The great Egyptian stream seems still disinclined to yield up its long-restrained mystery. The limit of exploration on the White Nile has hitherto been at Gondokoro, a town situated a long distance above Khartoom. But the Italian, Giovanni Miani, assisted only by his own energies, and the most slender pecuniary resources, has very recently succeeded in reaching a place called Galufi, 180 geographical miles beyond Gondokoro, and separated from the most northerly point attained by Captain Skeke by a strip of country only 270 geographical miles in breadth.
The natives were found to differ greatly from those below, having the fine features so often seen on the Egyptian tomb-paintings, and speaking a Coptic dialect. They are of very warlike disposition, and Miani was obliged to prepare his few followers for battle before entering any village. The people were totally ignorant of any such large lake as the Nyanza in connection with the Nile, and asserted that the sources of the river were at a place named Pontiko, lying in the direction of Mount Kenia. This statement, coming from within two degrees of the equator, opens the vexed question again after everybody had pretty well made up their minds that the Nyanza was the long-sought fountain of the Egyptian stream, and were only waiting for the return of Captain Speke from his present expedition, to fully confirm them in this belief.
The success of Miana has been so extraordinary that the Viceroy of Egypt has ordered a force of 200 negro soldiers to return with him to the point where be was obliged to abandon his attempt, and to give him every assistance in a continued ascent of the river. In a few weeks, no less than four distinct nationalities will be represented In this quarter of Africa by as many well-supported expeditions, namely: the French by that LeJean, the English by that of Speke, the Germans by that of Heuglin, and the Italians by that of Miani. It will, therefore, during the year 1861, be the center of geographical interest.
The Cincinnati Daily Press, February 13, 1861