1. What are the Barbary states? bounded?- -2. Where did ancient Carthage stand? it? 3. Who erected a new city? What did the How are they Who founded Saracens do? When was Tunis seized by the Turks ?- -4. When and by whom was Algiers built? What happened in 1518? Who were called Barbarossa?- -5. What of Morocco and Tripoli?-6. What were those states in the habit of doing?-7. What was done in 1803 ? What of Commodore Preble ? -8. What was done in the year 1815? What agreement did the Tripolitans and Algerines make? 9. When was Algiers bombarded by Lord Exmouth? How many captives were released? What took place in 1830? How may Algiers now be considered? 1. MOST of the other regions of Africa can hardly be said to have any history. The inhabitants possess no written records, and cannot tell what events have happened to their forefathers. 2. The ancients had very curious notions about Africa; for they had visited only the northern parts, and contented themselves with telling incredible stories about the remainder. They supposed that towards the eastern shore of the continent there were people without noses, and others who had three or four eyes apiece. 3. In other parts of Africa there were said to be men without heads, but who had eyes in their breasts. Old writers speak also of a nation whose king had a head like a dog. There was likewise said to be a race of giants, twice as tall as ordinary men and women. 4. But the prettiest of all these fables is the story of the Pygmies. These little people were said to be about a foot high, and were believed to dwell near the source of the river Nile. Their houses were built something like birds' nests, and their building materials were clay, feathers, and egg-shells. 5. These Pygmies used to wage terrible wars with the cranes. An immense army of them would set out on an expedition, some mounted on rams and goats, and others on foot. 6. When an army of the Pygmies encountered an army of the cranes, great valour was displayed on both sides. The cranes would rush forward to the charge, flapping their wings, and sometimes one of them would snatch up a Pygmy in his beak, and carry him away captive. 7. But the Pygmies brandished their little swords and spears, and generally succeeded in putting the enemy to flight. Whenever they had an opportunity, they would break the eggs of the cranes, and kill the unfledged young ones without mercy. 8. Until within a few years, the moderns have not known much more about the interior of Africa than the ancients did. They have now acquired considerable knowledge respecting it. Nearly the whole of the central part of Africa, through which the river Niger flows, is called Nigritia, or Negroland. It is inhabited by several different nations. 9. The principal city in Nigritia is called Timbuctoo. It is situated eight miles from the Niger. The houses are only one story high, and are built of round bricks baked in the sun. The poor people and slaves dwell in huts of straw, shaped something like bee-hives. All around the city there is an immense plain of yellowish-white sand. 10. There are English, and French, and Portuguese settlements on the western coast of Africa. The Cape of Good Hope, the southern point of Africa, was formerly a Dutch colony, but was captured by the English in 1806. QUESTIONS. 1. Describe the inhabitants of most parts of Africa. -2. Mention the notions of the ancients concerning Africa4. Give some account of the Pygmies.- -8. What knowledge have the moderns of the interior of Africa?- -9. Describe Timbuctoo. -10. What of the European settlements? How long have the English had possession of the Cape of Good Hope? CHAPTER XLIII.- The Slave Trade. 1. The most painful part of the history of Africa is that which belongs to the slave trade. From the earliest ages, when human society was yet in a rude state, it was the custom to make slaves of those who were taken in war. This practice was continued in after times, and thus, for centuries, slavery was established in many nations. 2. The diffusion of Christianity in time convinced men of the sinfulness of this practice, and it fell into disuse. In 1482, however, the Portuguese began the horrid traffic of the slave trade, and were soon followed by other nations. From that time, it has continued to the present day, though England has made treaties with many nations for its suppression; but it has now nearly ceased. 3. For at least two hundred years, this traffic was carried on to a great extent. The custom was for vessels to go to the western coast of Africa, and purchase of the African princes such prisoners as they had for sale. Sometimes, however, the captains of the vessels would rob the people of their children, or they would go on shore, and carry away the inhabitants of a whole village. 4. The poor negroes thus taken from their homes, and separated for ever from all they held dear, were crowded into vessels, where they were half-starved, and suffered so much from disease, and the most barbarous treatment, that they frequently threw themselves into the sea to escape from their miseries. 5. Millions of these poor negroes have been taken from their homes, and probably more than half of those who entered the ships, from the beginning of the trade to this day, have perished before they reached the countries to which they were bound. It is by this cruel trade that slavery has been introduced into various parts of America and the West Indies. QUESTIONS. 1. What is painful in the history of Africa? How was slavery established?2. Had the Christian religion any effect upon slavery? When did the Portuguese engage in the slave trade? What has happened till the present time?- -3. How long was the traffic carried on ?-4. Describe the state of the poor negroes. -5. How has slavery been introduced into America and the West Indies? CHAPTER XLIV.-Chronology of Africa. 1. The following table exhibits the dates of the most remarkable events in the history of Africa. It may be well to compare this with the chronology of Asia, by which you may see what was doing in that quarter, while these events were happening in Africa. The Portuguese begin the slave trade Discovery of a passage to India by the Cape of Good Hope 1497 Egypt conquered by the Turks 1517 A government founded at Algiers, called the regency of Algiers 1518 Tunis seized by the Turks 1574 Napoleon invades Egypt 1798 Sir Ralph Abercrombie drives the French out of Egypt 1801 1800 The English take the Cape of Good Hope from the Dutch 1806 The teacher may here add such questions upon this table of chronology as he may deem proper. |