a country in the interior of Western Africa, situated between the Ba-Fing and the Faleme, the two great upper tributaries of the Senegal. The chief characteristic of this country is the quantity of gold with which its soil is almost universally impregnated.

The Portuguese, it appears, penetrated early into Bambouk, and were even for some time masters of the country; but the inhabitants, inflamed by their oppressions, made a general rising, and completely drove them out. The French, when they formed their settlement on the Senegal, soon directed their eager search towards a country abounding in so valuable a commodity; but their efforts to penetrate into it proved for a long time abortive. At length, in 1716, one Compagnon succeeded, by great address, and not without risk, in gaining the favour of some leading persons, and obtaining a view of the mineral treasures of this country. David and Levens, two successive French governors, afterwards contrived to effect an entrance. Sieur Brue, the most enterprising of the governors of Senegal, laid before the French administration a plan by which, with 1200 men, he undertook to conquer and maintain Bambouk. Such an expedition might very probably have been in the first instance successful, and the French might probably, by skilful working, have greatly increased the produce of the mines; but when we consider the various casualties and difficulties attendant on the occupation of this interior region, it must appear very doubtful if this would have been in the end a profitable possession.

Bambouk is fertile and populous along the banks of the rivers, but many of the interior districts are arid and barren. There is a king, but the farmers or chiefs compose nearly an independent feudal body. The population is Mandingo, yet the Mahometan religion is professed; but the observance consists chiefly in some outward ceremonies, and the Bamiyan marabouts or priests of that faith are carefully excluded from the kingdom.