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diff --git a/old/13262-8.txt b/old/13262-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2d49dde --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13262-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18933 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Personal Life Of David Livingstone +by William Garden Blaikie + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Personal Life Of David Livingstone + +Author: William Garden Blaikie + +Release Date: August 23, 2004 [EBook #13262] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIVINGSTONE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Kirschner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +THE PERSONAL LIFE + +OF + +DAVID LIVINGSTONE + +LL.D., D.C.L. + +CHIEFLY FROM HIS UNPUBLISHED +JOURNALS AND CORRESPONDENCE +IN THE POSSESSION OF HIS FAMILY + +BY + +W. GARDEN BLAIKIE, D.D., LLD. +_Author of "Heroes of Israel," etc._ + + + + +PREFACE. + +The purpose of this work is to make the world better acquainted with the +character of Livingstone. His discoveries and researches have been given +to the public in his own books, but his modesty led him to say little in +these of himself, and those who knew him best feel that little is known +of the strength of his affections, the depth and purity of his devotion, +or the intensity of his aspirations as a Christian missionary. The +growth of his character and the providential shaping of his career are +also matters of remarkable interest, of which not much has yet been +made known. + +An attempt has been made in this volume, likewise, to present a more +complete history of his life than has yet appeared. Many chapters of it +are opened up of which the public have hitherto known little or nothing. +It has not been deemed necessary to dwell on events recorded in his +published Travels, except for the purpose of connecting the narrative +and making it complete. Even on these, however, it has been found that +not a little new light and color may be thrown from his correspondence +with his friends and his unpublished Journals. + +Much pains has been taken to show the unity and symmetry of his +character. As a man, a Christian, a missionary, a philanthropist, and a +scientist, Livingstone ranks with the greatest of our race, and shows +the minimum of infirmity in connection with the maximum of goodness. +Nothing can be more telling than his life as an evidence of the truth +and power of Christianity, as a plea for Christian Missions and +civilization, or as a demonstration of the true connection between +religion and science. + +So many friends have helped in this book that it is impossible to thank +all in a preface. Most of them are named in the body of the work. +Special acknowledgments, however, are due to the more immediate members +of Dr. Livingstone's family, at whose request the work was undertaken; +also to his sisters, the Misses Livingstone, of Hamilton, to Mr. Young, +of Kelley, to the venerable Dr. Moffat, and Mrs. Vavasseur, his +daughter. The use of valuable collections of letters has been given by +the following (in addition to the friends already named): The Directors +of the London Missionary Society; Dr. Risdon Bennett; Rev. G.D. Watt; +Rev. Joseph Moore; Rev. W. Thompson, Cape Town; J.B. Braithwaite, Esq.; +representatives of the late Sir R.I. Murchison, Bart., and of the late +Sir Thomas Maclear; Rev. Horace Waller, Mr. and Mrs. Webb, of Newstead +Abbey, Mr. P. Fitch, of London, Rev. Dr. Stewart, of Lovedale, and +Senhor Nunes, of Quilimane. Other friends have forwarded letters of less +importance. Some of the letters have reached the hands of the writer +after the completion of the book, and have therefore been used but +sparingly. + +The recovery of an important private journal of Dr. Livingstone, which +had been lost at the time when the _Missionary Travels_ was published, +has thrown much new light on the part of his life immediately preceding +his first great journey. + +In the spelling of African proper names, Dr. Moffat has given valuable +help. Usually Livingstone's own spelling has been followed. + +A Map has been specially prepared, in which the geographical references +in the volume are shown, which will enable the reader to follow +Livingstone's movements from place to place. + +With so much material, it would have been easier to write a life in two +volumes than in one; but for obvious reasons it has been deemed +desirable to restrict it to the present limits. The author could wish +for no higher honor than to have his name associated with that of +Livingstone, and can desire no greater pleasure than that of conveying +to other minds the impressions that have been left on his own. + +W.G. BLAIKIE. + +EDINBUBGH, 9 PALMERSTON BOAD. + +1880 + + + +CONTENTS. + + * * * * * + +CHAPTER I. + +EARLY YEARS. + +A.D. 1813-1836. + +Ulva--The Livingstones--Traditions of Ulva life--The +"Baughting-time"--"Kirsty's Rock"--Removal of Livingstone's grandfather +to Blantyre--Highland blood--Neil Livingstone--His marriage to Agnes +Hunter--Her grandfather and father--Monument to Neil and Agnes +Livingstone in Hamilton Cemetery--David Livingstone born 19th March, +1813--Boyhood--At home--In school--David goes into Blantyre Mill--First +earnings--Night-school--His habits of reading--Natural-history +expeditions--Great spiritual changes in his twentieth year--Dick's +_Philosophy of a Future State_--He resolves to be a +missionary--Influence of occupation of Blantyre--Sympathy with +People--Thomas Burke and David Hogg--Practical character of +his religion. + + +CHAPTER II. + +MISSIONARY PREPARATION. + +A.D. 1836-1840. + +His desire to be a missionary to China--Medical missions--He studies at +Glasgow--Classmates and teachers--He applies to London Missionary +Society--His ideas of mission-work--He is accepted provisionally--He +goes to London--to Ongar--Reminiscences by Rev. Joseph Moore--by Mrs. +Gilbert--by Rev. Isaac Taylor--Nearly rejected by the Directors--Returns +to Ongar--to London--Letter to his sister--Reminiscences by Dr. Risdon +Bennett--Promise to Professor Owen--Impression of his character on his +friends and fellow-students--Rev R. Moffat in England--Livingstone +interested--Could not be sent to China--Is appointed to +Africa--Providential links in his history--Illness--Last visits to his +home--Receives Medical diploma--Parts from his family. + + +CHAPTER III. + +FIRST TWO YEARS IN AFRICA. + +A.D. 1842-1843. + +His ordination--Voyage out--At Rio de Janeiro--At the Cape--He proceeds +to Kuruman--Letters--Journey of 700 miles to Bechuana +country--Selection of site for new station--Second excursion to +Bechuana country--Letter to his sister--Influence with +chiefs--Bubi--Construction of a water-dam--Sekomi--Woman seized by a +lion--The Bakaa--Sebehwe--Letter to Dr. Risdon Bennett--Detention at +Kuruman--He visits Sebehwe's village--Bakhatlas--Sechéle, chief of +Bakwains--Livingstone translates hymns--Travels 400 miles on +oxback--Returns to Kuruman--Is authorized to form new station--Receives +contributions for native missionary--Letters to Directors on their +Mission policy--He goes to new station--Fellow-travelers--Purchase of +site--Letter to Dr. Bennett--Desiccation of South Africa--Death of a +servant, Sehamy--Letter to his parents. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +FIRST TWO STATIONS--MABOTSA AND CHONUANE. + +A.D. 1843-1847. + +Description of Mabotsa--A favorite hymn--General reading--Mabotsa +infested with lions--Livingstone's encounter--The native deacon who +saved him--His Sunday-school--Marriage to Mary Moffat--Work at +Mabotsa--Proposed institution for training native agents--Letter to his +mother--Trouble at Mabotsa--Noble sacrifice of Livingstone--Goes to +Sechéle and the Bakwains--New station at Chonuane--Interest shown by +Sechéle--Journeys eastward--The Boers and the Transvaal--Their +occupation of the country, and treatment of the natives--Work among the +Bakwains--Livingstone's desire to move on--Theological conflict at +home--His view of it--His scientific labors and miscellaneous +employments. + +CHAPTER V. + +THIRD STATION--KOLOBENG. + +A.D. 1847-1852. + +Want of rain at Chonuane--Removal to Kolobeng--House-building and public +works--Hopeful prospects--Letters to Mr. Watt, his sister, and Dr. +Bennett--The church at Kolobeng--Pure communion--Conversion of +Sechéle--Letter from his brother Charles--His history--Livingstone's +relations with the Boers--He cannot get native teachers planted in the +east--Resolves to explore northward--Extracts from Journal--Scarcity of +water--Wild animals, and other risks--Custom-house robberies and +annoyances--Visit from Secretary of London Missionary Society--Manifold +employments of Livingstone--Studies in Sichuana--His reflection on this +period of his life while detained at Manyuema in 1870. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +KOLOBENG _continued_--LAKE 'NGAMI. + +A.D. 1849-1852. + +Koboleng failing through drought--Sebituane's country and the Lake +'Ngami--Livingstone sets out with Messrs. Oswell and Murray--Rivers +Zouga and Tamanak'le--Old ideas of the interior +revolutionized--Enthusiasm of Livingstone--Discovers Lake +'Ngami--Obliged to return--Prize from Royal Geographical Society--Second +expedition to the lake, with wife and children--Children attacked by +fever--Again obliged to return--Conviction as to healthier spot +beyond--Idea of finding passage to sea either west or east--Birth and +death of a child--Family visits Kuruman--Third expedition, again with +family--He hopes to find a new locality--Perils of the journey--He +reaches Sebituane--The Chief's illness and death--Distress of +Livingstone--Mr. Oswell and he go on to Linyanti--Discovery of the Upper +Zambesi--No locality found for settlement--More extended journey +necessary--He returns--Birth of Oswell Livingstone--Crisis in +Livingstone's life--His guiding principles--New plans--The Makololo +begin to practice slave-trade--New thoughts about commerce--Letters to +Directors--The Bakwains--_Pros_ and _cons_ of his new plan--His unabated +missionary zeal--He goes with his family to the Cape--His +literary activity. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +FROM THE CAPE TO LINYANTI. + +A.D. 1852-1853. + +Unfavorable feeling at Cape Town--Departure of Mrs. Livingstone and +children--Livingstone's detention and difficulties--Letter to his +wife--to Agnes--Occupations at Cape Town--The +Astronomer-Royal--Livingstone leaves the Cape and reaches +Kuruman--Destruction of Kolobeng by the Boers--Letters to his wife and +Rev. J. Moore--His resolution to open up Africa _or perish_--Arrival at +Linyanti--Unhealthiness of the country--Thoughts on setting out for +coast--Sekelétu's kindness--Livingstone's missionary activity--Death of +Mpepe, and of his father--Meeting with Ma-mochisane--Barotse +country--Determines to go to Loanda--Heathenism unadulterated--Taste for +the beautiful--Letter to his children--to his father--Last Sunday at +Linyanti--Prospect of his failing. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +FROM LINYANTI TO LOANDA. + +A.D. 1853-1854. + +Difficulties and hardships of journey--His traveling kit--Four +books--His Journal--Mode of traveling--Beauty of country--Repulsiveness +of the people--Their religious belief--The negro--Preaching--The +magic-lantern--Loneliness of feeling--Slave-trade--Management of the +natives--Danger from Chiboque--from another chief--Livingstone ill of +fever--At the Quango--Attachment of followers--"The good time +coming"--Portuguese settlements--Great kindness of the +Portuguese--Arrives at Loanda--Received by Mr. Gabriel--His great +friendship--No letters--News through Mr. Gabriel--Livingstone becomes +acquainted with naval officers--Resolves to go back to Linyanti and make +for East Coast--Letter to his wife--Correspondence with Mr. +Maclear--Accuracy of his observations--Sir John Herschel--Geographical +Society award their gold medal--Remarks of Lord Ellesmere. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +FROM LOANDA TO QUILIMANE. + +A.D. 1854-1856. + +Livingstone sets out from Loanda--Journey back--Effects of +slavery--Letter to his wife--Severe attack of fever--He reaches the +Barotse country--Day of thanksgiving--His efforts for the good of his +men--Anxieties of the Moffats--Mr. Moffat's journey to Mosilikatse--Box +at Linyanti--Letter from Mrs. Moffat--Letters to Mrs. Livingstone, Mr. +Moffat, and Mrs. Moffat--Kindness of Sekelétu--New escort--He sets out +for the East Coast--Discovers the Victoria Falls--The healthy +longitudinal ridges--Pedestrianism--Great dangers--Narrow +escapes--Triumph of the spirit of trust in God--Favorite +texts--Reference to Captain McClure's experience--Chief subjects of +thought--Structure of the continent--Sir Roderick Murchison anticipates +his discovery--Letters to Geographical Society--First letter from Sir +Roderick Murchison--Missionary labor--Monasteries--Protestant +mission-stations wanting in self-support--Letter to Directors--Fever not +so serious an obstruction as it seemed--His own hardships--Theories of +mission-work--Expansion _v_. Concentration--Views of a missionary +statesman--He reaches Tette--Letter to King of Portugal--to Sir Roderick +Murchison--Reaches Senna--Quilimane--Retrospect--Letter from +Directors--Goes to Mauritius--Voyage home--Narrow escape from shipwreck +in Bay of Tunis--He reaches England, Dec. 1856--News of his +father's death. + + +CHAPTER X. + +FIRST VISIT HOME. + +A.D. 1856-1857. + +Mrs. Livingstone--Her intense anxieties--Her poetical +welcome--Congratulatory letters from Mrs. and Dr. Moffat--Meeting of +welcome of Royal Geographical Society--of London Missionary +Society--Meeting in Mansion House--Enthusiastic public meeting at Cape +Town--Livingstone visits Hamilton--Returns to London to write his +book--Letter to Mr. Maclear--Dr. Risdon Bennett's reminiscences of this +period--Mr. Frederick Fitch's--Interview with Prince +Consort--Honors--Publication and great success of _Missionary +Travels_--Character and design of the book--Why it was not more of a +missionary record--Handsome conduct of publisher--Generous use of the +profits--Letter to a lady in Carlisle vindicating the-character of +his speeches. + + +CHAPTER XI. + +FIEST VISIT HOME--_continued_. + +A.D. 1857-1858. + +Livingstone at Dublin, at British Association--Letter to his wife--He +meets the chamber of commerce at Manchester--At Glasgow, receives honors +from Corporation, University, Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, United +Presbyterians, Cotton-spinners--His speeches in reply--His brother +Charles joins him--Interesting meeting and speech at Hamilton--Reception +from "Literary and Scientific Institute of Blantyre"--Sympathy with +operatives--Quick apprehension of all public questions--His social views +in advance of the age--He plans a People's Café--Visit to +Edinburgh--More honors--Letter to Mr. Maclear--Interesting visit to +Cambridge--Lectures there--Professor Sedgwick's remarks on his +visit--Livingstone's great satisfaction--Relations to London Missionary +Society--He severs his connection--Proposal of Government expedition--He +accepts consulship and command of Expedition--Kindness of Lords +Palmerston and Clarendon--The Portuguese Ambassador--Livingstone +proposes to go to Portugal--Is dissuaded--Lord Clarendon's letter to +Sekelétu--Results of Livingstone's visit to England--Farewell banquet, +February, 1858--Interview with the Queen--Veledictory letters--Professor +Sedgwick and Sir Roderick Murchison--Arrangements for Expedition--Dr., +Mrs., and Oswald Livingstone set sail from Liverpool--Letters to +children. + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE ZAMBESI, AND FIRST EXPLORATIONS OF THE SHIRÉ. + +A.D. 1858-1859. + +Dr. and Mrs. Livingstone sail in the "Pearl"--Characteristic +instructions to members of Expedition--Dr. Livingstone conscious of +difficult position--Letter to Robert--Sierra Leone--Effects of British +Squadron and of Christian Missions--Dr. and Mrs. Moffat at Cape +Town--Splendid reception there--Illness of Mrs. Livingstone--She remains +behind--The five years of the Expedition--Letter to Mr. James Young--to +Dr. Moffat--Kongone entrance to Zambesi--Collision with Naval +Officer--Disturbed state of the country--Trip to Kebrabasa Rapids--Dr. +Livingstone applies for new steamer--Willing to pay for one +himself--Exploration of the Shiré--Murchison Cataracts--Extracts from +private Journal--Discovery of Lake Shirwa--Correspondence--Letter to +Agnes Livingstone--Trip to Tette--Kroomen and two members of Expedition +dismissed--Livingstone's vindication--Discovery of Lake Nyassa--Bright +hopes for the future--Idea of a colony--Generosity of +Livingstone--Letters to Mr. Maclear, Mr. Young, and Sir Roderick +Murchison--His sympathy with the "honest poor"--He hears of the birth of +his youngest daughter. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +GOING HOME WITH THE MAKOLOLO. + +A.D. 1860. + +Down to Kongone--State of the ship--Further delay--Letter to Secretary +of Universities Mission--Letter to Mr. Braithwaite--At Tette--Miss +Whately's sugar-mill--With his brother and Kirk at Kebrabasa--Mode of +traveling--Reappearance of old friends--African warfare and its +effects--Desolation--A European colony desirable--Escape from +rhinoceros--Rumors of Moffat--The Portuguese local Governors oppose +Livingstone--He becomes unpopular with them--Letter to Mr. Young--Wants +of the country--The Makololo--Approach home--Some are disappointed--News +of the death of the London missionaries, the Helmores and others--Letter +to Dr. Moffat--The Victoria Falls re-examined--Sekelétu ill of +leprosy--Treatment and recovery--His disappointment at not seeing Mrs. +Livingstone--Efforts for the spiritual good of the Makololo--Careful +observations in Natural History--The last of the "Ma-Robert"--Cheering +prospect of the Universities Mission--Letter to Mr. Moore--to Mr. +Young--He wishes another ship--Letter to Sir Roderick Murchison on the +rumored journey of Silva Porto. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +ROVUMA AND NYASSA--UNIVERSITIES MISSION. + +A.D. 1861-1862. + +Beginning of 1861--Arrival of the "Pioneer," and of the agents of +Universities Mission--Cordial welcome--Livingstone's catholic +feelings--Ordered to explore the Rovuma--Bishop Mackenzie goes with +him--Returns to the Shiré--Turning-point of prosperity past--Difficult +navigation--The slave-sticks--Bishop settles at Magomero--Hostilities +between Manganja and Ajawa--Attack of Mission party by +Ajawa--Livingstone's advice to Bishop regardin them--Letter to his son +Robert--Livingstone, Kirk, and Charles start for Lake Nyassa--Party +robbed at north of Lake--Dismal activity of the slave-trade--Awful +mortality in the process--Livingstone's fondness for _Punch_--Letter to +Mr. Young--Joy at departure of new steamer "Lady Nyassa"--Colonization +project--Letter against it from Sir R. Murchison--Hears of Dr. Stewart +coming out from Free Church of Scotland--Visit at the ship from Bishop +Mackenzie--News of defeat of Ajawa by missionaries--Anxiety of +Livingstone--Arrangements for "Pioneer" to go to Kongone for new steamer +and friends from home, then go to Ruo to meet Bishop--"Pioneer" +detained--Dr. Livingstone's anxieties and depression at New +Year--"Pioneer" misses man-of-war "Gorgon"--At length "Gorgon" appears +with brig from England and "Lady Nyassa"--Mrs. Livingstone and other +ladies on board--Livingstone's meeting with his wife, and with Dr. +Stewart--Stewart's recollections--Difficulties of navigation--Captain +Wilson of "Gorgon" goes up river and hears of death of Bishop Mackenzie +and Mr. Burrup--Great distress--Misrepresentations about Universities +Mission--Miss Mackenzie and Mrs. Burrup taken to "Gorgon"--Dr. and Mrs. +Livingstone return to Shupanga--Illness and death of Mrs. Livingstone +there--Extracts from Livingstone's Journal, and letters to the Moffats, +Agnes, and the Murchisons. + +CHAPTER XV. + +LAST TWO YEARS OF THE EXPEDITION. + +A.D. 1862-1863. + +Livingstone again buckles on his armor--Letter to Waller--Launch of +"Lady Nyassa"--Too late for season--He explores the Rovuma--Fresh +activity of the slave-trade--Letter to Governor of Mozambique about his +discoveries--Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear--Generous offer of a party of +Scotchmen--The Expedition proceeds up Zambesi with "Lady Nyassa" in +tow--Appalling desolations of Marianno--Tidings of the Mission--Death of +Scudamore--of Dickenson--of Thorton--Illness of Livingstone--Dr. Kirk +and Charles Livingstone go home--He proceeds northward with Mr. Rae and +Mr. E. D. Young of the "Gorgon"--Attempt to carry a boat over the +rapids--Defeated--Recall of the Expedition--Livingstone's views--Letter +to Mr. James Young--to Mr. Waller--Feeling of the Portuguese +Government--Offer to the Rev. Dr. Stewart--Great discouragements--Why +did he not go home?--Proceeds to explore Nyassa--Risks and +sufferings--Occupation of his mind--Natural History--Obliged to turn +back--More desolation--Report of his murder--Kindness of +Chinsamba--Reaches the ship--Letter from Bishop Tozer, abandoning the +Mission--Distress of Livingstone--Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear--Progress +of Dr. Stewart--Livingstonia--Livingstone takes charge of the children +of the Universities Mission--Letter to his daughter--Retrospect--The +work of the Expedition--Livingstone's plans for the future. + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +QUILIMANE TO BOMBAY AND ENGLAND. + +A.D. 1864. + +Livingstone returns the "Pioneer" to the Navy, and is to sail in the +"Nyassa" to Bombay--Terrific circular storm--Imminent peril of the +"Nyassa"--He reaches Mozambique--Letter to his daughter--Proceeds to +Zanzibar--His engineer leaves him--Scanty crew of "Nyassa"--Livingstone +captain and engineer--Peril of the voyage of 2500 miles--Risk of the +monsoons--The "Nyassa" becalmed--Illness of the men--Remarks on African +travel--Flying-fish--Dolphins--Curiosities of his Journal--Idea of a +colony--Furious squall--Two sea-serpents seen--More squalls--The +"Nyassa" enters Bombay harbor--Is unnoticed--First visit from officer +with Custom-house schedules--How filled up--Attention of Sir Bartle +Frere and others--Livingstone goes with the Governor to Dapuri--His +feelings on landing in India--Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear--He visits +mission-schools, etc., at Poonah--Slaving in Persian Gulf--Returns to +Bombay--Leaves two boys with Dr. Wilson--Borrows passage-money and sails +for England--At Aden--At Alexandria--Reaches Charing +Cross--Encouragement derived from his Bombay visit--Two projects +contemplated on his way home. + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +SECOND VISIT HOME. + +A.D. 1864-1865. + +Dr. Livingstone and Sir R. Murchison--At Lady Palmerston's reception--at +other places in London--Sad news of his son Robert--His early death--Dr. +Livingstone goes to Scotland--Pays visits--Consultation with Professor +Syme as to operation--Visit to Duke Argyll--to Ulva--He meets Dr. +Duff--At launch of a Turkish frigate--At Hamilton--Goes to Bath to +British Association--Delivers an address--Dr. Colenso--At funeral of +Captain Speke--Bath speech offends the Portuguese--Charges of +Lacerda--He visits Mr. and Mrs. Webb at Newstead--Their great +hospitality--Livingstone room--He spends eight months there writing his +book--He regains elasticity and playfulness--His book--Charles +Livingstone's share--He uses his influence for Dr. Kirk--Delivers a +lecture at Mansfield--Proposal made to him by Sir R. Murchison to return +to Africa--Letter from Sir Roderick--His reply--He will not cease to be +a missionary--Letter to Mr. James Young--Overtures from Foreign +Office--Livingstone displeased--At dinner of Royal Academy--His speech +not reported--President Lincoln's assassination--Examination by +Committee of House of Commons--His opinion on the capacity of the +negro--He goes down to Scotland--_Tom Brown's School Days_--His mother +very ill--She rallies--He goes to Oxford--Hears of his mother's +death--Returns--He attends examination of Oswell's school--His +speech--Goes to London, preparing to leave--Parts from Mr. and Mrs. +Webb--Stays with Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton--Last days in England. + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +FROM ENGLAND TO BOMBAY AND ZANZIBAR. + +A.D. 1865-1866. + +Object of new journey--Double scheme--He goes to Paris with Agnes--Baron +Hausmann--Anecdote at Marseilles--He reaches Bombay--Letter to +Agnes--Reminiscences of Dr. Livingstone at Bombay by Rev. D.C. Boyd--by +Alex. Brown, Esq.--Livingstone's dress--He visits the caves of +Kenhari--Rumors of murder of Baron van der Decken--He delivers a lecture +at Bombay--Great success--He sells the "Lady Nyassa"--Letter to Mr. +James Young--Letter to Anna Mary--Hears that Dr. Kirk has got an +appointment--Sets out for Zanzibar in "Thule"--Letter to Mr. James +Young--His experience at sea--Letter to Agnes--He reaches +Zanzibar--Calls on Sultan--Presents the "Thule" to him from Bombay +Government--Monotony of Zanzibar life--Leaves in "Penguin" for the +continent. + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +FROM ZANZIBAR TO UJIJI. + +A.D. 1866-1869. + +Dr. Livingstone goes to mouth of Rovuma--His prayer--His company--His +herd of animals--Loss of his buffaloes--Good spirits when setting +put--Difficulties at Rovuma--Bad conduct of Johanna men--Dismissal of +his Sepoys--Fresh horrors of slave-trade--Uninhabited tract--He reaches +Lake Nyassa--Letter to his son Thomas--Disappointed hopes--His double +aim, to teach natives and rouse horror of slave-trade--Tenor of +religious addresses--Wikatami remains behind--Livingstone finds no +altogether satisfactory station for commerce and missions--Question of +the watershed--Was it worth the trouble?--Overruled for good to +Africa--Opinion of Sir Bartle Frere--At Marenga's--The Johanna men leave +in a body--Circulate rumor of his murder--Sir Roderick disbelieves +it--Mr. E.D. Young sent out with Search Expedition--Finds proof against +rumor--Livingstone half-starved--Loss of his goats--Review of +1866--Reflections on Divine Providence--Letter to Thomas--His dog +drowned--Loss of his medicine-chest--He feels sentence of death passed +on him--First sight of Lake Tanganyika--Detained at +Chitimba's--Discovery of Lake Moero--Occupations during detention of +1867--Great privations and difficulties--Illness--Rebellion among his +men--Discovery of Lake Bangweolo--Its oozy +banks--Detention--Sufferings--He makes for Ujiji--Very severe illness in +beginning of 1869--Reaches Ujiji--Finds his goods have been wasted and +stolen--Most bitter disappointment--His medicines, etc., at +Unyanyembe--Letter to Sultan of Zanzibar--Letters to Dr. Moffat and +his daughter. + + +CHAPTER XX. + +MANYUEMA. + +A.D. 1869-1871. + +He sets out to explore Manyuema and the river Lualaba--Loss of forty-two +letters--His feebleness through illness--He arrives at Bambarré--Becomes +acquainted with the soko or gorilla--Reaches the Luama +River--Magnificence of the country--Repulsiveness of the people--Cannot +get a canoe to explore the Lualaba--Has to return to Bambarré--Letter to +Thomas, and retrospect of his life--Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear and Mr. +Mann--Miss Tinné--He is worse in health than ever, yet resolves to add +to his programme and go round Lake Bangweolo--Letter to Agnes--Review of +the past--He sets out anew in a more northerly direction--Overpowered by +constant wet--Reaches Nyangwe, the farthest point northward in his last +Expedition--Long detention--Letter to his brother John--Sense of +difficulties and troubles--Nobility of his spirit--He sets off with only +three attendants for the Lualaba--Suspicions of the natives--Influence +of Arab traders--Frightful difficulties of the way--Lamed by +footsores--Has to return to Bambarré--Long and wearisome +detention--Occupations--Meditations and reveries--Death no +terror--Unparalleled position and trials--He reads his Bible from +beginning to end four times--Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear--To Agnes--His +delight at her sentiments about his coming home--Account of the +soko--Grief to heat of death of Lady Murchison--Wretched character of +men sent from Zanzibar--At last sets out with +Mohamad--Difficulties--Slave-trade most horrible--Cannot get canoes for +Lualaba--Long waiting--New plan--Frustrated by horrible massacre on +banks of Lualaba--Frightful scene--He must return to Ujiji--New +illness--Perils of journey to Ujiji--Life three times endangered in one +day--Reaches Ujiji--Shereef has sold off his goods--He is almost in +despair--Meets Henry M. Stanley and is relieved--His contributions to +Natural Science during last journeys--Professor Owen in the +_Quarterly Review_. + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +LIVINGSTONE AND STANLEY. + +A.D. 1871-1872. + +Mr. Gordon Bennett sends Stanley in search of Livingstone--Stanley at +Zanzibar--Starts for Ujiji--Reaches Unyanyembe--Dangerous illness--War +between Arabs and natives--Narrow escape of Stanley--Approach to +Ujiji--Meeting with Livingstone--Livingstone's story--Stanley's +news--Livingstone's goods and men at Bagamoio--Stanley's account of +Livingstone--Refutation of foolish and calumnious charges--They go to +the north of the lake--Livingstone resolves not to go home, but to get +fresh men and return to the sources--Letter to Agnes--to Sir Thomas +Maclear--The travelers go to Unyanyembe--More plundering of +stores--Stanley leaves for Zanzibar--Stanley's bitterness of heart at +parting--Livingstone's intense gratitude to Stanley--He intrusts his +Journal to him, and commissions him to send servants and stores from +Zanzibar--Stanley's journey to the coast--Finds Search Expedition at +Bagamoio--Proceeds to England--Stanley's reception--Unpleasant +feelings--Éclaircissement--England grateful to Stanley. + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +FROM UNYANYEMBE TO BANGWEOLO. + +A.D. 1872-1873. + +Livingstone's long wait at Unyanyembe--His plan of operations--His +fifty-ninth birthday--Renewal of self-dedication--Letters to Agnes--to +_New York Herald_--Hardness of the African battle--Waverings of +judgment, whether Lualaba was the Nile or the Congo--Extracts from +Journal--Gleams of humor--Natural history--His distress on hearing of +the death of Sir Roderick Murchison--Thoughts on mission-work--Arrival +of his escort--His happiness in his new men--He starts from +Unyanyembe--Illness--Great amount of rain--Near Bangweolo--Incessant +moisture--Flowers of the forest--Taking of observations regularly +prosecuted--Dreadful state of the country from rain--Hunger--Furious +attack of ants--Greatness of Livingstone's sufferings--Letters to Sir +Thomas Maclear, Mr. Young, his brother, and Agnes--His sixtieth +birthday--Great weakness in April--Sunday services and observations +continued--Increasing illness--The end approaching--Last written +words--Last day of his travels--He reaches Chitambo's village, in +Ilala--Is found on his knees dead, on morning of 1st May--Courage and +affection of his attendants--His body embalmed--Carried toward +shore--Dangers and sufferings during the march--The party meet +Lieutenant Cameron at Unyanyembe--Determine to go on--_Ruse_ at +Kasekéra--Death of Dr. Dillon--The party reach Bagamoio, and the remains +are placed on board a cruiser--The Search Expeditions from England--to +East Coast under Cameron--to West Coast under Grandy--Explanation of +Expeditions by Sir Henry Rawlinson--Livingstone's remains brought to +England--Examined by Sir W. Fergusson and others--Buried in Westminster +Abbey--Inscription on slab--Livingstone's wish for a forest grave--Lines +from _Punch_--Tributes to his memory--Sir Bartle Frere--The +_Lancet_--Lord Polwarth--Florence Nightingale. + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +POSTHUMOUS INFLUENCE. + +History of his life not completed at his death--Thrilling effect of the +tragedy of Ilala--Livingstone's influence on the slave-trade--His +letters from Manyuema--Sir Bartle Frere's mission to +Zanzibar--Successful efforts of Dr. Kirk with Sultan of Zanzibar--The +land route--The sea route--Slave-trade declared illegal--Egypt--The +Soudan--Colonel Gordon--Conventions with Turkey--King Mtesa of +Uganda--Nyassa district--Introduction of lawful commerce--Various +commercial enterprises in progress--Influence of Livingstone on +exploration--Enterprise of newspapers--Exploring undertakings of various +nations--Livingstone's personal service to science--His hard work in +science the cause of respect--His influence on missionary +enterprise--Livingstonia--Dr. Stewart--Mr. E.D. Young--Blantyre--The +Universities Mission under Bishop Steere--Its return to the mainland and +to Nyassa district--Church Missionary Society at Nyanza--London +Missionary Society at Tanganyika--French, Inland, Baptist, and American +missions--Medical missions--The Fisk Livingstone hall--Livingstone's +great legacy to Africa, a spotless Christian name and character--Honors +of the future. + + +APPENDIX. + +I. Extracts from paper on "Missionary Sacrifices". + +II. Treatment of African Fever. + +III. Letter to Dr. Tidman, as to future operations. + +IV. Lord Clarendon's Letter to Sekelétu. + +V. Public Honors awarded to Dr. Livingstone. + + + + +DAYID LIVINGSTONE. + +CHAPTER I. + +EARLY YEARS. + +A.D. 1813-1836. + +Ulva--The Livingstones--Traditions of Ulva life--The +"baughting-time"--"Kirsty's Rock"--Removal of Livingstone's grandfather +to Blantyre--Highland blood--Neil Livingstone--His marriage to Agnes +Hunter--Her grandfather and father--Monument to Neil and Agnes +Livingstone in Hamilton Cemetery--David Livingstone, born 19th March, +1813--Boyhood--At home--In school--David goes into Blantyre Mill--First +Earnings--Night-school--His habits of reading--Natural-history +expeditions--Great spiritual change in his twentieth year--Dick's +_Philosophy of a Future State_--He resolves to be a +missionary--Influence of occupation at Blantyre--Sympathy with the +people--Thomas Burk and David Hogg--Practical character of his religion. + + +The family of David Livingstone sprang, as he has himself recorded, from +the island of Ulva, on the west coast of Mull, in Argyllshire. Ulva, +"the island of wolves," is of the same group as Staffa, and, like it, +remarkable for its basaltic columns, which, according to MacCulloch, are +more deserving of admiration than those of the Giant's Causeway, and +have missed being famous only from being eclipsed by the greater glory +of Staffa. The island belonged for many generations to the Macquaires, a +name distinguished in our home annals, as well as in those of Australia. +The Celtic name of the Livingstones was M'Leay, which, according to Dr. +Livingstone's own idea, means "son of the gray-headed," but according to +another derivation, "son of the physician." It has been surmised that +the name may have been given to some son of the famous Beatoun, who held +the post of physician to the Lord of the Isles. Probably Dr. Livingstone +never heard of this derivation; if he had, he would have shown it some +favor, for he had a singularly high opinion of the physician's office. + +The Saxon name of the family was originally spelt Livingstone, but the +Doctor's father had shortened it by the omission of the final "e." David +wrote it for many years in the abbreviated form, but about 1857, at his +father's request, he restored the original spelling[1]. The significance +of the original form of the name was not without its influence on him. +He used to refer with great pleasure to a note from an old friend and +fellow-student, the late Professor George Wilson, of Edinburgh, +acknowledging a copy of his book in 1857: "Meanwhile, may your name be +propitious; in all your long and weary journeys may the _Living_ half of +your title outweigh the other; till after long and blessed labors, the +white _stone_ is given you in the happy land." + +[Footnote 1: See Journal of Geographical Society, 1857, p. clxviii.] + +Livingstone has told us most that is known of his forefathers; how his +great-grandfather fell at Culloden, fighting for the old line of kings; +how his grandfather could go back for six generations of his family +before him, giving the particulars of each; and how the only tradition +he himself felt proud of was that of the old man who had never heard of +any person in the family being guilty of dishonesty, and who charged his +children never to introduce the vice. He used also to tell his children, +when spurring them to diligence at school, that neither had he ever +heard of a Livingstone who was a donkey. He has also recorded a +tradition that the people of the island were converted from being Roman +Catholics "by the laird coming round with a man having a yellow staff, +which would seem to have attracted more attention than his teaching, +for the new religion went long afterward--perhaps it does so still--by +the name of the religion of the yellow stick." The same story is told of +perhaps a dozen other places in the Highlands; the "yellow stick" seems +to have done duty on a considerable scale. + +There were traditions of Ulva life that must have been very congenial to +the temperament of David Livingstone. In the "Statistical Account" of +the parish to which it belongs[2] we read of an old custom among the +inhabitants, to remove with their flocks in the beginning of each summer +to the upland pastures, and bivouac there till they were obliged to +descend in the month of August. The open-air life, the free intercourse +of families, the roaming frolics of the young men, the songs and +merriment of young and old, seem to have made this a singularly happy +time. The writer of the account (Mr. Clark, of Ulva) says that he had +frequently listened with delight to the tales of pastoral life led by +the people on these occasions; it was indeed a relic of Arcadia. There +were tragic traditions, too, of Ulva; notably that of Kirsty's Rock, an +awful place where the islanders are said to have administered Lynch law +to a woman who had unwittingly killed a girl she meant only to frighten, +for the alleged crime--denied by the girl--of stealing a cheese. The +poor woman was broken-hearted when she saw what she had done; but the +neighbors, filled with horror, and deaf to her remonstrances, placed her +in a sack, which they laid upon a rock covered by the sea at high water, +where the rising tide slowly terminated her existence. Livingstone +quotes Macaulay's remark on the extreme savagery of the Highlanders of +those days, like the Cape Caffres, as he says; and the tradition of +Kirsty's Rock would seem to confirm it. But the stories of the +"baughting-time" presented a fairer aspect of Ulva life, and no doubt +left happier impressions on his mind. His grandfather, as he tells us, +had an almost unlimited stock of such stories, which he was wont to +rehearse to his grandchildren and other rapt listeners. + +[Footnote 2: Kilninian and Kilmore. See _New Statistical Account of +Scotland_, Argyllshire, p. 345] + +When, for the first and last time in his life, David Livingstone visited +Ulva, in 1864, in a friend's yacht, he could hear little or nothing of +his relatives. In 1792, his grandfather, as he tells us, left it for +Blantyre, in Lanarkshire, about seven miles from Glasgow, on the banks +of the Clyde, where he found employment in a cotton factory. The dying +charge of the unnamed ancestor must have sunk into the heart of his +descendant, for, being a God-fearing man and of sterling honesty, he was +employed in the conveyance of large sums of money from Glasgow to the +works, and in his old age was pensioned off, so as to spend his +declining years in ease and comfort. There is a tradition in the family, +showing his sense of the value of education, that he was complimented by +the Blantyre school-master for never grudging the price of a school-book +for any of his children--a compliment, we fear, not often won at the +present day. The other near relations of Livingstone seem to have left +the island at the same time, and settled in Canada, Prince Edward's +Isle, and the United States. + +The influence of his Highland blood was apparent in many ways in David +Livingstone's character. It modified the democratic influences of his +earlier years, when he lived among the cotton spinners of Lanarkshire. +It enabled him to enter more readily into the relation of the African +tribes to their chiefs, which, unlike some other missionaries, he sought +to conserve, while purifying it by Christian influence. It showed itself +in the dash and daring which were so remarkbly combined in him with +Saxon forethought and perseverance. We are not sure but it gave a tinge +to his affections, intensifying his likes, and some of his dislikes too. +His attachment to Sir Roderick Murchison was quite that of a Highlander, +and hardly less so was his feeling toward the Duke of Argyll,--a man +whom he had no doubt many grounds for esteeming highly, but of whom, +after visiting him at Inveraray, he spoke with all the enthusiasm of a +Highlander for his chief. + +The Ulva emigrant had several sons, all of whom but one eventually +entered the King's service during the French war, either as soldiers or +sailors. The old man was somewhat disheartened by this circumstance, and +especially by the fate of Charles, head-clerk in the office of Mr. Henry +Monteith, in Glasgow, who was pressed on board a man-of-war, and died +soon after in the Mediterranean. Only one son remained at home, Neil, +the father of David, who eventually became a tea-dealer, and spent his +life at Blantyre and Hamilton. David Livingstone has told us that his +father was of the high type of character portrayed in the _Cottar's +Saturday Night_. There are friends still alive who remember him well, +and on whom he made a deep impression. He was a great reader from his +youth upward, especially of religious works. His reading and his +religion refined his character, and made him a most pleasant and +instructive companion. His conversational powers were remarkable, and he +could pour out in a most interesting way the stores of his reading and +observation. + +Neil Livingstone was a man of great spiritual earnestness, and his whole +life was consecrated to duty and the fear of God, In many ways he was +remarkable, being in some things before his time. In his boyhood he had +seen the evil effects of convivial habits in his immediate circle, and +in order to fortify others by his example he became a strict teetotaler, +suffering not a little ridicule and opposition from the firmness with +which he carried out his resolution. He was a Sunday-school teacher, an +ardent member of a missionary society, and a promoter of meetings for +prayer and fellowship, before such things had ceased to be regarded as +badges of fanaticism. While traveling through the neighboring parishes +in his vocation of tea-merchant, he acted also as colporteur, +distributing tracts and encouraging the reading of useful books. He took +suitable opportunities when they came to him of speaking to young men +and others on the most important of all subjects, and not without +effect. He learned Gaelic that he might be able to read the Bible to his +mother, who knew that language best. He had indeed the very soul of a +missionary. Withal he was kindly and affable, though very particular in +enforcing what he believed to be right. He was quick of temper, but of +tender heart and gentle ways; anything that had the look of sternness +was the result not of harshness but of high principle. By this means he +commanded the affection as well as the respect of his family. It was a +great blow to his distinguished son, to whom in his character and ways +he bore a great resemblance, to get news of his death, on his way home +after his great journey, dissipating the cherished pleasure of sitting +at the fireside and telling him all his adventures in Africa. + +The wife of Neil Livingstone was Agnes Hunter, a member of a family of +the same humble rank and the same estimable character as his own. Her +grandfather, Gavin Hunter, of the parish of Shotts, was a doughty +Covenanter, who might have sat for the portrait of David Deans. His son +David (after whom the traveler was named) was a man of the same type, +who got his first religious impressions in his eighteenth year, at an +open-air service conducted by one of the Secession Erskines. Snow was +falling at the time, and before the end of the sermon the people were +standing in snow up to the ankles; but David Hunter used to say he had +no feeling of cold that day. He married Janet Moffat, and lived at first +in comfortable circumstances at Airdrie, where he owned a cottage and a +croft. Mrs. Hunter died, when her daughter Agnes, afterward Mrs. Neil +Livingstone, was but fifteen. Agnes was her mother's only nurse during a +long illness, and attended so carefully to her wants that the minister +of the family laid his hand on her head, and said, "A blessing will +follow you, my lassie, for your duty to your mother." Soon after Mrs. +Hunter's death a reverse of fortune overtook her husband, who had been +too good-natured in accommodating his neighbors. He removed to Blantyre, +where he worked as a tailor. Neil Livingstone was apprenticed to him by +his father, much against his will; but it was by this means that he +became acquainted with Agnes Hunter, his future wife. David Hunter, +whose devout and intelligent character procured for him great respect, +died at Blantyre in 1834, at the age of eighty-seven. He was a great +favorite with his grandchildren, to whom he was always kind, and whom he +allowed to rummage freely among his books, of which he had a +considerable collection, chiefly theological. + +Neil Livingstone and Agnes Hunter were married in 1810, and took up +house at first in Glasgow. The furnishing of their house indicated the +frugal character and self-respect of the occupants; it included a +handsome chest of drawers, and other traditional marks of +respectability. Not liking Glasgow, they returned to Blantyre. In a +humble home there, five sons and two daughters were born. Two of the +sons died in infancy, to the great sorrow of the parents. Mrs. +Livingstone's family spoke and speak of her as a very loving mother, one +who contributed to their home a remarkable element of brightness and +serenity. Active, orderly, and of thorough cleanliness, she trained her +family in the same virtues, exemplifying their value in their own home. +She was a delicate little woman, with a wonderful flow of good spirits, +and remarkable for the beauty of her eyes, to which those of her son +David bore a strong resemblance. She was most careful of household +duties, and attentive to her children. Her love had no crust to +penetrate, but came beaming out freely like the light of the sun. Her +son loved her, and in many ways followed her. It was the genial, gentle +influences that had moved him under his mother's training that enabled +him to move the savages of Africa. + +She, too, had a great store of family traditions, and, like the mother +of Sir Walter Scott, she retained the power of telling them with the +utmost accuracy to a very old age. In one of Livingstone's private +journals, written in 1864, during his second visit home, he gives at +full length one of his mother's stories, which some future Macaulay may +find useful as an illustration of the social condition of Scotland in +the early part of the eighteenth century: + +"Mother told me stories of her youth: they seem to come back to her in +her eighty-second year very vividly. Her grandfather, Gavin Hunter, +could write, while most common people were ignorant of the art. A poor +woman got him to write a petition to the minister of Shotts parish to +augment her monthly allowance of sixpence, as she could not live on it. +He was taken to Hamilton jail for this, and having a wife and three +children at home, who without him would certainly starve, he thought of +David's feigning madness before the Philistines, and beslabbered his +beard with saliva. All who were found guilty were sent to the army in +America, or the plantations. A sergeant had compassion on him, and said, +'Tell me, gudeman, if you are really out of your mind. I'll befriend +you.' He confessed that he only feigned insanity, because he had a wife +and three bairns at home who would starve if he were sent to the army. +'Dinna say onything mair to ony body,' said the kind-hearted sergeant. +He then said to the commanding officer, 'They have given us a man clean +out of his mind: I can do nothing with the like o' him,' The officer +went to him and gave him three shillings, saying, 'Tak' that, gudeman, +and gang awa' hame to your wife and weans, 'Ay,' said mother, 'mony a +prayer went up for that sergeant, for my grandfather was an unco godly +man. He had never had so much money in his life before, for his wages +were only threepence a day." + +Mrs. Livingstone, to whom David had always been a most dutiful son, died +on the 18th June, 1865, after a lingering illness which had confined her +to bed for several years. A telegram received by him at Oxford announced +her death; that telegram had been stowed away in one of his traveling +cases, for a year after (19th June, 1866), in his _Last Journals_, he +wrote this entry: "I lighted on a telegram to-day: + + 'Your mother died at noon on the 18th June. + +This was in 1865; it affected me not a little[3]." + +[Footnote 3: _Last Journals_ vol. i. p. 55] + +The home in which David Livingstone grew up was bright and happy, and +presented a remarkable example of all the domestic virtues. It was ruled +by an industry that never lost an hour of the six days, and that +welcomed and honored the day of rest; a thrift that made the most of +everything, though it never got far beyond the bare necessaries of life; +a self-restraint that admitted no stimulant within the door, and that +faced bravely and steadily all the burdens of life; a love of books that +showed the presence of a cultivated taste, with a fear of God that +dignified the life which it moulded and controlled. To the last David +Livingstone was proud of the class from which he sprang. When the +highest in the land were showering compliments on him, he was writing to +his old friends of "my own order, the honest poor," and trying, by +schemes of colonization and otherwise, to promote their benefit. He +never had the least hankering for any title or distinction that would +have seemed to lift him out of his own class; and it was with perfect +sincerity that on the tombstone which he placed over the resting-place +of his parents in the cemetery of Hamilton, he expressed his feelings in +these words, deliberately refusing to change the "and" of the last line +into "but": + + TO SHOW THE RESTING-PLACE OF + + NEIL LIVINGSTONE, + AND AGNES HUNTER, HIS WIFE, + + AND TO EXPEESS THE THANKFULNESS TO GOD + OF THEIR CHILDREN, + + JOHN, DAVID, JANET, CHARLES, AND AGNES, + + FOR POOR AND PIOUS PARENTS. + +David Livingstone's birthday was the 19th March, 1813. Of his early +boyhood there is little to say, except that he was a favorite at home. +The children's games were merrier when he was among them, and the +fireside brighter. He contributed constantly to the happiness of the +family. Anything of interest that happened to him he was always ready to +tell them. The habit was kept up in after-years. When he went to study +in Glasgow, returning on the Saturday evenings, he would take his place +by the fireside and tell them all that had occurred during the week, +thus sharing his life with them. His sisters still remember how they +longed for these Saturday evenings. At the village school he received +his early education. He seems from his earliest childhood to have been +of a calm, self-reliant nature. It was his father's habit to lock the +door at dusk, by which time all the children were expected to be in the +house. One evening David had infringed this rule, and when he reached +the door it was barred. He made no cry nor disturbance, but having +procured a piece of bread, sat down contentedly to pass the night on the +doorstep. There, on looking out, his mother found him. It was an early +application of the rule which did him such service in later days, to +make the best of the least pleasant situations. But no one could yet +have thought how the rule was to be afterward applied. Looking back to +this period, Livingstone might have said, in the words of the old +Scotch ballad: + + "O little knew my mother, + The day she cradled me, + The lands that I should wander o'er, + The death that I should dee." + +At the age of nine he got a New Testament from his Sunday-school teacher +for repeating the 119th Psalm on two successive evenings with only five +errors, a proof that perseverance was bred in his very bone. + +His parents were poor, and at the age of ten he was put to work in the +factory as a piecer, that his earnings might aid his mother in the +struggle with the wolf which had followed the family from the island +that bore its name. After serving a number of years as a piecer, he was +promoted to be a spinner. Greatly to his mother's delight, the first +half crown he ever earned was laid by him in her lap. Livingstone has +told us that with a part of his first week's wages he purchased +Ruddiman's Rudiments of Latin, and pursued the study of that language +with unabated ardor for many years afterward at an evening class which +had been opened between the hours of eight and ten. "The dictionary part +of my labors was followed up till twelve o'clock, or later, if my mother +did not interfere by jumping up and snatching the books out of my hands. +I had to be back in the factory by six in the morning, and continue my +work, with intervals for breakfast and dinner, till eight o'clock at +night. I read in this way many of the classical authors, and knew Virgil +and Horace better at sixteen than I do now[4]." + +[Footnote 4: _Missionary Travels_, p. 8.] + +In his reading, he tells us that he devoured all the books that came +into his hands but novels, and that his plan was to place the book on a +portion of the spinning-jenny, so that he could catch sentence after +sentence as he passed at his work. The labor of attending to the wheels +was great, for the improvements in spinning machinery that have made it +self-acting had not then been introduced. The utmost interval that +Livingstone could have for reading at one time was less than a minute. + +The thirst for reading so early shown was greatly stimulated by his +father's example. Neil Livingstone, while fond of the old Scottish +theology, was deeply interested in the enterprise of the nineteenth +century, or, as he called it, "the progress of the world," and +endeavored to interest his family in it too. Any books of travel, and +especially of missionary enterprise, that he could lay his hands on, he +eagerly read. Some publications of the Tract Society, called the _Weekly +Visitor_, the _Child's Companion and Teacher's Offering,_ were taken in, +and were much enjoyed by his son David, especially the papers of "Old +Humphrey." Novels were not admitted into the house, in accordance with +the feeling prevalent in religious circles. Neil Livingstone had also a +fear of books of science, deeming them unfriendly to Christianity; his +son instinctively repudiated that feeling, though it was some time +before the works of Thomas Dick, of Broughty-Ferry, enabled him to see +clearly, what to him was of vital significance, that religion and +science were not necessarily hostile, but rather friendly to each other. + +The many-sidedness of his character showed itself early; for not content +with reading, he used to scour the country, accompanied by his brothers, +in search of botanical, geological, and zoological specimens. +Culpepper's _Herbal_ was a favorite book, and it set him to look in +every direction for as many of the plants described in it as the +countryside could supply. A story has been circulated that on these +occasions he did not always confine his researches in zoology to fossil +animals. That Livingstone was a poacher in the grosser sense of the term +seems hardly credible, though with the Radical opinions which he held at +the time it may readily be believed that he had no respect for the +sanctity of game. If a salmon came in his way while he was fishing for +trout, he made no scruple of bagging it. The bag on such occasions was +not always made for the purpose, for there is a story that once when he +had captured a fish in the "salmon pool," and was not prepared to +transport such a prize, he deposited it in the leg of his brother +Charles's trousers, creating no little sympathy for the boy as he passed +through the village with his sadly swollen leg! + +It was about his twentieth year that the great spiritual change took +place which determined the course of Livingstone's future life. But +before this time he had earnest thoughts on religion. "Great pains," he +says in his first book, "had been taken by my parents to instill the +doctrines of Christianity into my mind, and I had no difficulty in +understanding the theory of a free salvation by the atonement of our +Saviour; but it was only about this time that I began to feel the +necessity and value of a personal application of the provisions of that +atonement to my own case[5]." Some light is thrown on this brief account +in a paper submitted by him to the Directors of the London Missionary +Society in 1838, in answer to a schedule of queries sent down by them +when he offered himself as a missionary for their service. He says that +about his twelfth year he began to reflect on his state as a sinner, and +became anxious to realize the state of mind that flows from the +reception of the truth into the heart. He was deterred, however, from +embracing the free offer of mercy in the gospel, by a sense of +unworthiness to receive so great a blessing, till a supernatural change +should be effected in him by the Holy Spirit. Conceiving it to be his +duty to wait for this, he continued expecting a ground of hope within, +rejecting meanwhile the only true hope of the sinner, the finished work +of Christ, till at length his convictions were effaced, and his feelings +blunted. Still his heart was not at rest; an unappeased hunger remained, +which no other pursuit could satisfy. + +[Footnote 5: _Missionary Travels_, p.4] + +In these circumstances he fell in with Dick's _Philosophy of a Future +State_. The book corrected his error, and showed him the truth. "I saw +the duty and inestimable privilege _immediately_ to accept salvation by +Christ. Humbly believing that through sovereign mercy and grace I have +been enabled so to do, and having felt in some measure its effects on my +still depraved and deceitful heart, it is my desire to show my +attachment to the cause of Him who died for me by devoting my life to +his service." + +There can be no doubt that David Livingstone's heart was very thoroughly +penetrated by the new life that now flowed into it. He did not merely +apprehend the truth--the truth laid hold of him. The divine blessing +flowed into him as it flowed into the heart of St. Paul, St. Augustine, +and others of that type, subduing all earthly desires and wishes. What +he says in his book about the freeness of God's grace drawing forth +feelings of affectionate love to Him who bought him with his blood, and +the sense of deep obligation to Him for his mercy, that had influenced, +in some small measure, his conduct ever since, is from him most +significant. Accustomed to suppress all spiritual emotion in his public +writings, he would not have used these words if they had not been very +real. They give us the secret of his life. Acts of self-denial that are +very hard to do under the iron law of conscience, become a willing +service under the glow of divine love. It was the glow of divine love as +well as the power of conscience that moved Livingstone. Though he seldom +revealed his inner feelings, and hardly ever in the language of ecstasy, +it is plain that he was moved by a calm but mighty inward power to the +very end of his life. The love that began to stir his heart in his +father's house continued to move him all through his dreary African +journeys, and was still in full play on that lonely midnight when he +knelt at his bedside in the hut in Ilala, and his spirit returned to his +God and Saviour. + +At first he had no thought of being himself a missionary. Feeling "that +the salvation of men ought to be the chief desire and aim of every +Christian," he had made a resolution "that he would give to the cause of +missions all that he might earn beyond what was required for his +subsistence[6]." The resolution to give himself came from his reading an +Appeal by Mr. Gutzlaff to the Churches of Britain and America on behalf +of China. It was "the claims of so many millions of his +fellow-creatures, and the complaints of the scarcity, of the want of +qualified missionaries," that led him to aspire to the office. From that +time--apparently his twenty-first year--his "efforts were constantly +directed toward that object without any fluctuation." + +[Footnote 6: Statement to Directors of London Missionary Society.] + +The years of monotonous toil spent in the factory were never regretted +by Livingstone. On the contrary, he regarded his experience there as an +important part of his education, and had it been possible, he would have +liked "to begin life over again in the same lowly style, and to pass +through the same hardy training[7]." The fellow-feeling he acquired for +the children of labor was invaluable for enabling him to gain influence +with the same class, whether in Scotland or in Africa. As we have +already seen, he was essentially a man of the people. Not that he looked +unkindly on the richer classes,--he used to say in his later years, that +he liked to see people in comfort and at leisure, enjoying the good +things of life,--but he felt that the burden-bearing multitude claimed +his sympathy most. How quick the people are, whether in England or in +Africa, to find out this sympathetic spirit, and how powerful is the +hold of their hearts which those who have it gain! In poetic feeling, or +at least in the power of expressing it, as in many other things, David +Livingstone and Robert Burns were a great contrast; but in sympathy with +the people they were alike, and in both cases the people felt it. Away +and alone, in the heart of Africa, when mourning "the pride and avarice +that make man a wolf to man," Livingstone would welcome the "good time +coming," humming the words of Burns: + +[Footnote 7: _Missionary Travels_, p. 6.] + + "When man to man, the world o'er, + Shall brothers be for a' that." + +In all the toils and trials of his life, he found the good of that +early Blantyre discipline, which had forced him to bear irksome toil +with patience, until the toil ceased to be irksome, and even became +a pleasure. + +Livingstone has told us that the village of Blantyre, with its +population of two thousand souls, contained some characters of sterling +worth and ability, who exerted a most beneficial influence on the +children and youth of the place by imparting gratuitous religious +instruction. The names of two of the worthiest of these are given, +probably because they stood highest in his esteem, and he owed most to +them, Thomas Burke and David Hogg. Essentially alike, they seem to have +been outwardly very different. Thomas Burke, a somewhat wild youth, had +enlisted early in the army. His adventures and hairbreadth escapes in +the Forty-second, during the Peninsular and other wars, were marvelous, +and used to be told in after-years to crowds of wondering listeners. But +most marvelous was the change of heart that brought him back an intense +Christian evangelist, who, in season, and out of season, never ceased to +beseech the people of Blantyre to yield themselves to God. Early on +Sunday mornings he would go through the village ringing a bell to rouse +the people that they might attend an early prayer-meeting which he had +established. His temperament was far too high for most even of the +well-disposed people of Blantyre, but Neil Livingstone appreciated his +genuine worth, and so did his son. David says of him that "for about +forty years he had been incessant and never weary in good works, and +that such men were an honor to their country and their profession." Yet +it was not after the model of Thomas Burke that Livingstone's own +religious life was fashioned. It had a greater resemblance to that of +David Hogg, the other of the two Blantyre patriarchs of whom he makes +special mention, under whose instructions he had sat in the +Sunday-school, and whose spirit may be gathered from his death-bed +advice to him: "Now, lad, make religion the every-day business of your +life, and not a thing of fits and starts; for if you do, temptation and +other things will get the better of you." It would hardly be possible to +give a better account of Livingstone's religion than that he did make it +quietly, but very really, the every-day business of his life. From the +first he disliked men of much profession and little performance; the +aversion grew as he advanced in years; and by the end of his life, in +judging of men, he had come to make somewhat light both of profession +and of formal creed, retaining and cherishing more and more firmly the +one great test of the Saviour--"By their fruits ye shall know them." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +MISSIONARY PREPARATION. + +A.D. 1836--1840. + +His desire to be a missionary to China--Medical missions--He studies at +Glasgow--Classmates and teachers--He applies to London Missionary +Society--His ideas of mission work--He is accepted provisionally--He +goes to London--to Ongar--Reminiscences by Rev. Joseph Moore--by Mrs. +Gilbert--by Rev. Isaac Taylor--Nearly rejected by the Directors--Returns +to Ongar--to London--Letter to his sister--Reminiscences by Dr. Risdon +Bennett--Promise to Professor Owen--Impression of his character on his +friends and fellow-students--Rev. R. Moffat in England--Livingstone +interested--Could not be sent to China--Is appointed to +Africa--Providential links in his history--Illness--Last visits to his +home--Receives Medical diploma--Parts from his family. + + +It was the appeal of Gutzlaff for China, as we have seen, that inspired +Livingstone with the desire to be a missionary; and China was the +country to which his heart turned. The noble faith and dauntless +enterprise of Gutzlaff, pressing into China over obstacles apparently +insurmountable, aided by his medical skill and other unusual +qualifications, must have served to shape Livingstone's ideal of a +missionary, as well as to attract him to the country where Gutzlaff +labored. It was so ordered, however, that in consequence of the opium +war shutting China, as it seemed, to the English, his lot was not cast +there; but throughout his whole life he had a peculiarly lively interest +in the country that had been the object of his first love. Afterward, +when his brother Charles, then in America, wrote to him that he, too, +felt called to the missionary office, China was the sphere which David +pointed out to him, in the hope that the door which had been closed to +the one brother might be opened to the other. + +When he determined to be a missionary, the only persons to whom he +communicated his purpose were his minister and his parents, from all of +whom he received great encouragement[8]. He hoped that he would be able +to go through the necessary preparation without help from any quarter. +This was the more commendable, because in addition to the theological +qualifications of a missionary, he determined to aquire those of a +medical practitioner. The idea of medical missions was at that time +comparatively new. It had been started in connection with missions to +China, and it was in the prospect of going to that country that +Livingstone resolved to obtain a medical education. It would have been +comparatively easy for him, in a financial sense, to get the theological +training, but the medical education was a costly affair. To a man of +ordinary ideas, it would have seemed impossible to make the wages earned +during the six months of summer avail not merely for his support then, +but for winter too, and for lodgings, fees, and books besides. Scotch +students have often done wonders in this way, notably the late Dr. John +Henderson, a medical missionary to China, who actually lived on +half-a-crown a week, while attending medical classes in Edinburgh. +Livingstone followed the same self-denying course. If we had a note of +his house-keeping in his Glasgow lodging, we should wonder less at his +ability to live on the fare to which he was often reduced in Africa. +But the importance of the medical qualification had taken a firm hold of +his mind, and he persevered in spite of difficulties. Though it was +never his lot to exercise the healing art in China, his medical training +was of the highest use in Africa, and it developed wonderfully his +strong scientific turn. + +[Footnote 8: Livingstone's minister at this time was the Rev. John Moir, +of the Congregational church, Hamilton, who afterward joined the Free +Church of Scotland, and is now Presbyterian minister in Wellington, New +Zealand. Mr. Moir has furnished us with some recollections of +Livingstone, which reached us after the completion of this narrative. He +particularly notes that when Livingstone expressed his desire to be a +missionary, it was a missionary out and out, a missionary to the +heathen, not the minister of a congregation. Mr. Moir kindly lent him +some books when he went to London, all of which were conscientiously +returned before he left the country. A Greek Lexicon, with only cloth +boards when lent, was returned in substantial calf. He was ever careful, +conscientious, and honorable in all his dealings, as his father had been +before him.] + +It was in the winter of 1836-37 that he spent his first session in +Glasgow. Furnished by a friend with a list of lodgings, Livingstone and +his father set out from Blantyre one wintry day, while the snow was on +the ground, and walked to Glasgow. The lodgings were all too expensive. +All day they searched for a cheaper apartment, and at last in Rotten Row +they found a room at two shillings a week. Next evening David wrote to +his friends that he had entered in the various classes, and spent twelve +pounds in fees; that he felt very lonely after his father left, but +would put "a stout heart to a stey brae," and "either mak' a spune or +spoil a horn." At Rotten Row he found that his landlady held rather +communistic views in regard to his tea and sugar; so another search had +to be made, and this time he found a room in the High street, where he +was very comfortable, at half-a-crown a week. + +At the close of the session in April he returned to Blantyre and resumed +work at the mill. He was unable to save quite enough for his second +session, and found it necessary to borrow a little from his elder +brother[9]. The classes he attended during these two sessions were the +Greek class in Anderson's College, the theological classes of Rev. Dr. +Wardlaw, who trained students for the Independent Churches, and the +medical classes in Anderson's. In the Greek class he seems to have been +entered as a private student exciting little notice[10]. In the same +capacity he attended the lectures of Dr. Wardlaw. He had a great +admiration for that divine, and accepted generally his theological +views. But Livingstone was not much of a scientific theologian. + +[Footnote 9: The readiness of elder brothers to advance part of their +hard-won earnings, or otherwise encourage a younger brother to attend +college, is a pleasant feature of family life in the humbler classes of +Scotland. The case of James Beattie, the poet, assisted by his brother +David, and that of Sir James Simpson, who owed so much to his brother +Alexander, will be remembered in this connection.] + +[Footnote 10: A very sensational and foolish reminiscence was once +published of a raw country youth coming into the class with his clothes +stained with grease and whitened by cotton-wool. This was Livingstone. +The fact is, nothing could possibly have been more unlike him. At this +time Livingstone was not working at the mill; and, in regard to dress, +however plainly he might be clad, he was never careless, far less +offensive.] + +His chief work in Glasgow was the prosecution of medical study. Of his +teachers, two attracted him beyond the rest--the late Dr. Thomas Graham, +the very distinguished Professor of Chemistry, and Dr. Andrew Buchanan, +Professor of the Institutes of Medicine, his life-long and much-attached +friend. While attending Dr. Graham's class he was brought into frequent +contact with the assistant to the Professor, Mr. James Young. Originally +bred to a mechanical employment, this young man had attended the evening +course of Dr. Graham, and having attracted his attention, and done +various pieces of work for him, he became his assistant. The students +used to gather round him, and several met in his room, where there was a +bench, a turning-lathe, and other conveniences for mechanical work. +Livingstone took an interest in the turning-lathe, and increased his +knowledge of tools--a knowledge which proved of the highest service to +him when--as he used to say all missionaries should be ready to do--he +had to become a Jack-of-all-trades in Africa. + +Livingstone was not the only man of mark who frequented that room, and +got lessons from Mr. Young "how to use his hands." The Right Hon. Lyon +Playfair, who has had so distinguished a scientific career, was another +of its habitués. A galvanic battery constructed by two young men on a +new principle, under Mr. Young's instructions, became an object of great +attraction, and among those who came to see it and its effects were two +sons of the Professor of Mathematics in the University. Although but +boys, both were fired at this interview with enthusiasm for electric +science. Both have been for many years Professors in the University of +Glasgow. The elder, Professor James Thomson, is well known for his +useful inventions and ingenious papers on many branches of science. The +younger, Sir William Thomson, ranks over the world as prince of +electricians, and second to no living man in scientific reputation. + +Dr. Graham's assistant devoted himself to practical chemistry, and made +for himself a brilliant name by the purification of petroleum, adapting +it for use in private houses, and by the manufacture of paraffin and +paraffin-oil. Few men have made the art to which they devoted themselves +more subservient to the use of man than he whom Livingstone first knew +as Graham's assistant, and afterward used to call playfully "Sir +Paraffin." "I have been obliged to knight him," he used to say, "to +distinguish him from the other Young." The "other" Young was Mr. E. D. +Young, of the Search Expedition, and subsequently the very successful +leader of the Scotch Mission at Lake Nyassa. The assistant to Dr. Graham +still survives, and is well known as Mr. Young, of Kelly, LL.D. +and F.R.S. + +When Livingstone returned from his first journey his acquaintance with +Mr. Young was resumed, and their friendship continued through life. It +is no slight testimony from one who knew him so long and so intimately, +that, in his judgment, Livingstone was the best man he ever knew, had +more than any other man of true filial trust in God, more of the spirit +of Christ, more of integrity, purity, and simplicity of character, and +of self-denying love for his fellow-men. Livingstone named after him a +river which he supposed might be one of the sources of the Nile, and +used ever to speak with great respect of the chief achievement of Mr. +Young's life,--filling houses with a clear white light at a fraction of +the cost of the smoky article which it displaced. + +Beyond their own department, men of science are often as lax and +illogical as any; but when scientific training is duly applied, it +genders a habit of thorough accuracy, inasmuch as in scientific inquiry +the slightest deviation from truth breeds endless mischief. Other +influences had already disposed Livingstone to great exactness of +statement, but along with these his scientific training may be held to +have contributed to that dread of exaggeration and of all inaccuracy +which was so marked a feature of his character through life. + +It happened that Livingstone did not part company with Professor Graham +and Mr. Young when he left Glasgow. The same year, Dr. Graham went to +London as Professor in University College, and Livingstone, who also +went to London, had the opportunity of paying occasional visits to his +class. In this way, too, he became acquainted with the late Dr. George +Wilson, afterward Professor of Technology in the University of +Edinburgh, who was then acting as unsalaried assistant in Dr. Graham's +laboratory. Frank, genial, and chivalrous, Wilson and Livingstone had +much in common, and more in after-years, when Wilson, too, became an +earnest Christian. In the simplicity and purity of their character, and +in their devotion to science, not only for its own sake, but as a +department of the kingdom of God, they were brothers indeed. Livingstone +showed his friendship in after-years by collecting and transmitting to +Wilson whatever he could find in Africa worthy of a place in the +Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art, of which his friend was the +first Director. + +In the course of his second session in Glasgow (1837-38) Livingstone +applied to the London Missionary Society, offering his services to them +as a missionary. He had learned that that Society had for its sole +object to send the gospel to the heathen; that it accepted missionaries +from different Churches, and that it did not set up any particular form +of Church, but left it to the converts to choose the form they +considered most in accordance with the Word of God. This agreed with +Livingstone's own notion of what a Missionary Society should do. He had +already connected himself with the Independent communion, but this +preference for it was founded chiefly on his greater regard for the +_personnel_ of the body, and for the spirit in which it was +administered, as compared with the Presbyterian Churches of Scotland. He +had very strong views of the spirituality of the Church of Christ, and +the need of a profound spiritual change as the only true basis of +Christian life and character. He thought that the Presbyterian Churches +were too lax in their communion, and particularly the Established +Church. He was at this time a decided Voluntary, chiefly on the ground +maintained by such men as Vinet, that the connection of Church and State +was hurtful to the spirituality of the Church; and he had a particular +abhorrence of what he called "geographical Christianity,"--which gave +every man within a certain area a right to the sacraments. We shall see +that in his later years Dr. Livingstone saw reason to modify some of +these opinions; surveying the Evangelical Churches from the heart of +Africa, he came to think that, established or non-established, they did +not differ so very much from each other, and that there was much good +and considerable evil in them all. + +In his application to the London Missionary Society, Livingstone stated +his ideas of missionary work in comprehensive terms: "The missionary's +object is to endeavor by every means in his power to make known the +gospel by preaching, exhortation, conversation, instruction of the +young; improving, so far as in his power, the temporal condition of +those among whom he labors, by introducing the arts and sciences of +civilization, and doing everything to commend Christianity to their +hearts and consciences. He will be exposed to great trials of his faith +and patience from the indifference, distrust, and even direct opposition +and scorn of those for whose good he is laboring; he may be tempted to +despondency from the little apparent fruit of his exertions, and exposed +to all the contaminating influence of heathenism." He was not about to +undertake this work without counting the cost. "The hardships and +dangers of missionary life, so far as I have had the means of +ascertaining their nature and extent, have been the subject of serious +reflection, and in dependence on the promised assistance of the Holy +Spirit, I have no hesitation in saying that I would willingly submit to +them, considering my constitution capable of enduring any ordinary share +of hardship or fatigue." On one point he was able to give the Directors +very explicit information: he was not married, nor under any engagement +of marriage, nor had he ever made proposals of marriage, nor indeed been +in love! He would prefer to go out unmarried, that he might, like the +great apostle, be without family cares, and give himself entirely to +the work. + +His application to the London Missionary Society was provisionally +accepted, and in September, 1838, he was summoned to London to meet the +Directors. A young Englishman came to London on the same errand at the +same time, and a friendship naturally arose between the two. +Livingstone's young friend was the Rev. Joseph Moore, afterwards +missionary at Tahiti; now of Congleton, in Cheshire. Nine years later, +Livingstone, writing to Mr. Moore from Africa, said: "Of all those I +have met since we parted, I have seen no one I can compare to you for +sincere, hearty friendship." Livingstone's family used to speak of them +as Jonathan and David. Mr. Moore has kindly furnished us with his +recollections of Livingstone at this time:-- + +"I met with Livingstone first in September, 1838, at 57 Aldersgate +street, London. On the same day we had received a letter from the +Secretary informing us severally that our applications had been +received, and that we must appear in London to be examined by the +Mission Board there. On the same day, he from Scotland, and I from the +south of England, arrived in town. On that night we simply accosted each +other, as those who meet at a lodging house might do. After breakfast on +the following day we fell into conversation, and finding that the same +object had brought us to the metropolis, and that the same trial awaited +us, naturally enough we were drawn to each other. Every day, as we had +not been in town before, we visited places of renown in the great city, +and had many a chat about our prospects. + +"On Sunday, in the morning, we heard Dr. Leifchild, who was then in his +prime, and in the evening Mr. Sherman, who preached with all his +accustomed persuasiveness and mellifluousness. In the afternoon we +worshiped at St. Paul's, and heard Prebendary Dale. + +"On Monday we passed our first examination. On Tuesday we went to +Westminster Abbey. Who that had seen those two young men passing from +monument to monument could have divined that one of them would one day +be buried with a nation's--rather with the civilized world's--lament, in +that sacred shrine? The wildest fancy could not have pictured that such +an honor awaited David Livingstone. I grew daily more attached to him. +If I were asked why, I should be rather at a loss to reply. There was +truly an indescribable charm about him, which, with all his rather +ungainly ways, and by no means winning face, attracted almost every one, +and which helped him so much in his after-wanderings in Africa. + +"He won those who came near him by a kind of spell. There happened to be +in the boarding-house at that time a young M.D., a saddler from Hants, +and a bookseller from Scotland. To this hour they all speak of him in +rapturous terms. + +"After passing two examinations, we were both so far accepted by the +Society that we were sent to the Rev. Richard Cecil, who resided at +Chipping Ongar, in Essex. Most missionary students were sent to him for +three months' probation, and if a favorable opinion was sent to the +Board of Directors, they went to one of the Independent colleges. The +students did not for the most part live with Mr. Cecil, but took +lodgings in the town, and went to his house for meals and instruction in +classics and theology. Livingstone and I lodged together. We read Latin +and Greek, and began Hebrew together. Every day we took walks, and +visited all the spots of interest in the neighborhood, among them the +country churchyard which was the burial-place of John Locke. In a place +so quiet, and a life so ordinary as that of a student, there did not +occur many events worthy of recital. I will, however, mention one or +two things, because they give an insight--a kind of prophetic +glance--into Livingstone's after-career. + +"One foggy November morning, at three o'clock, he set out from Ongar to +walk to London to see a relative of his father's[11]. It was about +twenty-seven miles to the house he sought. After spending a few hours +with his relation, he set out to return on foot to Ongar. Just out of +London, near Edmonton, a lady had been thrown out of a gig. She lay +stunned on the road. Livingston immediately went to her, helped to carry +her into a house close by, and having examined her and found no bones +broken, and recommending a doctor to be called, he resumed his weary +tramp. Weary and footsore, when he reached Stanford Rivers he missed his +way, and finding after some time that he was wrong, he felt so dead-beat +that he was inclined to lie down and sleep; but finding a directing-post +he climbed it, and by the light of the stars deciphered enough to know +his whereabouts. About twelve that Saturday night he reached Ongar, +white as a sheet, and so tired he could hardly utter a word. I gave him +a basin of bread and milk, and I am not exaggerating when I say I put +him to bed. He fell at once asleep, and did not awake till noonday had +passed on Sunday. + +[Footnote 11: We learn from the family that the precise object of the +visit was to transact some business for his eldest brother, who had +begun to deal in lace. In the darkness of the morning Livingstone fell +into a ditch, smearing his clothes, and not improving his appearance for +smart business purposes. The day was spent in going about in London from +shop to shop, greatly increasing Livingstone's fatigue.] + +"Total abstinence at that time began to be spoken of, and Livingstone +and I, and a Mr. Taylor, who went to India, took a pledge together to +abstain[12]. Of that trio, two, I am sorry to say _(heu me miserum!),_ +enfeebled health, after many years, compelled to take a little wine for +our stomachs' sake. Livingstone was one of the two. + +[Footnote 12: Livingstone had always practiced total abstinence, +according to the invariable custom of his father's house. The third of +the trio was the Rev. Joseph V.S. Taylor, now of the Irish Presbyterian +Mission, Gujerat, Bombay.] + +"One part of our duties was to prepare sermons, which were submitted to +Mr. Cecil, and, when corrected, were committed to memory, and then +repeated to our village congregations. Livingstone prepared one, and one +Sunday the minister of Stamford Rivers; where the celebrated Isaac +Taylor resided, having fallen sick after the morning service, +Livingstone was sent for to preach in the evening. He took his text, +read it out very deliberately, and then--then--his sermon had fled! +Midnight darkness came upon him, and he abruptly said: 'Friends, I have +forgotten all I had to say,' and hurrying out of the pulpit, he left +the chapel. + +"He never became a preacher" [we shall see that this does not apply to +his preaching in the Sichuana language], "and in the first letter I +received from him from Elizabeth Town, in Africa, he says: 'I am a very +poor preacher, having a bad delivery, and some of them said if they knew +I was to preach again they would not enter the chapel. Whether this was +all on account of my manner I don't know; but the truth which I uttered +seemed to plague very much the person who supplies the missionaries with +wagons and oxen. (They were bad ones.) My subject was the necessity of +adopting the benevolent spirit of the Son of God, and abandoning the +selfishness of the world.' Each student at Ongar had also to conduct +family worship in rotation. I was much impressed by the fact that +Livingstone never prayed without the petition that we might imitate +Christ in all his imitable perfections[13]." + +[Footnote 13: In connection with this prayer, it is interesting to note +the impression made by Livingstone nearly twenty years afterward on one +who saw him but twice--once at a public breakfast in Edinburgh, and +again at the British Association in Dublin in 1857. We refer to Mrs. +Sime, sister of Livingstone's early friend, Professor George Wilson, of +Edinburgh. Mrs. Sime writes; "I never knew any one who gave me more the +idea of power over other men, such power as our Saviour showed while on +earth, the power of love and purity combined."] + +In the Autobiography of Mrs. Gilbert, an eminent member of the family of +the Taylors of Ongar, there occur some reminiscenses of Livingstone, +corresponding to those here given by Mr. Moore[14]. + +[Footnote 14: Page 886, third edition.] + +The Rev. Isaac Taylor, LL.D., now rector of Settringham, York, son of +the celebrated author of _The Natural History of Enthusiasm_, and +himself author of _Words and Places, Etruscan Researches_, etc., has +kindly furnished us with the following recollection: "I well remember as +a boy taking country rambles with Livingstone when he was studying at +Ongar. Mr. Cecil had several missionary students, but Livingstone was +the only one whose personality made any impression on my boyish +imagination. I might sum up my impression of him in two +words--simplicity and resolution. Now, after nearly forty years, I +remember his step, the characteristic forward tread, firm, simple, +resolute, neither fast nor slow, no hurry and no dawdle, but which +evidently meant--getting there[15]." + +[Footnote 15: On one occasion, in conversation with his former pastor, +the Rev. John Moir, Livingstone spoke of Mr. Isaac Taylor, who had shown +him much kindness, and often invited him to dine in his house. He said +that though Mr. Taylor was connected with the Independents, he was +attached to the principles of the Church of England. Mr. Taylor used to +lay very great stress on acquaintance with the writings of the Fathers +as necessary for meeting the claims of the Tractarians, and did not +think that that study was sufficiently encouraged by the Nonconformists. +Any one who has been in Mr. Taylor's study at Stanford Rivers, and who +remembers the top-heavy row of patristic folios that crowned his +collection of books, and the glance of pride he cast on them as he asked +his visitor whether many men in his Church were well read in the +Fathers, will be at no loss to verify this reminiscence. Certainly +Livingstone had no such qualification, and undoubtedly he never +missed it.] + +We resume Mr. Moore's reminiscences: + +"When three months had elapsed, Mr. Cecil sent in his report to the +Board. Judging from Livingstone's hesitating manner in conducting family +worship, and while praying on the week-days in the chapel, and also from +his failure so complete in preaching, an unfavorable report was given +in.... Happily, when it was read, and a decision was about to be given +against him, some one pleaded hard that his probation should be +extended, and so he had several months' additional trial granted. I +sailed in the same boat, and was also sent back to Ongar as a naughty +boy.... At last we had so improved that both were fully accepted. +Livingstone went to London to pursue his medical studies, and I went to +Cheshunt College, A day or two after reaching college, I sent to +Livingstone, asking him to purchase a second-hand carpet for my room. He +was quite scandalized at such an exhibition of effeminacy, and +positively refused to gratify my wish.... In the spring of 1840 I met +Livingstone at London in Exeter Hall, when Prince Albert delivered his +maiden speech in England. I remember how nearly he was brought to +silence when the speech, which he had lodged on the brim of his hat, +fell into it, as deafening cheers made it vibrate. A day or two after, +we heard Binney deliver his masterly missionary sermon, 'Christ seeing +of the travail of his soul and being satisfied.'" + +The meeting at Exeter Hall was held to inaugurate the Niger Expedition. +It was on this occasion that Samuel Wilberforce became known as a great +platform orator[16]. It must have been pleasant to Livingstone in +after-years to recall the circumstance when he became a friend and +correspondent of the Bishop of Oxford. + +[Footnote 16: _Life of Bishop Wilberforce_, vol. i, p. 160.] + +Notwithstanding the dear postage of the time, Livingstone wrote +regularly to his friends, but few of his letters have survived. One of +the few, dated 5th May, 1839, is addressed to his sister, and in it he +says that there had been some intention of sending him abroad at once, +but that he was very desirous of getting more education. The letter +contains very little news, but is full of the most devout aspirations +for himself and exhortations to his sister. Alluding to the remark of a +friend that they should seek to be "uncommon Christians, that is, +eminently holy and devoted servants of the Most High," he urges: + + "Let us seek--and with the conviction that we cannot do + without it--that all selfishness be extirpated, pride + banished, unbelief driven from the mind, every idol + dethroned, and everything hostile to holiness and opposed to + the divine will crucified; that 'holiness to the Lord' may be + engraven on the heart, and evermore characterize our whole + conduct. This is what we ought to strive after; this is the + way to be happy; this is what our Saviour loves--entire + surrender of the heart. May He enable us by his Spirit to + persevere till we attain it! All comes from Him, the + disposition to ask as well as the blessing itself. + + "I hope you improve the talents committed to you whenever + there is an opportunity. You have a class with whom you have + some influence. It requires prudence in the way of managing + it; seek wisdom from above to direct you; _persevere_--don't + be content with once or twice recommending the Saviour to + them--again and again, in as kind a manner as possible, + familiarly, individually, and privately, exhibit to them the + fountain of happiness and joy, never forgetting to implore + divine energy to accompany your endeavors, and you need not + fear that your labor will be unfruitful. If you have the + willing mind, that is accepted; nothing is accepted if that + be wanting. God desires that. He can do all the rest. After + all, He is the sole agent, for the 'willing mind' comes alone + from Him. This is comforting, for when we think of the + feebleness and littleness of all we do, we might despair of + having our services accepted, were we not assured that it is + not these God looks to, except in so far as they are + indications of the state of the heart." + +Dr. Livingstone's sisters have a distinct recollection that the field to +which the Directors intended to send him was the West Indies, and that +he remonstrated on the ground that he had spent two years in medical +study, but in the West Indies, where there were regular practitioners, +his medical knowledge would be of little or no avail. He pleaded with +the Directors, therefore, that he might be allowed to complete his +medical studies, and it was then that Africa was provisionally fixed on +as his destination. It appears, however, that he had not quite abandoned +the thought of China. Mr. Moir, his former pastor, writes that being in +London in May, 1839, he called at the Mission House to make inquiries +about him. He asked whether the Directors did not intend to send him to +the East Indies, where the field was so large and the demand so urgent, +but he was told that though they esteemed him highly, they did not think +that his gifts fitted him for India, and that Africa would be a more +suitable field. + +On returning to London, Livingstone devoted himself with special ardor +to medical and scientific study. The church with which he was connected +was that of the late Rev. Dr. Bennett, in Falcon Square. This led to his +becoming intimate with Dr. Bennett's son, now the well-known J. Risdon +Bennett, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S., and President of the Royal College of +Physicians, London. The friendship continued during the whole of Dr. +Livingstone's life. From some recollections with which Dr. Bennett has +kindly furnished us we take the following: + + "My acquaintance with David Livingstone was through the + London Missionary Society, when, having offered himself to + that Society, he came to London to carry on those medical and + other studies which he had commenced in Glasgow. From the + first, I became deeply interested in his character, and ever + after maintained a close friendship with him. I entertained + toward him a sincere affection, and had the highest + admiration of his endowments, both of mind and heart, and of + his pure and noble devotion of all his powers to the highest + purposes of life. One could not fail to be impressed with his + simple, loving, Christian spirit, and the combined modest, + unassuming, and self-reliant character of the man. + + "He placed himself under my guidance in reference to his + medical studies, and I was struck with the amount of + knowledge that he had already acquired of those subjects + which constitute the foundation of medical science. He had, + however, little or no acquaintance with the practical + departments of medicine, and had had no opportunities of + studying the nature and aspects of disease. Of these + deficiencies he was quite aware, and felt the importance of + acquiring as much practical knowledge as possible during his + stay in London. I was at that time physician to the + Aldersgate Street Dispensary, and was lecturing at the + Charing Cross Hospital on the practice of medicine, and thus + was able to obtain for him free admission to hospital + practice as well as attendance on my lectures and my practice + at the dispensary. I think that I also obtained for him + admission to the opthalmic hospital in Moorfields. With these + sources of information open to him, he obtained a + considerable acquaintance with the more ordinary forms of + disease, both surgical and medical, and an amount of + scientific and practical knowledge that could not fail to be + of the greatest advantage to him in the distant regions to + which he was going, away from all the resources of + civilization. His letters to me, and indeed all the records + of his eventful life, demonstrate how great to him was the + value of the medical knowledge with which he entered on + missionary life. There is abundant evidence that on various + occasions his own life was preserved through his courageous + and sagacious application of his scientific knowledge to his + own needs; and the benefits which he conferred on the natives + to whose welfare he devoted himself, and the wonderful + influence which he exercised over them, were in no small + degree due to the humane and skilled assistance which he was + able to render as a healer of bodily disease. The account + which he gave me of his perilous encounter with the lion, and + the means he adopted for the repair of the serious injuries + which he received, excited the astonishment and admiration of + all the medical friends to whom I related it, as evincing an + amount of courage, sagacity, skill, and endurance that have + scarcely been surpassed in the annals of heroism." + +Another distinguished man of science with whom Livingstone became +acquainted in London, and on whom he made an impression similar to that +made on Dr. Bennett, was Professor Owen. Part of the little time at his +disposal was devoted to studying the series of comparative anatomy in +the Hunterian Museum, under Professor Owen's charge. Mr. Owen was +interested to find that the Lanarkshire student was born in the same +neighborhood as Hunter[17], but still more interested in the youth +himself and his great love of natural history. On taking leave, +Livingstone promised to bear his instructor in mind if any curiosity +fell in his way. Years passed, and as no communication reached him, Mr. +Owen was disposed to class the promise with too many others made in the +like circumstances. But on his first return to this country Livingstone +presented himself, bearing the tusk of an elephant with a spiral curve. +He had found it in the heart of Africa, and it was not easy of +transport. "You may recall," said Professor Owen, at the Farewell +Festival in 1858, "the difficulties of the progress of the weary sick +traveler on the bullock's back. Every pound weight was of moment; but +Livingstone said, 'Owen shall have this tusk,' and he placed it in my +hands in London." Professor Owen recorded this as a proof of +Livingstone's inflexible adherence to his word. With equal justice we +may quote it as a proof of his undying gratitude to any one that had +shown him kindness. + +[Footnote 17: Not in the same _parish_, as stated afterward by Professor +Owen. Hunter was born in East Kilbride, and Livingstone in Blantyre. The +error is repeated in notices of Livingstone in some other quarters.] + +On all his fellow-students and acquaintances the simplicity, frankness, +and kindliness of Livingstone's character made a deep impression. Mr. +J.S. Cook, now of London, who spent three months with him at Ongar, +writes: "He was so kind and gentle in word and deed to all about him +that all loved him. He had always words of sympathy at command, and was +ready to perform acts of sympathy for those who were suffering." The +Rev. G.D. Watt, a brother Scotchman, who went as a missionary to India, +has a vivid remembrance of Livingstone's mode of discussion; he showed +great simplicity of view, along with a certain roughness or bluntness of +manner; great kindliness, and yet great persistence in holding to his +own ideas. But none of his friends seem to have had any foresight of +the eminence he was destined to attain. The Directors of the Society +did not even rank him among their ablest men. It is interesting to +contrast the opinion entertained of him then with that expressed by Sir +Bartle Frere, after much personal intercourse, many years afterward. "Of +his intellectual force and energy," wrote Sir Bartle, "he has given such +proof as few men could afford. Any five years of his life might in any +other occupation have established a character and raised for him a +fortune such as none but the most energetic of our race can +realize[18]." + +[Footnote 18: _Good Words_, 1874, p. 285.] + +But his early friends were not so much at fault. Livingstone was +somewhat slow of maturing. If we may say so, his intellect hung fire up +to this very time, and it was only during his last year in England that +he came to his intellectual manhood, and showed his real power. His very +handwriting shows the change; from being cramped and feeble it suddenly +becomes clear, firm, and upright, very neat, but quite the hand of a +vigorous, independent man. + +Livingstone's prospects of getting to China had been damaged by the +Opium War; while it continued, no new appointments could be made, even +had the Directors wished to send him there. It was in these +circumstances that he came into contact with his countryman, Mr. (now +Dr.) Moffat, who was then in England, creating much interest in his +South African mission. The idea of his going to Africa became a settled +thing, and was soon carried into effect. + + "I had occasion" (Dr. Moffat has informed us) "to call for + some one at Mrs. Sewell's, a boarding-house for young + missionaries in Aldersgate street, where Livingstone lived. I + observed soon that this young man was interested in my story, + that he would sometimes come quietly and ask me a question or + two, and that he was always desirous to know where I was to + speak in public, and attended on these occasions. By and by + he asked me whether I thought he would do for Africa. I said + I believed he would, if he would not go to an old station, + but would advance to unoccupied ground, specifying the vast + plain to the north, where I had sometimes seen, in the + morning sun, the smoke of a thousand villages, where no + missionary had ever been. At last Livingstone said: 'What is + the use of my waiting for the end of this abominable opium + war? I will go at once to Africa.' The Directors concurred, + and Africa became his sphere." + +It is no wonder that all his life Livingstone had a very strong faith in +Providence, for at every turn of his career up to this point, some +unlooked-for circumstance had come in to give a new direction to his +history. First, his reading Dick's _Philosophy of a Future State_, which +led him to Christ, but did not lead him away from science; then his +falling in with Gutzlaff's _Appeal_, which induced him to become a +medical missionary; the Opium War, which closed China against him; the +friendly word of the Director who procured for him another trial; Mr. +Moffat's visit, which deepened his interest in Africa; and finally, the +issue of a dangerous illness that attacked him in London--all indicated +the unseen hand that was preparing him for his great work. + +The meeting of Livingstone with Moffat is far too important an event to +be passed over without remark. Both directly and indirectly Mr. Moffat's +influence on his young brother, afterward to become his son-in-law, was +remarkable. In after-life they had a thorough appreciation of each +other. No family on the face of the globe could have been so helpful to +Livingstone in connection with the great work to which he gave himself. +If the old Roman fashion of surnames still prevailed, there is no +household of which all the members would have been better entitled to +put AFRICANUS after their name. The interests of the great continent +were dear to them all. In 1872, when one of the Search Expeditions for +Livingstone was fitted out, a grandson of Dr. Moffat, another Robert +Moffat, was among those who set out in the hope of relieving him; cut +off at the very beginning, in the flower of his youth, he left his bones +to moulder in African soil. + +The illness to which we have alluded was an attack of congestion of the +liver, with an affection of the lungs. It seemed likely to prove fatal, +and the only chance of recovery appeared to be a visit to his home, and +return to his native air. In accompanying him to the steamer, Mr. Moore +found him so weak that he could scarcely walk on board. He parted from +him in tears, fearing that he had but a few days to live. But the voyage +and the visit had a wonderful effect, and very soon Livingstone was in +his usual health. The parting with his father and mother, as they +afterward told Mr. Moore, was very affecting. It happened, however, that +they met once more. It was felt that the possession of a medical diploma +would be of service, and Livingstone returned to Scotland in November, +1840, and passed at Glasgow as Licentiate of the Faculty of Physicians +and Surgeons. It was on this occasion he found it so inconvenient to +have opinions of his own and the knack of sticking to them. It seemed as +if he was going to be rejected for obstinately maintaining his views in +regard to the stethoscope; but he pulled through. A single night was all +that he could spend with his family, and they had so much to speak of +that David proposed they should sit up all night. This, however, his +mother would not hear of. "I remember my father and him," writes his +sister, "talking over the prospects of Christian missions. They agreed +that the time would come when rich men and great men would think it an +honor to support whole stations of missionaries, instead of spending +their money on hounds and horses. On the morning of 17th November we got +up at five o'clock. My mother made coffee. David read the 121st and +135th Psalms, and prayed. My father and he walked to Glasgow to catch +the Liverpool steamer." On the Broomielaw, father and son looked for the +last time on earth on each other's faces. The old man walked back slowly +to Blantyre, with a lonely heart no doubt, yet praising God. David's +face was now set in earnest toward the Dark Continent. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +FIRST TWO YEARS IN AFRICA. + +A.D. 1841-1843. + +His ordination--Voyage out--At Rio de Janeiro--At the Cape--He proceeds +to Kuruman--Letters--Journey of 700 miles to Bechuana country--Selection +of site for new station--Second excursion to Bechuana country--Letter to +his sister--Influence with chiefs--Bubi--Construction of a +water-dam--Sekomi--Woman seized by a lion--The Bakaa--Sebehwe--Letter to +Dr. Risdon Bennett--Detention at Kuruman--He visits Sebehwe's +village--Bakhatlas--Sechéle, chief of Bakwains--Livingstone translates +hymns--Travels 400 miles on oxback--Returns to Kuruman--Is authorized to +form new station--Receives contributions for native missionary--Letters +to Directors on their Mission policy--He goes to new +station--Fellow-travelers--Purchase of site--Letter to Dr. +Bennett--Desiccation of South Africa--Death of a servant, Sehamy--Letter +to his parents. + + +On the 20th November, 1840, Livingstone was ordained a missionary in +Albion Street Chapel, along with the Rev. William Ross, the service +being conducted by the Rev. J.J. Freeman and the Rev. R. Cecil. On the +8th of December he embarked on board the ship "George," under Captain +Donaldson, and proceeded to the Cape, and thence to Algoa Bay. On the +way the ship had to put in at Rio de Janeiro, and he had a glance at +Brazil, with which he was greatly charmed. It was the only glimpse he +ever got of any part of the great continent of America. Writing to the +Rev. G.D. Watt, with whom he had become intimate in London, and who was +preparing to go as a missionary to India, he says: + + "It is certainly the finest place I ever saw; everything + delighted me except man.... We lived in the home of an + American Episcopal Methodist minister--the only Protestant + missionary in Brazil.... Tracts and Bibles are circulated, + and some effects might be expected, were a most injurious + influence not exerted by European visitors. These alike + disgrace themselves and the religion they profess by + drunkenness. All other vices are common in Rio. When will the + rays of Divine light dispel the darkness in this beautiful + empire? The climate is delightful. I wonder if disabled + Indian missionaries could not make themselves useful there." + +During the voyage his chief friend was the captain of the ship. "He was +very obliging to me," says Livingstone, "and gave me all the information +respecting the use of the quadrant in his power, frequently sitting up +till twelve o'clock at night for the purpose of taking lunar +observations with me." Thus another qualification was acquired for his +very peculiar life-work. Sundays were not times of refreshing, at least +not beyond his closet. "The captain rigged out the church on Sundays, +and we had service; but I being a poor preacher, and the chaplain +addressing them all as Christians already, no moral influence was +exerted, and even had there been on Sabbath, it would have been +neutralized by the week-day conduct. In fact, no good was done." Neither +at Rio, nor on board ship, nor anywhere, could good be done without the +element of personal character. This was Livingstone's strong conviction +to the end of his life. + +In his first letter to the Directors of the London Missionary Society he +tells them that he had spent most of his time at sea in the study of +theology, and that he was deeply grieved to say that he knew of no +spiritual good having been done in the case of any one on board the +ship. His characteristic honesty thus showed itself in his very +first dispatch. + +Arriving at the Cape, where the ship was detained a month, he spent some +time with Dr. Philip, then acting as agent for the Society, with +informal powers as superintendent. Dr. Philip was desirous of returning +home for a time, and very anxious to find some one to take his place as +minister of the congregation of Cape Town, in his absence. This office +was offered to Livingstone, who rejected it with no little +emphasis--not for a moment would he think of it, nor would he preach the +gospel within any other man's line. He had not been long at the Cape +when he found to his surprise and sorrow that the missionaries were not +all at one, either as to the general policy of the mission, or in the +matter of social intercourse and confidence. The shock was a severe one; +it was not lessened by what he came to know of the spirit and life of a +few--happily only a few--of his brethren afterward; and undoubtedly it +had an influence on his future life. It showed him that there were +missionaries whose profession was not supported by a life of consistent +well-doing, although it did not shake his confidence in the character +and the work of missionaries on the whole. He saw that in the mission +there was what might be called a colonial side and a native side; some +sympathizing with the colonists and some with the natives. He had no +difficulty in making up his mind between them; he drew instinctively to +the party that were for protecting the natives against the unrighteous +encroachments of the settlers. + +On leaving the ship at Algoa Bay, he proceeded by land to Kuruman or +Lattakoo, in the Bechuana country, the most northerly station of the +Society in South Africa, and the usual residence of Mr. Moffat, who was +still absent in England. In this his first African journey the germ of +the future traveler was apparent. "Crossing the Orange River," he says, +"I got my vehicle aground, and my oxen got out of order, some with their +heads where their tails should be, and others with their heads twisted +round in the yoke so far that they appeared bent on committing suicide, +or overturning the wagon.... I like travelling very much indeed. There +is so much freedom connected with our African manners. We pitch our +tent, make our fire, etc., wherever we choose, walk, ride, or shoot at +abundance of all sorts of game as our inclination leads us; but there +is a great drawback: we can't study or read when we please. I feel this +very much. I have made but very little progress in the language (can +speak a little Dutch), but I long for the time when I shall give my +undivided attention to it, and then be furnished with the means of +making known the truth of the gospel." While at the Cape, Livingstone +had heard something of a fresh-water lake ('Ngami) which all the +missionaries were eager to see. If only they would give him a month or +two to learn the colloquial language, he said they might spare +themselves the pains of being "the first in at the death." It is +interesting to remark further that, in this first journey, science had +begun to receive its share of attention. He is already bent on making a +collection for the use of Professor Owen[19], and is enthusiastic in +describing some agatized trees and other curiosities which he met with. + +[Footnote 19: This collection never reached its destination.] + +Writing to his parents from Port Elizabeth, 19th May, 1841, he gives his +first impressions of Africa. He had been at a station called Hankey: + + "The scenery was very fine. The white sand in some places + near the beach drifted up in large wreaths exactly like snow. + One might imagine himself in Scotland were there not a hot + sun overhead. The woods present an aspect of strangeness, for + everywhere the eye meets the foreign-looking tree from which + the bitter aloes is extracted, popping up its head among the + mimosa bushes and stunted acacias. Beautiful humming-birds + fly about in great numbers, sucking the nectar from the + flowers, which are in great abundance and very beautiful. I + was much pleased with my visit to Hankey.... The state of the + people presents so many features of interest, that one may + talk about it and convey some idea of what the Gospel has + done. The full extent of the benefit received can, however, + be understood only by those who witness it in contrast with + other places that have not been so highly favored. My + expectations have been far exceeded. Everything I witnessed + surpassed my hopes, and if this one station is a fair sample + of the whole, the statements of the missionaries with regard + to their success are far within the mark. The Hottentots of + Hankey appear to be in a state similar to that of our + forefathers in the days immediately preceding the times of + the Covenanters. They have a prayer-meeting every morning at + four o'clock, _and well attended_. They began it during a + visitation of measles among them, and liked it so much that + they still continue." + +He goes on to say that as the natives had no clocks or watches, mistakes +sometimes occurred about ringing the bell for this meeting, and +sometimes the people found themselves assembled at twelve or one o'clock +instead of four. The welcome to the missionaries (their own missionary +was returning from the Cape with Livingstone) was wonderful. Muskets +were fired at their approach, then big guns; and then men, women, and +children rushed at the top of their speed to shake hands and welcome +them. The missionary had lost a little boy, and out of respect each of +the people had something black on his head. Both public worship and +family worship were very interesting, the singing of hymns being very +beautiful. The bearing of these Christianized Hottentots was in complete +contrast to that of a Dutch family whom he visited as a medical man one +Sunday. There was no Sunday; the man's wife and daughters were dancing +before the house, while a black played the fiddle. + +His instructions from the Directors were to go to Kuruman, remain there +till Mr. Moffat should return from England, and turn his attention to +the formation of a new station farther north, awaiting more specific +instructions, He arrived at Kuruman on the 31st July, 1841, but no +instructions had come from the Directors; his sphere of work was quite +undetermined, and he began to entertain the idea of going to Abyssinia. +There could be no doubt that a Christian missionary was needed there, +for the country had none; but if he should go, he felt that probably he +would never return. In writing of this to his friend Watt, he used words +almost prophetic: "Whatever way my life may be spent so as but to +promote the glory of our gracious God, I feel anxious to do it.... _My +life, may be spent as profitably as a pioneer as in any other way_." + +In his next letter to the London Missionary Society, dated Kuruman, 23d +September, 1841, he gives his impressions of the field, and unfolds an +idea which took hold of him at the very beginning, and never lost its +grip. It was, that there was not population enough about the South to +justify a concentration of missionary labor there, and that the policy +of the Society ought to be one of expansion, moving out far and wide +wherever there was an opening, and making the utmost possible use of +native agency, in order to cultivate so wide a field. In England he had +thought that Kuruman might be made a great missionary institute, whence +the beams of divine truth might diverge in every direction, through +native agents supplied from among the converts; but since he came to the +spot he had been obliged to abandon that notion; not that the Kuruman +mission had not been successful, or that the attendance at public +worship was small, but simply because the population was meagre, and +seemed more likely to become smaller than larger. The field from which +native agents might be drawn was thus too small. Farther north there was +a denser population. It was therefore his purpose, along with a brother +missionary, to make an early journey to the interior, and bury himself +among the natives, to learn their language, and slip into their modes of +thinking and feeling. He purposed to take with him two of the best +qualified native Christians of Kuruman, to plant them as teachers in +some promising locality; and in case any difficulty should arise about +their maintenance, he offered, with characteristic generosity, to defray +the cost of one of them from his own resources. + +Accordingly, in company with a brother missionary from Kuruman, a +journey of seven hundred miles was performed before the end of the year, +leading chiefly to two results: in the first place, a strong +confirmation of his views on the subject of native agency; and in the +second place, the selection of a station, two hundred and fifty miles +north of Kuruman, as the most suitable for missionary operations. Seven +hundred miles traveled over _more Africano_ seemed to indicate a vast +territory; but on looking at it on the map, it was a mere speck on the +continent of heathenism. How was that continent ever to be evangelized? +He could think of no method except an extensive method of native agency. +And the natives, when qualified, were admirably qualified. Their warm, +affectionate manner of dealing with their fellow-men, their ability to +present the truth to their minds freed from the strangeness of which +foreigners could not divest it, and the eminent success of those +employed by the brethren of Griqua Town, were greatly in their favor. +Two natives had likewise been employed recently by the Kuruman Mission, +and these had been highly efficient and successful. If the Directors +would allow him to employ more of these, conversions would increase in a +compound ratio, and regions not yet explored by Europeans would soon be +supplied with the bread of life. + +In regard to the spot selected for a mission, there were many +considerations in its favor. In the immediate neighborhood of Kuruman +the chiefs hated the gospel, because it deprived them of their +supernumerary wives. In the region farther north, this feeling had not +yet established itself; on the contrary, there was an impression +favorable to Europeans, and a desire for their alliance. These Bechuana +tribes had suffered much from the marauding invasions of their +neighbors; and recently, the most terrible marauder of the country, +Mosilikatse, after being driven westward by the Dutch Boers, had taken +up his abode on the banks of a central lake, and resumed his raids, +which were keeping the whole country in alarm. The more peaceful tribes +had heard of the value of the white man, and of the weapons by which a +mere handful of whites had repulsed hordes of marauders. They were +therefore disposed to welcome the stranger, although this state of +feeling could not be relied on as sure to continue, for Griqua hunters +and individuals from tribes hostile to the gospel were moving northward, +and not only circulating rumors unfavorable to missionaries, but by +their wicked lives introducing diseases previously unknown. If these +regions, therefore, were to be taken possession of by the gospel, no +time was to be lost. For himself, Livingstone had no hesitation in going +to reside in the midst of these savages, hundreds of miles away from +civilization, not merely for a visit, but, if necessary, for the whole +of his life. + +In writing to his sisters after this journey (8th December, 1841), he +gives a graphic account of the country, and some interesting notices of +the people: + + "Janet, I suppose, will feel anxious to know what our dinner + was. We boiled a piece of the flesh of a rhinoceros which was + toughness itself, the night before. The meat was our supper, + and porridge made of Indian corn-meal and gravy of the meat + made a very good dinner next day. When about 150 miles from + home we came to a large village. The chief had sore eyes; I + doctored them, and he fed us pretty well with milk and beans, + and sent a fine buck after me as a present. When we had got + about ten or twelve miles on the way, a little girl about + eleven or twelve years of age came up and sat down under my + wagon, having run away for the purpose of coming with us to + Kuruman. She had lived with a sister whom she had lately lost + by death. Another family took possession of her for the + purpose of selling her as soon as she was old enough for a + wife. But not liking this, she determined to run away from + them and come to some friends near Kuruman. With this + intention she came, and thought of walking all the way behind + my wagon. I was pleased with the determination of the little + creature, and gave her some food. But before we had remained + long there, I heard her sobbing violently, as if her heart + would break. On looking round, I observed the cause. A man + with a gun had been sent after her, and he had just arrived. + I did not know well what to do now, but I was not in + perplexity long, for Pomare, a native convert who accompanied + us, started up and defended her cause. He being the son of a + chief, and possessed of some little authority, managed the + matter nicely. She had been loaded with beads to render her + more attractive, and fetch a higher price. These she stripped + off and gave to the man, and desired him to go away. I + afterward took measures for hiding her, and though fifty men + had come for her, they would not have got her." + +The story reads like an allegory or a prophecy. In the person of the +little maid, oppressed and enslaved Africa comes to the good Doctor for +protection; instinctively she knows she may trust him; his heart opens +at once, his ingenuity contrives a way of protection and deliverance, +and he will never give her up. It is a little picture of +Livingstone's life. + +In fulfillment of a promise made to the natives in the interior that he +would return to them, Livingstone set out on a second tour into the +interior of the Bechuana country on 10th February, 1842. His objects +were, first, to acquire the native language more perfectly, and second, +by suspending his medical practice, which had become inconveniently +large at Kuruman, to give his undivided attention to the subject of +native agents. He took with him two native members of the Kuruman +church, and two other natives for the management of the wagon. + +The first person that specially engaged his interest in this journey was +a chief of the name of Bubi, whose people were Bakwains. With him he +stationed one of the native agents as a teacher, the chief himself +collecting the children and supplying them with food. The honesty of the +people was shown in their leaving untouched all the contents of his +wagon, though crowds of them visited it. Livingstone was already +acquiring a powerful influence, both with chiefs and people, the result +of his considerate and conciliatory treatment of both. He had already +observed the failure of some of his brethren to influence them, and his +sagacity had discerned the cause. His success in inducing Bubi's people +to dig a canal was contrasted in a characteristic passage of a private +letter, with the experience of others. + + "The doctor and the rainmaker among these people are one and + the same person. As I did not like to be behind my + professional brethren, I declared I could make rain too, not, + however, by enchantments like them, but by leading out their + river for irrigation. The idea pleased mightily, and to work + we went instanter. Even the chief's own doctor is at it, and + works like a good fellow, laughing heartily at the cunning of + the 'foreigner' who can make rain so. We have only one spade, + and this is without a handle; and yet by means of sticks + sharpened to a point we have performed all the digging of a + pretty long canal. The earth was lifted out in 'gowpens' and + carried to the huge dam we have built in karosses (skin + cloaks), tortoise-shells, or wooden bowls. We intended + nothing of the ornamental in it, but when we came to a huge + stone, we were forced to search for a way round it. The + consequence is, it has assumed a beautifully serpentine + appearance. This is, I believe, the first instance in which + Bechuanas have been got to work without wages. It was with + the utmost difficulty the earlier missionaries got them to do + anything. The missionaries solicited their permission to do + what they did, and this was the very way to make them show + off their airs, for they are so disobliging; if they perceive + any one in the least dependent upon them, they immediately + begin to tyrannize. A more mean and selfish vice certainly + does not exist in the world. I am trying a different plan + with them. I make my presence with any of them a favor, and + when they show any impudence, I threaten to leave them, and + if they don't amend, I put my threat into execution. By a + bold, free course among them I have had not the least + difficulty in managing the most fierce. They are in one sense + fierce, and in another the greatest cowards in the world. A + kick would, I am persuaded, quell the courage of the bravest + of them. Add to this the report which many of them verily + believe, that I am a great wizard, and you will understand + how I can with ease visit any of them. Those who do not love, + fear me, and so truly in their eyes am I possessed of + supernatural power, some have not hesitated to affirm I am + capable of even raising the dead! The people of a village + visited by a French brother actually believed it. Their + belief of my powers, I suppose, accounts, too, for the fact + that I have not missed a single article either from the house + or wagon since I came among them, and this, although all my + things lay scattered about the room, while crammed with + patients." + +It was unfortunate that the teacher whom Livingstone stationed with +Bubi's people was seized with a violent fever, so that he was obliged to +bring him away. As for Bubi himself, he was afterward burned to death by +an explosion of gunpowder, which one of his sorcerers was trying, by +means of burnt roots, to _un_-bewitch. + +In advancing, Livingstone had occasion to pass through a part of the +great Kalahari desert, and here he met with Sekomi, a chief of the +Bamangwato, from whom also he received a most friendly reception. The +ignorance of this tribe he found to be exceedingly great: + + "Their conceptions of the Deity are of the most vague and + contradictory nature, and the name of God conveys no more to + their understanding than the idea of superiority. Hence they + do not hesitate to apply the name to their chiefs. I was + every day shocked by being addressed by that title, and + though it as often furnished me with a text from which to + tell them of the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom he has + sent, yet it deeply pained me, and I never felt so fully + convinced of the lamentable detoriation of our species. It is + indeed a mournful truth that man has become like the beasts + that perish." + +The place was greatly infested by lions, and during Livingstone's visit +an awful occurrence took place that made a great impression on him: + + "A woman was actually devoured in her garden during my visit, + and that so near the town that I had frequently walked past + it. It was most affecting to hear the cries of the orphan + children of this woman. During the whole day after her death + the surrounding rocks and valleys rang and re-echoed with + their bitter cries. I frequently thought as I listened to the + loud sobs, painfully indicative of the sorrows of those who + have no hope, that if some of our churches could have heard + their sad wailings, it would have awakened the firm + resolution to do more for the heathen than they have done." + +Poor Sekomi advanced a new theory of regeneration which Livingstone was +unable to work out: + + "On one occasion Sekomi, having sat by me in the hut for some + time in deep thought, at length addressing me by a pompous + title said, 'I wish you would change my heart. Give me + medicine to change it, for it is proud, proud and angry, + angry always.' I lifted up the Testament and was about to + tell him of the only way in which the heart can be changed, + but he interrupted me by saying, 'Nay, I wish to have it + changed by medicine, to drink and have it changed at once, + for it is always very proud and very uneasy, and continually + angry with some one.' He then rose and went away." + +A third tribe visited at this time was the Bakaa, and here, too, +Livingstone was able to put in force his wonderful powers of management. +Shortly before, the Bakaa had murdered a trader and his company. When +Livingstone appeared their consciences smote them, and, with the +exception of the chief and two attendants, the whole of the people fled +from his presence. Nothing could allay their terror, till, a dish of +porridge having been prepared, they saw Livingstone partake of it along +with themselves without distrust. When they saw him lie down and fall +asleep they were quite at their ease. Thereafter he began to speak +to them: + + "I had more than ordinary pleasure in telling these murderers + of the precious blood which cleanseth from all sin. I bless + God that He has conferred on one so worthless the + distinguished privilege and honor of being the first + messenger of mercy that ever trod these regions. Its being + also the first occasion on which I had ventured to address a + number of Bechuanas in their own tongue without reading it, + renders it to myself one of peculiar interest. I felt more + freedom than I had anticipated, but I have an immense amount + of labor still before me, ere I can call myself a master of + Sichuana. This journey discloses to me that when I have + acquired the Batlapi, there is another and perhaps more + arduous task to be accomplished in the other dialects, but by + the Divine assistance I hope I shall be enabled to conquer. + When I left the Bakaa, the chief sent his son with a number + of his people to see me safe part of the way to the + Makalaka." + +On his way home, in passing through Bubi's country, he was visited by +sixteen of the people of Sebehwe, a chief who had successfully withstood +Mosilikatse, but whose cowardly neighbors, under the influence of +jealousy, had banded together to deprive him of what they had not had +the courage to defend. Consequently he had been driven into the sandy +desert, and his object in sending to Livingstone was to solicit his +advice and protection, as he wished to come out, in order that his +people might grow corn, etc. Sebehwe, like many of the other people of +the country, had the notion that if he got a single white man to live +with him, he would be quite secure. It was no wonder that Livingstone +early acquired the strong conviction that if missions could only be +scattered over Africa, their immediate effect in promoting the +tranquillity of the continent could hardly be over-estimated. + +We have given these details somewhat fully, because they show that +before he had been a year in the country Livingstone had learned how to +rule the Africans. From the very first, his genial address, simple and +fearless manner, and transparent kindliness formed a spell which rarely +failed. He had great faith in the power of humor. He was never afraid of +a man who had a hearty laugh. By a playful way of dealing with the +people, he made them feel at ease with him, and afterward he could be +solemn enough when the occasion required. His medical knowledge helped +him greatly; but for permanent influence all would have been in vain if +he had not uniformly observed the rules of justice, good feeling, and +good manners. Often ha would say that the true road to influence was +patient continuance in well-doing. It is remarkable that, from the very +first, he should have seen the charm of that method which he employed so +successfully to the end. + +In the course of this journey, Livingstone was within ten days of Lake +'Ngami, the lake of which he had heard at the Cape, and which he +actually discovered in 1849; and he might have discovered it now, had +discovery alone been his object. Part of his journey was performed on +foot, in consequence of the draught oxen having become sick: + + "Some of my companions," he says in his first book, "who had + recently joined us, and did not know that I understood a + little of their speech, were overheard by me discussing my + appearance and powers: 'He is not strong, he is quite slim, + and only appears stout because he puts himself in those bags + (trousers); he will soon knock up.' This caused my Highland + blood to rise, and made me despise the fatigue of keeping + them all at the top of their speed for days together, and + until I heard them expressing proper opinions of my + pedestrian powers." + +We have seen how full Livingstone's heart was of the missionary spirit; +how intent he was on making friends of the natives, and how he could +already preach in one dialect, and was learning another. But the +activity of his mind enabled him to give attention at the same time to +other matters. He was already pondering the structure of the great +African Continent, and carefully investigating the process of +desiccation that had been going on for a long time, and had left much +uncomfortable evidence of its activity in many parts. In the desert, he +informs his friend Watt that no fewer than thirty-two edible roots and +forty-three fruits grew without cultivation. He had the rare faculty of +directing his mind at the full stretch of its power to one great object, +and yet, apparently without effort, giving minute and most careful +attention to many other matters,--all bearing, however, on the same +great end. + +A very interesting letter to Dr. Risdon Bennett, dated Kuruman, 18th +December, 1841, gives an account of his first year's work from the +medical and scientific point of view. First, he gives an amusing picture +of the Bechuana chiefs, and then some details of his medical practice: + + The people are all under the feudal system of government, the + chieftainship is hereditary, and although the chief is + usually the greatest ass, and the most insignificant of the + tribe in appearance, the people pay a deference to him which + is truly astonishing.... I feel the benefit often of your + instructions, and of those I got through your kindness. Here + I have an immense practice. I have patients now under + treatment who have walked 130 miles for my advice; and when + these go home, others will come for the same purpose. This is + the country for a medical man if he wants a large practice, + but he must leave fees out of the question! The Bechuanas + have a great deal more disease than I expected to find among + a savage nation; but little else can be expected, for they + are nearly naked, and endure the scorching heat of the day + and the chills of the night in that condition. Add to this + that they are absolutely omnivorous. Indigestion, rheumatism, + opthalmia are the prevailing diseases.... Many very bad cases + were brought to me, sometimes, when traveling, my wagon was + quite besieged by their blind and halt and lame. What a + mighty effect would be produced if one of the seventy + disciples were among them to heal them all by a word! The + Bechuanas resort to the Bushmen and the poor people that live + in the desert for doctors. The fact of my dealing in that + line a little is so strange, and now my fame has spread far + and wide. But if one of Christ's apostles were here, I should + think he would be very soon known all over the continent to + Abyssinia. The great deal of work I have had to do in + attending to the sick has proved beneficial to me, for they + make me speak the language perpetually, and if I were + inclined to be lazy in learning it, they would prevent me + indulging the propensity. And they are excellent patients, + too, besides. There is no wincing; everything prescribed is + done _instanter_. Their only failing is that they become + tired of a long course. But in any operation, even the women + sit unmoved. I have been quite astonished again and again at + their calmness. In cutting out a tumor, an inch in diameter, + they sit and talk as if they felt nothing. 'A man like me + never cries,' they say, 'they are children that cry.' And it + is a fact that the men never cry. But when the Spirit of God + works on their minds they cry most piteously. Sometimes in + church they endeavor to screen themselves from the eyes of + the preacher by hiding under the forms or covering their + heads with their karosses as a remedy against their + convictions. And when they find that won't do, they rush out + of the church and run with all their might, crying as if the + hand of death were behind them. One would think, when they + got away, there they would remain; but no, there they are in + their places at the very next meeting. It is not to be + wondered at that they should exhibit agitations of body when + the mind is affected, as they are quite unaccustomed to + restrain their feelings. But that the hardened beings should + be moved mentally at all is wonderful indeed. If you saw them + in their savage state you would feel the force of this + more.... _N.B._--I have got for Professor Owen specimens of + the incubated ostrich in abundance, and am waiting for an + opportunity to transmit the box to the college. I tried to + keep for you some of the fine birds of the interior, but the + weather was so horribly hot they were putrid in a few hours. + +When he returned to Kuruman in June, 1842, he found that no instructions +had as yet come from the Directors as to his permanent quarters. He was +preparing for another journey when news arrived that contrary to his +advice, Sebehwe had left the desert where he was encamped, had been +treacherously attacked by the chief Mahura, and that many of his people, +including women and children, had been savagely murdered. What +aggravated the case was that several native Christians from Kuruman had +been at the time with Sebehwe, and that these were accused of having +acted treacherously by him. But now no native would expose himself to +the expected rage of Sebehwe, so that for want of attendants Livingstone +could not go to him. He was obliged to remain for some months about +Kuruman, itinerating to the neighboring tribes, and taking part in the +routine work of the station: that is to say preaching, printing, +building a chapel at an out-station, prescribing for the sick, and many +things else that would have been intolerable, he said, to a man of +"clerical dignity." + +He was able to give his father a very encouraging report of the mission +work (July 13, 1842): "The work of God goes on here notwithstanding all +our infirmities. Souls are gathered in continually, and sometimes from +among those you would never have expected to see turning to the Lord. +Twenty-four were added to the Church last month, and there are several +inquirers. At Motito, a French station about thirty-three miles +northeast of this, there has been an awakening, and I hope much good +will result. I have good news, too, from Rio de Janeiro. The Bibles that +have been distributed are beginning to cause a stir." + +The state of the country continued so disturbed that it was not till +February, 1843, that he was able to set out for the village where +Sebehwe had taken up his residence with the remains of his tribe. This +visit he undertook at great personal risk. Though looking at first very +ill-pleased, Sebehwe treated him in a short time in a most friendly way, +and on the Sunday after his arrival, sent a herald to proclaim that on +that day nothing should be done but pray to God and listen to the words +of the foreigner. He himself listened with great attention while +Livingstone told him of Jesus and the resurrection, and the missionary +was often interrupted by the questions of the chief. Here, then, was +another chief pacified, and brought under the preaching of the gospel. + +Livingstone then passed on to the country of the Bakhatla, where he had +purposed to erect his mission-station. The country was fertile, and the +people industrious, and among other industries was an iron manufactory, +to which as a bachelor he got admission, whereas married men were wont +to be excluded, through fear that they would bewitch the iron! When he +asked the chief if he would like him to come and be his missionary, he +held up his hands and said, "Oh, I shall dance if you do; I shall +collect all my people to hoe for you a garden, and you will get more +sweet reed and corn than myself." The cautious Directors at home, +however, had sent no instructions as to Livingstone's station, and he +could only say to the chief that he would tell them of his desire for a +missionary. + +At a distance of five days' journey beyond the Bakhatla was situated the +village of Sechéle, chief of the Bakwains, afterward one of +Livingstone's greatest friends. Sechéle had been enraged at him for not +visiting him the year before, and threatened him with mischief. It +happened that his only child was ill when the missionary arrived, and +also the child of one of his principal men. Livingstone's treatment of +both was successful, and Sechéle had not an angry word. Some of his +questions struck the heart of the missionary: + + "'Since it is true that all who die unforgiven are lost + forever, why did your nation not come to tell us of it before + now? My ancestors are all gone, and none of them knew + anything of what you tell me. How is this?' I thought + immediately," says Livingstone, "of the guilt of the Church, + but did not confess. I told him multitudes in our own country + were like himself, so much in love with their sins. My + ancestors had spent a great deal of time in trying to + persuade them, and yet after all many of them by refusing + were lost. We now wish to tell all the world about a Saviour, + and if men did not believe, the guilt would be entirely + theirs. Sechéle has been driven from another part of his + country from that in which he was located last year, and so + has Bubi, so that the prospects I had of benefiting them by + native teachers are for the present darkened." + +Among other things that Livingstone found time for in these wanderings +among strange people, was translating hymns into the Sichuana language. +Writing to his father (Bakwain Country, 21st March, 1843), he says: + + "Janet may be pleased to learn that I am become a poet, or + rather a poetaster, in Sichuana. Half a dozen of my hymns + were lately printed in a collection of the French brethren. + One of them is a translation of 'There is a fountain filled + with blood;' another, 'Jesus shall reign where'er the sun;' + others are on 'The earth being filled with the glory of the + Lord,' 'Self-dedication,' 'Invitation to Sinners,' 'The soul + that loves God finds him everywhere.' Janet may try to make + English ones on these latter subjects if she can, and Agnes + will doubtless set them to music on the same condition. I do + not boast of having done this, but only mention it to let you + know that I am getting a little better fitted for the great + work of a missionary, that your hearts may be drawn out to + more prayer for the success of the gospel proclaimed by my + feeble lips." + +Livingstone was bent on advancing in the direction of the country of the +Matebele and their chief Mosilikatse, but the dread of that terrible +warrior prevented him from getting Bakwains to accompany him, and being +thus unable to rig out a wagon, he was obliged to travel on oxback. In a +letter to Dr. Risdon Bennett (30th June, 1843), he gives a lively +description of this mode of traveling: "It is rough traveling, as you +can conceive. The skin is so loose there is no getting one's great-coat, +which has to serve both as saddle and blanket, to stick on; and then the +long horns in front, with which he can give one a punch in the abdomen +if he likes, make us sit as bolt upright as dragoons. In this manner I +traveled more than 400 miles." Visits to some of the villages of the +Bakalahari gave him much pleasure. He was listened to with great +attention, and while sitting by their fires and listening to their +traditionary tales, he intermingled the story of the Cross with their +conversation, and it was by far the happiest portion of his journey. +The people were a poor, degraded, enslaved race, who hunted for other +tribes to procure them skins; they were far from wells, and had their +gardens far from their houses, in order to have their produce safe from +the chiefs who visited them. + +Coming on to his old friends the Bakaa, he found them out of humor with +him, accusing him of having given poison to a native who had been seized +with fever on occasion of his former visit. Consequently he could get +little or nothing to eat, and had to content himself, as he wrote to his +friends, with the sumptuous feasts of his imagination. With his usual +habit of discovering good in all his troubles, however, he found cause +for thankfulness at their stinginess, for in coming down a steep pass, +absorbed with the questions which the people were putting to him, he +forgot where he was, lost his footing, and, striking his hand between a +rock and his Bible which he was carrying, he suffered a compound +fracture of his finger. His involuntary low diet saved him from taking +fever, and the finger was healing favorably, when a sudden visit in the +middle of the night from a lion, that threw them all into consternation, +made him, without thinking, discharge his revolver at the visitor, and +the recoil hurt him more than the shot did the lion. It rebroke his +finger, and the second fracture was worse than the first. "The +Bakwains," he says, "who were most attentive to my wants during the +whole journey of more than 400 miles, tried to comfort me when they saw +the blood again flowing, by saying, 'You have hurt yourself, but you +have redeemed us: henceforth we will only swear by you.' Poor +creatures," he writes to Dr. Bennett, "I wished they had felt gratitude +for the blood that was shed for their precious souls." + +Returning to Kuruman from this journey, in June, 1843, Livingstone was +delighted to find at length a letter from the Directors of the Society +authorizing the formation of a settlement in the regions beyond. He +found another letter that greatly cheered him, from a Mrs. M'Robert, the +wife of art Independent minister at Cambuslang (near Blantyre), who had +collected and now sent him £12 for a native agent, and was willing, on +the part of some young friends, to send presents of clothing for the +converts. In acknowledging this letter, Livingstone poured out his very +heart, so full was he of gratitude and delight. He entreated the givers +to consider Mebalwe as their own agent, and to concentrate their prayers +upon him, for prayer, he thought, was always more efficacious when it +could be said, "One thing have I desired of the Lord." As to the present +of clothing, he simply entreated his friends to send nothing of the +kind; such things demoralized the recipients, and bred endless +jealousies. If he were allowed to charge something for the clothes, he +would be pleased to have them, but on no other terms. + +Writing to the Secretary of the Society, Rev. A. Tidman (24th June, +1843), and referring to the past success of the Mission in the nearer +localities, he says: "If you could realize this fact as fully as those +on the spot can, you would be able to enter into the feelings of +irrepressible delight with which I hail the decision of the Directors +that we go forward to the dark interior. May the Lord enable me to +consecrate my whole being to the glorious work!" + +In this communication to the Directors Livingstone modestly, but frankly +and firmly, gives them his mind on some points touched on in their +letter to him. In regard to his favorite measure--native agency--he is +glad that a friend has remitted money for the employment of one agent, +and that others have promised the means of employing other two. On +another subject he had a communication to make to them which evidently +cost him no ordinary effort. In his more private letters to his friends, +from an early period after entering Africa, he had expressed himself +very freely, almost contemptuously, on the distribution of the +laborers. There was far too much clustering about the Cape Colony, and +the district immediately beyond it, and a woeful slowness to strike out +with the fearless chivalry that became missionaries of the Cross, and +take possession of the vast continent beyond. All his letters reveal the +chafing of his spirit with this confinement of evangelistic energy in +the face of so vast a field--this huddling together of laborers in +sparsely peopled districts, instead of sending them forth over the whole +of Africa, India, and China, to preach the gospel to every creature. He +felt deeply that both the Church at home, and many of the missionaries +on the spot, had a poor conception of missionary duty, out of which came +little faith, little effort, little expectation, with a miserable +tendency to exaggerate their own evils and grievances, and fall into +paltry squabbles which would not have been possible if they had been +fired with the ambition to win the world for Christ. + +But what it was a positive relief for him to whisper in the ear of an +intimate friend, it demanded the courage of a hero to proclaim to the +Directors of a great Society. It was like impugning their whole policy +and arraigning their wisdom. But Livingstone could not say one thing in +private and another in public. Frankly and fearlessly he proclaimed +his views: + + "The conviction to which I refer is that a much larger share + of the benevolence of the Church and of missionary exertion + is directed into this country than the amount of population, + as compared with other countries, and the success attending + those efforts, seem to call for. This conviction has been + forced upon me, both by a personal inspection, more extensive + than that which has fallen to the lot of any other, either + missionary or trader, and by the sentiments of other + missionaries who have investigated the subject according to + their opportunities. In reference to the population, I may + mention that I was led in England to believe that the + population of the interior was dense, and now since I have + come to this country I have conversed with many, both of our + Society and of the French, and none of them would reckon up + the number of 30,000 Bechuanas." + +He then proceeds to details in a most characteristic way, giving the +number of huts in every village, and being careful in every case, as his +argument proceeded on there being a small population, rather to +overstate than understate the number: + + "In view of these facts and the confirmation of them I have + received from both French and English brethren, computing the + population much below what I have stated, I confess I feel + grieved to hear of the arrival of new missionaries. Nor am I + the only one who deplores their appointment to this country. + Again and again have I been pained at heart to hear the + question put, Where will these new brethren find fields of + labor in this country? Because I know that in India or China + there are fields large enough for all their energies. I am + very far from undervaluing the success which has attended the + labors of missionaries in this land. No! I gratefully + acknowledge the wonders God hath wrought, and I feel that the + salvation of one soul is of more value than all the effort + that has been expended; but we are to seek the field where + there is a possibility that most souls will be converted, and + it is this consideration which makes me earnestly call the + attention of the Directors to the subject of statistics. If + these were actually returned--and there would be very little + difficulty in doing so--it might, perhaps, be found that + there is not a country better supplied with missionaries in + the world, and that in proportion to the number of agents + compared to the amount of population, the success may be + inferior to most other countries where efforts have been + made." + +Finding that a brother missionary was willing to accompany him to the +station he had fixed on among the Bakhatlas, and enable him to set to +work with the necessary arrangements, Livingstone set out with him in +the beginning of August, 1843, and arrived at his destination after a +fortnight's journey. Writing to his family, "in sight of the hills of +Bakhatla," August 21st, 1843, he says: "We are in company with a party +of three hunters: one of them from the West Indies, and two from +India--Mr. Pringle from Tinnevelly, and Captain Steel of the Coldstream +Guards, aide-de-camp to the Governor of Madras.... The Captain is the +politest of the whole, well versed in the classics, and possessed of +much general knowledge." Captain Steele, now General Sir Thomas Steele, +proved one of Livingstone's best and most constant friends. In one +respect the society of gentlemen who came to hunt would not have been +sought by Livingstone, their aims and pursuits being so different from +his; but he got on with them wonderfully. In some instances these +strangers were thoroughly sympathetic, but not in all. When they were +not sympathetic on religion, he had a strong conviction that his first +duty as a servant of Christ was to commend his religion by his life and +spirit--by integrity, civility, kindness, and constant readiness to deny +himself in obliging others; having thus secured, their esteem and +confidence, he would take such quiet opportunities as presented +themselves to get near their consciences on his Master's behalf. He took +care that there should be no moving about on the day of rest, and that +the outward demeanor of all should be befitting a Christian company. For +himself, while he abhorred the indiscriminate slaughter of animals for +mere slaughter's sake, he thought well of the chase as a means of +developing courage, promptness of action in time of danger, protracted +endurance of hunger and thirst, determination in the pursuit of an +object, and other qualities befitting brave and powerful men. The +respect and affection with which he inspired the gentlemen who were thus +associated with him was very remarkable. Doubtless, with his quick +apprehension, he learned a good deal from their society of the ways and +feelings of a class with whom hitherto he had hardly ever been in +contact. The large resources with which they were furnished, in contrast +to his own, excited no feeling of envy, nor even a desire to possess +their ample means, unless he could have used them to extend missionary +operations; and the gentlemen themselves would sometimes remark that the +missionaries were more comfortable than they. Though they might at times +spend thousands of pounds where Livingstone did not spend as many +pence, and would be provided with horses, servants, tents, and stores, +enough to secure comfort under almost any conditions, they had not that +key to the native heart and that power to command the willing services +of native attendants which belonged so remarkably to the missionary. +"When we arrive at a spot where we intend to spend the night," writes +Livingstone to his family, "all hands immediately unyoke the oxen. Then +one or two of the company collect wood; one of us strikes up a fire, +another gets out the water-bucket and fills the kettle; a piece of meat +is thrown on the fire, and if we have biscuits, we are at our coffee in +less than half an hour after arriving. Our friends, perhaps, sit or +stand shivering at their fire for two or three hours before they get +their things ready, and are glad occasionally of a cup of coffee +from us." + +The first act of the missionaries on arriving at their destination was +to have an interview with the chief, and ask whether he desired a +missionary. Having an eye to the beads, guns, and other things, of which +white men seemed always to have an ample store, the chief and his men +gave them a cordial welcome, and Livingstone next proceeded to make a +purchase of land. This, like Abraham with the sons of Heth, he insisted +should be done in legal form, and for this purpose he drew up a written +contract to which, after it was fully explained to them, both parties +attached their signatures or marks. They then proceeded to the erection +of a hut fifty feet by eighteen, not getting much help from the +Bakhatlas, who devolved such labors on the women, but being greatly +helped by the native deacon, Mebalwe. All this Livingstone and his +companion had done on their own responsibility, and in the hope that the +Directors would approve of it. But if they did not, he told them that he +was at their disposal "to go anywhere--_provided it be_ FORWARD." + +The progress of medical and scientific work during this period is noted +in a letter to Dr. Risdon Bennett, dated 30th June, 1843. In addition to +full details of the missionary work, this letter enters largely into the +state of disease in South Africa, and records some interesting cases, +medical and surgical. Still more interesting, perhaps, is the evidence +it affords of the place in Livingstone's attention which began to be +occupied by three great subjects of which we shall hear much +anon--Fever, Tsetse, and "the Lake." Fever he considered the greatest +barrier to the evangelization of Africa. Tsetse, an insect like a common +fly, destroyed horses and oxen, so that many traders lost literally +every ox in their team. As for the Lake, it lay somewhat beyond the +outskirts of his new district, and was reported terrible for fever. He +heard that Mr. Moffat intended to visit it, but he was somewhat alarmed +lest his friend should suffer. It was not Moffat, but Livingstone, +however, that first braved the risks of that fever swamp. + +A subject of special scientific interest to the missionary during this +period was--the desiccation of Africa. On this topic he addressed a long +letter to Dr. Buckland in 1843, of which, considerably to his regret, no +public notice appears to have been taken, and perhaps the letter never +reached him. The substance of this paper may, however, be gathered from +a communication subsequently made to the Royal Geographical Society[20] +after his first impression had been confirmed by enlarged observation +and discovery. Around, and north of Kuruman, he had found many +indications of a much larger supply of water in a former age. He +ascribed the desiccation to the gradual elevation of the western part of +the country. He found traces of a very large ancient river which flowed +nearly north and south to a large lake, including the bed of the present +Orange River; in fact, he believed that the whole country south of Lake +'Ngami presented in ancient times very much the same appearance as the +basin north of that lake does now, and that the southern lake +disappeared when a fissure was made in the ridge through which the +Orange River now proceeds to the sea. He could even indicate the spot +where the river and the lake met, for some hills there had caused an +eddy in which was found a mound of calcareous tufa and travertine, full +of fossil bones. These fossils he was most eager to examine, in order to +determine the time of the change; but on his first visit he had no time, +and when he returned, he was suddenly called away to visit a +missionary's child, a hundred miles off. It happened that he was never +in the same locality again, and had therefore no opportunity to complete +his investigation. + +[Footnote 20: See Journal, vol. xxvii. p. 356.] + +Dr. Livingstone's mind had that wonderful power which belongs to some +men of the highest gifts, of passing with the utmost rapidity, not only +from subject to subject, but from one mood or key to another entirely +different. In a letter to his family, written about this time, we have a +characteristic instance. On one side of the sheet is a prolonged +outburst of tender Christian love and lamentation over a young attendant +who had died of fever suddenly; on the other side, he gives a map of the +Bakhatla country with its rivers and mountains, and is quite at home in +the geographical details, crowning his description with some sentimental +and half-ludicrous lines of poetry. No reasonable man will fancy that in +the wailings of his heart there was any levity or want of sincerity. +What we are about to copy merits careful consideration: first, as +evincing the depth and tenderness of his love for these black savages; +next, as showing that it was pre-eminently Christian love, intensified +by his vivid view of the eternal world, and belief in Christ as the only +Saviour; and, lastly, as revealing the secret of the affection which +these poor fellows bore to him in return. The intensity of the scrutiny +which he directs on his heart, and the severity of the judgment which he +seems to pass on himself, as if he had not done all he might have done +for the spiritual good of this young man, show with what intense +conscientiousness he tried to discharge his missionary duty: + + "Poor Sehamy, where art thou now? Where lodges thy soul + to-night? Didst thou think of what I told thee as thou + turnedst from side to side in distress? I could now do + anything for thee. I could weep for thy soul. But now nothing + can be done. Thy fate is fixed. Oh, am I guilty of the blood + of thy soul, my poor dear Sehamy? If so, how shall I look + upon thee in the judgment? But I told thee of a Saviour; + didst thou think of Him, and did He lead thee through the + dark valley? Did He comfort as He only can? Help me, O Lord + Jesus, to be faithful to every one. Remember me, and let me + not be guilty of the blood of souls. This poor young man was + the leader of the party. He governed the others, and most + attentive he was to me. He anticipated my every want. He kept + the water-calabash at his head at night, and if I awoke, he + was ready to give me a draught immediately. When the meat was + boiled he secured the best portion for me, the best place for + sleeping, the best of everything. Oh, where is he now? He + became ill after leaving a certain tribe, and believed he had + been poisoned. Another of the party and he ate of a certain + dish given them by a woman whom they had displeased, and + having met this man yesterday he said, 'Sehamy is gone to + heaven, and I am almost dead by the poison given us by that + woman.' I don't believe they took any poison, but they do, + and their imaginations are dreadfully excited when they + entertain that belief." + +The same letter intimates that in case his family should have arranged +to emigrate to America, as he had formerly advised them to do, he had +sent home a bill of which £10 was to aid the emigration, and £10 to be +spent on clothes for himself. In regard to the latter sum, he now wished +them to add it to the other, so that his help might be more substantial; +and for himself he would make his old clothes serve for another year. +The emigration scheme, which he thought would have added to the comfort +of his parents and sisters, was not, however, carried into effect. The +advice to his family to emigrate proceeded from deep convictions. In a +subsequent letter (4th December, 1850) he writes: "If I could only be +with you for a week, you would goon be pushing on in the world. The +world is ours. Our Father made it to be inhabited, and many shall run +to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. _It will be increased more +by emigration than by missionaries._" He held it to be God's wish that +the unoccupied parts of the earth should be possessed, and he believed +in Christian colonization as a great means of spreading the gospel. We +shall see afterward that to plant English and Scotch colonies in Africa +became one of his master ideas and favorite schemes. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +FIRST TWO STATIONS--MABOTSA AND CHONUANE. + +A.D. 1843-1847. + +Description of Mabotsa--A favorite hymn--General reading--Mabotsa +infested with lions--Livingstone's encounter--The native deacon who +saved him--His Sunday-school--Marriage to Mary Moffat--Work at +Mabotsa--Proposed institution for training native agents--Letter to his +mother--Trouble at Mabotsa--Noble sacrifice of Livingstone--Goes to +Sechéle and the Bakwains--New station at Chonuane--Interest shown by +Sechéle--Journeys eastward--The Boers and the Transvaal--Their +occupation of the country, and treatment of the natives--Work among the +Bakwains--Livingstone's desire to move on--Theological conflict at +home--His view of it--His scientific labors and miscellaneous +employments. + + +Describing what was to be his new home to his friend Watt from Kuruman, +27th September, 1843, Livingstone says: "The Bakhatla have cheerfully +offered to remove to a more favorable position than they at present +occupy. We have fixed upon a most delightful valley, which we hope to +make the centre of our sphere of operations in the interior. It is +situated in what poetical gents like you would call almost an +amphitheatre of mountains. The mountain range immediately in the rear of +the spot where we have fixed our residence is called Mabotsa, or a +marriage-feast. May the Lord lift upon us the light of his countenance, +so that by our feeble instrumentality many may thence be admitted to the +marriage-feast of the Lamb. The people are as raw as may well be +imagined; they have not the least desire but for the things of the +earth, and it must be a long time ere we can gain their attention to the +things which are above." + +Something led him in his letter to Mr. Watt to talk of the old monks, +and the spots they selected for their establishments. He goes on to +write lovingly of what was good in some of the old fathers of the +mediæval Church, despite the strong feeling of many to the contrary; +indicating thus early the working of that catholic spirit which was +constantly expanding in later years, which could separate the good in +any man from all its evil surroundings, and think of it thankfully and +admiringly. In the following extract we get a glimpse of a range of +reading much wider than most would probably have supposed likely: + + "Who can read the sermons of St. Bernard, the meditations of + St. Augustine, etc., without saying, whatever other faults + they had: They thirsted, and now they are filled. That hymn: + of St. Bernard, on the name of Christ, although in what might + he termed dog-Latin, pleases me so; it rings in my ears as I + wander across the wide, wide wilderness, and makes me wish I + was more like them-- + + "Jesu, dulcis memoria, Jesu, spes poenitentibus, + Dans cordi vera gaudia; Quam pius es petentibus! + Sed super mel et omnia, Quam bonus es quærentibus! + Ejus dulcis præsentia. Sed quid invenientibus! + + Nil canitur suavius, Jesu, dulcedo cordium, + Nil auditur jucundius, Fons, rivus, lumen mentium, + Nil cogitatur dulcius, Excedens omne gaudium, + Quam Jesus Dei filius. Et omne desiderium." + +Livingstone was in the habit of fastening inside the boards of his +journals, or writing on the fly-leaf, verses that interested him +specially. In one of these volumes this hymn is copied at full length. +In another we find a very yellow newspaper clipping of the "Song of the +Shirt." In the same volume a clipping containing "The Bridge of +Sighs," beginning + + "One more unfortunate, + Weary of breath, + Rashly importunate, + Gone to her death." + +In another we have Coleridge's lines: + + "He prayeth well who loveth well + Both man and bird and beast. + He prayeth best who loveth best + All things both great and small; + For the dear God who loveth us, + He made and loveth all." + +In another, hardly legible on the marble paper, we find: + + "So runs my dream: but what am I? + An infant crying in the night; + An infant crying for the light: + And with no language but a cry." + +All Livingstone's personal friends testify that, considering the state +of banishment in which he lived, his acquaintance with English +literature was quite remarkable. When a controversy arose in America as +to the genuineness of his letters to the _New York Herald_, the +familiarity of the writer with the poems of Whittier was made an +argument against him. But Livingstone knew a great part of the poetry of +Longfellow, Whittier, and others by heart. + +There was one drawback to the new locality: it was infested with lions. +All the world knows the story of the encounter at Mabotsa, which was so +near ending Livingstone's career, when the lion seized him by the +shoulder, tore his flesh, and crushed his bone. Nothing in all +Livingstone's history took more hold of the popular imagination, or was +more frequently inquired about when he came home[21]. By a kind of +miracle his life was saved, but the encounter left him lame for life of +the arm which the lion crunched[22]. But the world generally does not +know that Mebalwe, the native who was with him, and who saved his life +by diverting the lion when his paw was on his head, was the teacher whom +Mrs. M'Robert's twelve pounds had enabled him to employ. Little did the +good woman think that this offering would indirectly be the means of +preserving the life of Livingstone for the wonderful work of the next +thirty years! When, on being attacked by Mebalwe, the lion left +Livingstone, and sprang upon him, he bit his thigh, then dashed toward +another man, and caught him by the shoulder, when in a moment, the +previous shots taking effect, he fell down dead. Sir Bartle Frere, in +his obituary notice of Livingstone read to the Royal Geographical +Society, remarked: "For thirty years afterward all his labors and +adventures, entailing such exertion and fatigue, were undertaken with a +limb so maimed that it was painful for him to raise a fowling-piece, or +in fact to place the left arm in any position above the level of the +shoulder." + +[Footnote 21: He did not speak of it spontaneously, and sometimes he +gave unexpected answers to questions put to him about it. To one person +who asked very earnestly what were his thoughts when the lion was above +him, he answered, "I was thinking what part of me he would eat first"--a +grotesque thought, which some persons considered strange in so good a +man, but which was quite in accordance with human experience in similar +circumstances.] + +[Footnote 22: The false joint in the crushed arm was the mark by which +the body of Livingstone was identified when brought home by his +followers in 1873.] + +In his _Missionary Travels_ Livingstone says that but for the +importunities of his friends, he meant to have kept this story in store +to tell his children in his dotage. How little he made of it at the time +will be seen from the following allusion to it in a letter to his +father, dated 27th July, 1844. After telling how the attacks of the +lions drew the people of Mabotsa away from the irrigating operations he +was engaged in, he says: + + "At last, one of the lions destroyed nine sheep in broad + daylight on a hill just opposite our house. All the people + immediately ran over to it, and, contrary to my custom, I + imprudently went with them, in order to see how they acted, + and encourage them to destroy him. They surrounded him + several times, but he managed to break through the circle. I + then got tired. In coming home I had to come near to the end + of the hill. They were then close upon the lion and had + wounded him. He rushed out from the bushes which concealed + him from view, and bit me on the arm so as to break the bone. + It is now nearly well, however, feeling weak only from having + been confined in one position so long; and I ought to praise + Him who delivered me from so great a danger. I hope I shall + never forget his mercy. You need not be sorry for me, for + long before this reaches you it will be quite as strong as + ever it was. Gratitude is the only feeling we ought to have + in remembering the event. Do not mention this to any one. I + do not like to be talked about." + +In a letter to the Directors, Livingstone briefly adverts to Mebalwe's +service on this occasion, but makes it a peg on which to hang some +strong remarks on that favorite topic--the employment of native agency: + + "Our native assistant Mebalwe has been of considerable value + to the Mission. In endeavoring to save my life he nearly lost + his own, for he was caught and wounded severely, but both + before being laid aside, and since his recovery, he has shown + great willingness to be useful. The cheerful manner in which + he engages with us in manual labor in the station, and his + affectionate addresses to his countrymen, are truly + gratifying. Mr. E. took him to some of the neighboring + villages lately, in order to introduce him to his work; and I + intend to depart to-morrow for the same purpose to several of + the villages situated northeast of this. In all there may be + a dozen considerable villages situated at convenient + distances around us, and we each purpose to visit them + statedly. It would be an _immense advantage_ to the cause had + we many such agents." + +Another proof that his pleas for native agency, published in some of the +Missionary Magazines, were telling at home, was the receipt of a +contribution for the employment of a native helper, amounting to £15, +from a Sunday-school in Southampton. Touched with this proof of youthful +sympathy, Livingstone addressed a long letter of thanks to the +Southampton teachers and children, desiring to deepen their interest in +the work, and concluding with an account of his Sunday-school: + + "I yesterday commenced school for the first time at Mabotsa, + and the poor little naked things came with fear and + trembling. A native teacher assisted, and the chief collected + as many of them as he could, or I believe we should have had + none. The reason is, the women make us the hobgoblins of + their children, telling them 'these white men bite children, + feed them with dead men's brains, and all manner of nonsense. + We are just commencing our mission among them." + +A new star now appeared in Livingstone's horizon, destined to give a +brighter complexion to his life, and a new illustration to the name +Mabotsa. Till this year (1844) he had steadily repudiated all thoughts +of marriage, thinking it better to be independent. Nor indeed had he met +with any one to induce him to change his mind. Writing in the end of +1843 to his friend Watt, he had said: "There's no outlet for me when I +begin to think of getting married but that of sending home an +advertisement to the _Evangelical Magazine_, and if I get very old, it +must be for some decent sort of widow. In the meantime I am too busy to +think of any thing of the kind." But soon after the Moffats came back +from England to Kuruman, their eldest daughter Mary rapidly effected a +revolution in Livingstone's ideas of matrimony. They became engaged. In +announcing his approaching marriage to the Directors, he makes it plain +that he had carefully considered the bearing which this step might have +on his usefulness as a missionary. No doubt if he had foreseen the very +extraordinary work to which he was afterwards to be called, he might +have come to a different conclusion. But now, apparently, he was fixed +and settled. Mabotsa would become a centre from which native missionary +agents would radiate over a large circumference. His own life-work would +resemble Mr. Moffat's. For influencing the women and children of such a +place, a Christian lady was indispensable, and who so likely to do it +well as one born in Africa, the daughter of an eminent and honored +missionary, herself familiar with missionary life, and gifted with the +winning manner and the ready helping hand that were so peculiarly +adapted for this work? The case was as clear as possible, and +Livingstone was very happy. + +On his way home from Kuruman, after the engagement, he writes to her +cheerily from Motito, on 1st August, 1844, chiefly about the household +they were soon to get up; asking her to get her father to order some +necessary articles, and to write to Colesberg about the marriage-license +(and if he did not get it, they would license themselves!), and +concluding thus: + + "And now, my dearest, farewell. May God bless you! Let your + affection be towards Him much more than towards me; and, kept + by his mighty power and grace, I hope I shall never give you + cause to regret that you have given me a part. Whatever + friendship we feel towards each other, let us always look to + Jesus as our common friend and guide, and may He shield you + with his everlasting arms from every evil!" + +Next month he writes from Mabotsa with full accounts of the progress of +their house, of which he was both architect and builder: + + "_Mabotsa, 12th September_, 1844.--I must tell you of the + progress I have made in architecture. The walls are nearly + finished, although the dimensions are 52 feet by 20 outside, + or almost the same size as the house in which you now reside. + I began with stone, but when it was breast-high, I was + obliged to desist from my purpose to build it entirely of + that material by an accident, which, slight as it was, put a + stop to my operations in that line. A stone failing was + stupidly, or rather instinctively, caught by me in its fall + by the left hand, and it nearly broke my arm over again. It + swelled up again, and I fevered so much I was glad of a fire, + although the weather was quite warm. I expected bursting and + discharge, but Baba bound it up nicely, and a few days' rest + put all to rights. I then commenced my architecture, and six + days have brought the walls up a little more than six feet. + + "The walls will be finished long before you receive this, and + I suppose the roof too, but I have still the wood of the roof + to seek. It is not, however, far off; and as Mr. E. and I, + with the Kurumanites, got on the roof of the school in a + week, I hope this will not be more than a fortnight or three + weeks. Baba has been most useful to me in making door and + window frames; indeed, if he had not turned out I should not + have been advanced so far as I am. Mr. E.'s finger is the + cause in part of my having no aid from him, but all will come + right at last. It is pretty hard work, and almost enough to + drive love out of my head, but it is not situated there; it + is in my heart, and won't come out unless you behave so as to + quench it!... + + "You must try and get a maid of some sort to come with + although it is only old Moyimang; you can't go without some + one, and a Makhatla can't be had for either love or money.... + + "You must excuse soiled paper, my hands won't wash clean + after dabbling mud all day. And although the above does not + contain evidence of it, you are as dear to me as ever, and + will be as long as our lives are spared.--I am still your + most affectionate + + "D. LIVINGSTON." + +A few weeks later he writes: + + "As I am favored with another opportunity to Kuruman, I + gladly embrace it, and wish I could embrace you at the same + time; but as I cannot, I must do the next best to it, and + while I give you the good news that our work is making + progress, and of course the time of our separation becoming + beautifully less, I am happy in the hope that, by the + messenger who now goes, I shall receive the good news that + you are well and happy, and remembering me with some of that + affection which we bear to each other.... All goes on pretty + well here; the school is sometimes well, sometimes ill + attended. I begin to like it, and I once believed I could + never have any pleasure in such employment. I had a great + objection to school-keeping, but I find in that as in almost + everything else I set myself to as a matter of duty, I soon + became enamored of it. A boy came three times last week, and + on the third time could act as monitor to the rest through a + great portion of the alphabet. He is a real Mokhatla, but I + have lost sight of him again. If I get them on a little, I + shall translate some of your infant-school hymns into + Sichuana rhyme, and you may yet, if you have time, teach them + the tunes to them. I, poor mortal, am as mute as a fish in + regard to singing, and Mr. Englis says I have not a bit of + imagination. Mebalwe teaches them the alphabet in the 'auld + lang syne' tune sometimes, and I heard it sung by some youths + in the gardens yesterday--a great improvement over their old + see-saw tunes indeed. Sometimes we have twenty, sometimes + two, sometimes none at all. + + "Give my love to A., and tell her to be sure to keep my + lecture warm. She must not be vexed with herself, that she + was not more frank to me. If she is now pleased, all is + right. I have sisters, and know all of you have your + failings, but I won't love you less for these. And to mother, + too, give my kindest salutation. I suppose I shall get a + lecture from her, too, about the largeness of the house. If + there are too many windows, she can just let me know. I could + build them all up in two days, and let the light come down + the chimney, if that would please. I'll do anything for + peace, except fighting for it. And now I must again, my dear, + dear Mary, bid you good-bye. Accept my expressions as + literally true when I say, I am your most affectionate and + still confiding lover, + + "D. LIVINGSTON." + +In due time the marriage was solemnized, and Livingstone brought his +wife to Mabotsa. Here they went vigorously to work, Mrs. Livingstone +with her infant-school, and her husband with all the varied agencies, +medical, educational, and pastoral, which his active spirit could bring +to bear upon the people. They were a very superstitious race, and, among +other things, had great faith in rain-making. Livingstone had a famous +encounter with one of their rain-makers, the effect of which, was that +the pretender was wholly nonplused; but instead of being convinced of +the absurdity of their belief, the people were rather disposed to think +that the missionaries did not want them to get rain. Some of them were +workers in iron, who carried their superstitious notions into that +department of life, too, believing that the iron could be smelted only +by the power of medicines, and that those who had not the proper +medicine need not attempt the work. In the hope of breaking down these +absurdities, Livingstone planned a course of popular lectures on the +works of God in creation and providence, to be carried out in the +following way: + + "I intend to commence with the goodness-of God in giving iron + ore, by giving, if I can, a general knowledge of the + simplicity of the substance, and endeavoring to disabuse + their minds of the idea which prevents them, in general, from + reaping the benefit of that mineral which abounds in their + country. I intend, also, to pay more attention to the + children of the few believers we have with us as a class, for + whom, as baptized ones, we are bound especially to care. May + the Lord enable me to fulfill my resolutions! I have now the + happy prospect before me of real missionary work. All that + has preceded has been preparatory." + +All this time Livingstone had been cherishing his plan of a training +seminary for native agents. He had written a paper and brought the +matter before the missionaries, but without success. Some opposed the +scheme fairly, as being premature, while some insinuated that his object +was to stand well with the Directors, and get himself made Professor. +This last objection induced him to withdraw his proposal. He saw that in +his mode of prosecuting the matter he had not been very knowing; it +would have been better to get some of the older brethren to adopt it. He +feared that his zeal had injured the cause he desired to benefit, and in +writing to his friend Watt, he said that for months he felt bitter +grief, and could never think of the subject without a pang[23]. + +[Footnote 23: Dr. Moffat favored the scheme of a training seminary, and +when he came home afterward, helped to raise a large sum of money for +the purpose. He was strongly of opinion that the institution should be +built at Sechéle's; but, contrary to his view, and that of Livingstone, +it has been placed at Kuruman.] + +A second time he brought forward his proposal, but again without +success. Was he then to be beaten? Far from it. He would change his +tactics, however. He would first set himself to show what could be done +by native efforts; he would travel about, wherever he found a road, and +after inquiries, settle native agents far and wide. The plan had only to +be tried, under God's blessing, to succeed. Here again we trace the +Providence that shaped his career. Had his wishes been carried into +effect, he might have spent his life training native agents, and doing +undoubtedly a noble work: but he would not have traversed Africa; he +would not have given its death-blow to African slavery; he would not +have closed the open sore of the world, nor rolled away the great +obstacle to the evangelization of the Continent. + +Some glimpses of his Mabotsa life may be got from a letter to his mother +(14th May, 1845). Usually his letters for home were meant for the whole +family and addressed accordingly; but with a delicacy of feeling, which +many will appreciate, he wrote separately to his mother after a little +experience of married life: + + "I often think of you, and perhaps more frequently since I + got married than before. Only yesterday I said to my wife, + when I thought of the nice clean bed I enjoy now, 'You put me + in mind of my mother; she was always particular about our + beds and linen. I had had rough times of it before.'... + + "I cannot perceive that the attentions paid to my + father-in-law at home have spoiled him. He is, of course, not + the same man he formerly must have been, for he now knows the + standing he has among the friends of Christ at home. But the + plaudits he received have had a bad effect, and tho' not on + _his_ mind, yet on that of his fellow-laborers. You, perhaps, + cannot understand this, but so it is. If one man is praised, + others think this is more than is deserved, and that they, + too ('others,' they say, while they mean themselves), ought + to have a share. Perhaps you were gratified to see my letters + quoted in the _Chronicle_. In some minds they produced bitter + envy, and if it were in my power, I should prevent the + publication of any in future. But all is in the Lord's hands; + on Him I cast my care. His testimony I receive as it + stands--He careth for us. Yes, He does; for He says it, who + is every way worthy of credit. He will give what is good for + me. He will see to it that all things work together for good. + Do thou for me, O Lord God Almighty! May his blessing rest on + you, my dear mother.... + + "I received the box from Mr. D. The clothes are all too wide + by four inches at least. Does he think that aldermen grow in + Africa? Mr. N., too, fell into the same fault, but he will be + pleased to know his boots will be worn by a much better + man--Mr. Moffat. I am not an atom thicker than when you + saw me.... + + "Respecting the mission here, we can say nothing. The people + have not the smallest love to the gospel of Jesus. They hate + and fear it, as a revolutionary spirit is disliked by the old + Tories. It appears to them as that which, if not carefully + guarded against, will seduce them, and destroy their + much-loved domestic institutions. No pro-slavery man in the + Southern States dreads more the abolition principles than do + the Bakhatla the innovations of the Word of God. Nothing but + power Divine can work the mighty change." + +Unhappily Mr. and Mrs. Livingstone's residence at Mabotsa was embittered +by a painful collision with the missionary who had taken part in rearing +the station. Livingstone was accused of acting unfairly by him, of +assuming to himself more than his due, and attempts were made to +discredit him, both among the missionaries and the Directors. It was a +very painful ordeal, and Livingstone felt it keenly. He held the +accusation to be unjust, as most people will hold it to have been who +know that one of the charges against him was that he was a +"non-entity"! A tone of indignation pervades his letters:--that after +having borne the heat and burden of the day, he should be accused of +claiming for himself the credit due to one who had done so little in +comparison. But the noble spirit of Livingstone rose to the occasion. +Rather than have any scandal before the heathen, he would give up his +house and garden at Mabotsa, with all the toil and money they had cost +him, go with his young bride to some other place, and begin anew the +toil of house and school building, and gathering the people around him. +His colleague was so struck with his generosity that he said had he +known his intention he never would have spoken a word against him. +Livingstone had spent all his money, and out of a salary of a hundred +pounds it was not easy to build a house every other year. But he stuck +to his resolution. Parting with his garden evidently cost him a pang, +especially when he thought of the tasteless hands into which it was to +fall. "I like a garden," he wrote, "but paradise will make amends for +all our privations and sorrows here." Self-denial was a firmly +established habit with him; and the passion of "moving on" was warm in +his blood. Mabotsa did not thrive after Livingstone left it, but the +brother with whom he had the difference lived to manifest a very +different spirit. + +In some of his journeys, Livingstone had come into close contact with +the tribe of the Bakwains, which, on the murder of their chief, some +time before, had been divided into two, one part under Bubi, already +referred to, and the other under Sechéle, son of the murdered chief, +also already introduced. Both of these chiefs had shown much regard for +Livingstone, and on the death of Bubi, Sechéle and his people indicated +a strong wish that a missionary should reside among them. On leaving +Mabotsa, Livingstone transferred his services to this tribe. The name of +the pew station was Chonuane; it was situated some forty miles from +Mabotsa, and in 1846 it became the centre of Livingstone's operations +among the Bakwains and their chief Sechéle. + +Livingstone had been disappointed with the result of his work among the +Bakhatlas. No doubt much good had been done; he had prevented several +wars; but where were the conversions[24]? On leaving he found that he +had made more impressions on them than he had supposed. They were most +unwilling to lose him, offered to do anything in their power for his +comfort, and even when his oxen were "inspanned" and he was on the point +of moving, they offered to build a new house without expense to him in +some other place, if only he would not leave them. In a financial point +of view, the removal to Chonuane was a serious undertaking. He had to +apply to the Directors at home for a building-grant--only thirty pounds, +but there were not wanting objectors even to that small sum. It was only +in self-vindication that he was constrained to tell of the hardships +which his family had borne;-- + +[Footnote 24: When some of Livingstone's "new light" friends heard that +there were so few conversions, they seem to have thought that he was too +much of an old Calvinist, and wrote to him to preach that the remedy was +as extensive as the disease--Christ loved _you_, and gave himself for +_you_. "You may think me heretical," replied he, "but we don't need to +make the extent of the atonement the main topic of our preaching. We +preach to men who don't know but they are beasts, who have no idea of +God as a personal agent, or of sin as evil, otherwise than as an offense +against each other, which may or may not be punished by the party +offended.... Their consciences are seared, and moral perceptions +blunted. Their memories retain scarcely anything we teach them, and so +low have they sunk that the plainest text in the whole Bible cannot be +understood by them."] + + "We endured for a long while, using a wretched infusion of + native corn for coffee, but when our corn was done, we were + fairly obliged to go to Kuruman for supplies. I can bear what + other Europeans would consider hunger and thirst without any + inconvenience, but when we arrived, to hear the old woman who + had seen my wife depart about two years before, exclaiming + before the door, 'Bless me! how lean she is! Has he starved + her? Is there no food in the country to which she has been?' + was more than I could well bear." + +From the first, Sechéle showed an intelligent interest in Livingstone's +preaching. He became a great reader especially of the Bible, and +lamented very bitterly that he had got involved in heathen customs, and +now did not know what to do with his wives. At one time he expressed +himself quite willing to convert all his people to Christianity by the +litupa, _i.e._ whips of rhinoceros hide; but when he came to understand +better, he lamented that while he could make his people do anything else +he liked, he could not get one of them to believe. He began family +worship, and Livingstone was surprised to hear how well he conducted +prayer in his own simple and beautiful style. When he was baptized, +after a profession of three years, he sent away his superfluous wives in +a kindly and generous way; but all their connections became active and +bitter enemies of the gospel, and the conversion of Sechéle, instead of +increasing the congregation, reduced it so much that sometimes the chief +and his family were almost the only persons present. A bell-man of a +somewhat peculiar order was once employed to collect the people for +service--a tall gaunt fellow. "Up he jumped on a sort of platform, and +shouted at the top of his voice, 'Knock that woman down over there. +Strike her, she is putting on her pot! Do you see that one hiding +herself? Give her a good blow. There she is--see, see, knock her down!' +All the women ran to the place of meeting in no time, for each thought +herself meant. But, though a most efficient bell-man, we did not like to +employ him." + +While residing at Chonuane, Livingstone performed two journeys eastward, +in order to attempt the removal of certain obstacles to the +establishment of at least one of his native teachers in that direction. +This brought him into connection with the Dutch Boers of the Cashan +mountains, otherwise called Magaliesberg. The Boers were emigrants from +the Cape, who had been dissatisfied with the British rule, and +especially with the emancipation of their Hottentot slaves, and had +created for themselves a republic in the north (the Transvaal), in order +that they might pursue, unmolested, the proper treatment of the blacks. +"It is almost needless to add," says Livingstone, "that proper treatment +has always contained in it the essential element of slavery, viz., +compulsory unpaid labor." The Boers had effected the expulsion of +Mosilikatse, a savage Zulu warrior, and in return for this service they +considered themselves sole masters of the soil. While still engaged in +the erection of his dwelling-house at Chonuane, Livingstone received +notes from the Commandant and Council of the emigrants, requesting an +explanation of his intentions, and an intimation that they had resolved +to come and deprive Sechéle of his fire-arms. About the same time he +received several very friendly messages and presents from Mokhatla, +chief of a large section of the Bakhatla, who lived about four days +eastward of his station, and had once, while Livingstone was absent, +paid a visit to Chonuane, and expressed satisfaction with the idea of +obtaining Paul, a native convert, as his teacher. As soon as his house +was habitable, Livingstone proceeded to the eastward, to visit Mokhatla, +and to confer with the Boers. + +On his way to Mokhatla he was surprised at the unusual density of the +population, giving him the opportunity of preaching the gospel at least +once every day. The chief, Mokhatla, whose people were quiet and +industrious, was eager to get a missionary, but said that an arrangement +must be made with the Dutch commandant. This involved some delay. + +Livingstone then returned to Chonuane, finished the erection of a school +there, and setting systematic instruction fairly in operation under Paul +and his son, Isaac, again went eastward, accompanied this time by Mrs. +Livingstone and their infant son, Robert Moffat[25]--all the three being +in indifferent health. Mebalwe, the catechist, was also with them. +Taking a different route, they came on another Bakhatla tribe, whose +country abounded in metallic ores, and who, besides cultivating their +fields, span cotton, smelted iron, copper, and tin, made an alloy of tin +and copper, and manufactured ornaments. Livingstone had constantly an +eye to the industries and commercial capabilities of the countries he +passed through. Social reform was certainly much needed here; for the +chief, though not twenty years of age, had already forty-eight wives and +twenty children. They heard of another tribe, said to excel all others +in manufacturing skill, and having the honorable distinction, "they had +never been known to kill any one." This lily among thorns they were +unable to visit. Three tribes of Bakhalaka whom they did visit were at +continual war. + +[Footnote 25: He wrote to his father that he would have called him Neil, +if it had not been such an ugly name, and all the people would have +called him Ra-Neeley!] + +Deriving his information from the Boers themselves, Livingstone learned +that they had taken possession of nearly all the fountains, so that the +natives lived in the country only by sufferance. The chiefs were +compelled to furnish the emigrants with as much free labor as they +required. This was in return for the privilege of living in the country +of the Boers! The absence of law left the natives open to innumerable +wrongs which the better-disposed of the emigrants lamented, but could +not prevent. Livingstone found that the forcible seizure of cattle was a +common occurrence, but another custom was even worse. When at war, the +Dutch forced natives to assist them, and sent them before them into +battle, to encounter the battle-axes of their opponents, while the Dutch +fired in safety at their enemies over the heads of their native allies. +Of course all the disasters of the war fell on the natives; the Dutch +had only the glory and the spoil. Such treatment of the natives burned +into the very soul of Livingstone. He was specially distressed at the +purpose expressed to pick a quarrel with Sechéle, for whatever the +emigrants might say of other tribes, they could not but admit that the +Bechuanas had been always an honest and peaceable people. + +When Livingstone met the Dutch commandant he received favorably his +proposal of a native missionary, but another obstacle arose. Near the +proposed station lived a Dutch emigrant who had shown himself the +inveterate enemy of missions. He had not scrupled to say that the proper +way to treat any native missionary was to kill him. Livingstone was +unwilling to plant Mebalwe beside so bloodthirsty a +neighbor**(spelling?), and as he had not time to, go to him, and try to +bring him to a better mind, and there was plenty of work to be done at +the station, they all returned to Chonuane. + +"We have now," says Livingstone (March, 1847), "been a little more than +a year with the Bakwains. No conversions have taken place, but real +progress has been made." He adverts to the way in which the Sabbath was +observed, no work being done by the natives in the gardens that day, and +hunting being suspended. Their superstitious belief in rain-maiking had +got a blow. There was a real desire for knowledge, though hindered by +the prevailing famine caused by the want of rain. There was also a +general impression among the people that the missionaries were their +friends. But civilization apart from conversion would be but a poor +recompense for their labor. + +But, whatever success might attend their work among the Bakwains, +Livingstone's soul was soaring beyond them: + + "I am more and more convinced," he writes to the Directors, + "that in order to the permanent settlement of the gospel in + any part, the natives must be taught to relinquish their + reliance on Europe. An onward movement ought to be made + whether men will hear or whether they will forbear. I tell my + Bakwains that if spared ten years, I shall move on to regions + beyond them. If our missions would move onward now to those + regions I have lately visited, they would in all probability + prevent the natives settling into that state of determined + hatred to all Europeans which I fear now characterizes most + of the Caffres near the Colony. If natives are not elevated + by contact with Europeans, they are sure to be deteriorated. + It is with pain I have observed that all the tribes I have + lately seen are undergoing the latter process. The country + is fine. It abounds in streams, and has many considerable + rivers. The Boers hate missionaries, but by a kind and + prudent course of conduct one can easily manage them. + Medicines are eagerly received, and I intend to procure a + supply of Dutch tracts for distribution among them. The + natives who have been in subjection to Mosilikatse place + unbounded confidence in missionaries." + +In his letters to friends at home, whatever topic Livingstone may touch, +we see evidence of one over-mastering idea--the vastness of Africa, and +the duty of beginning a new area of enterprise to reach its people. +Among his friends the Scotch Congregationalists, there had been a keen +controversy on some points of Calvinism. Livingstone did not like it; he +was not a high Calvinist theoretically, yet he could not accept the new +views, "from a secret feeling of being absolutely at the divine disposal +as a sinner;" but these were theoretical questions, and with dark Africa +around him, he did not see why the brethren at home should split on +them. Missionary influence in South Africa was directed in a wrong +channel. There were three times too many missionaries in the colony, and +vast regions beyond lay untouched. He wrote to Mr. Watt: "If you meet me +down in the colony before eight years are expired, you may shoot me." + +Of his employments and studies he gives the following account: "I get +the _Evangelical, Scottish Congregational, Eclectic, Lancet, British and +Foreign Medical Review_. I can read in journeying, but little at home. +Building, gardening, cobbling, doctoring, tinkering, carpentering, +gun-mending, farriering, wagon-mending, preaching, schooling, lecturing +on physics according to my means, beside a chair in divinity to a class +of three, fill up my time." + +With all his other work, he was still enthusiastic in science. "I have +written Professor Buckland," he says to Mr. Watt (May, 1845), "and send +him specimens too, but have not received any answer. I have a great lot +by me now. I don't know whether he received my letter or not. Could you +ascertain? I am trying to procure specimens of the entire geology of +this region, and will try and make a sort of chart. I am taking double +specimens now, so that if one part is lost, I can send another. The +great difficulty is transmission. I sent a dissertation on the decrease +of water in Africa. Call on Professor Owen and ask if he wants anything +in the four jars I still possess, of either rhinoceros, camelopard, +etc., etc. If he wants these, or anything else these jars will hold, he +must send me more jars and spirits of wine." + +He afterward heard of the fate of one of the boxes of specimens he had +sent home--that which contained the fossils of Bootchap. It was lost on +the railway after reaching England, in custody of a friend. "The thief +thought the box contained bullion, no doubt. You may think of one of the +faces in _Punch_ as that of the scoundrel, when he found in the box a +lot of 'chuckystanes.'" He had got many nocturnal-feeding, animals, but +the heat made it very difficult to preserve them. Many valuable seeds he +had sent to Calcutta, with the nuts of the desert, but had heard nothing +of them. He had lately got knowledge of a root to which the same virtues +were attached as to ergot of rye. He tells his friend about the tsetse, +the fever, the north wind, and other African notabilia. These and many +other interesting points of information are followed up by the +significant question-- + + "Who will penetrate through Africa?" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +Third Station--Kolobeng. + +A.D. 1847-1852. + +Want of rain at Chonuane--Removal to Kolobeng--House-building and public +works--Hopeful prospects--Letters to Mr. Watt, his sister, and Dr. +Bennett--The church at Kolobeng--Pure communion--Conversion of +Sechéle--Letter from his brother Charles--His history--Livingstone's +relations with the Boers--He cannot get native teachers planted in the +East--Resolves to explore northwards--Extracts from Journal--Scarcity of +water--Wild animals and other risks--Custom-house robberies and +annoyances--Visit from Secretary of London Missionary Society--Manifold +employments of Livingstone--Studies in Sichuana--His reflection on this +period of his life while detained at Manyuema in 1870. + + +The residence of the Livingstones at Chonuane was of short continuance. +The want of rain was fatal to agriculture, and about equally fatal to +the mission. It was necessary to remove to a neighborhood where water +could be obtained. The new locality chosen was on the banks of the river +Kolobeng, about forty miles distant from Chonuane. In a letter to the +Royal Geographical Society, his early and warm friend and +fellow-traveler, Mr. Oswell, thus describes Kolobeng: "The town stands +in naked 'deformity on the side of and under a ridge of red ironstone; +the mission-house on a little rocky eminence over the river Kolobeng." +Livingstone had pointed out to the chief that the only feasible way of +watering the gardens was to select some good never-failing river, make a +canal, and irrigate the adjacent lands. The wonderful influence which he +had acquired was apparent from the fact that the very morning after he +told them of his intention to move to the Kolobeng, the whole tribe was +in motion for the "flitting." Livingstone had to set to work at his old +business--building a house--the third which he had reared with his own +hands. It was a mere hut--for a permanent house he had to wait a year. +The natives, of course, had their huts to rear and their gardens to +prepare; but, besides this, Livingstone set them to public works. For +irrigating their gardens, a dam had to be dug and a water-course scooped +out; sixty-five of the younger men dug the dam, and forty of the older +made the water-course. The erection of the school was undertaken by the +chief Sechéle: "I desire," he said, "to build a house for God, the +defender of my town, and that you be at no expense for it whatever." Two +hundred of his people were employed in this work. + +Livingstone had hardly had time to forget his building troubles at +Mabotsa and Chonuane, when he began this new enterprise. But he was in +much better spirits, much more hopeful than he had been. Writing to Mr. +Watt on 13th February, 1848, he says:-- + + "All our meetings are good compared to those we had at + Mabotsa, and some of them admit of no comparison whatever. + Ever since we moved, we have been incessantly engaged in + manual labor. We have endeavored, as far as possible, to + carry on systematic instruction at the same time, but have + felt it very hard pressure on our energies.... Our daily + labors are in the following sort of order: + + "We get up as soon as we can, generally with the sun in + summer, then have family worship, breakfast, and school; and + as soon as these are over we begin the manual operations + needed, sowing, ploughing, smithy work, and every other sort + of work by turns as required. My better-half is employed all + the morning in culinary or other work; and feeling pretty + well tired by dinner-time, we take about two hours' rest + then; but more frequently, without the respite I try to + secure for myself, she goes off to hold infant-school, and + this, I am happy to say, is very popular with the youngsters. + She sometimes has eighty, but the average may be sixty. My + manual labors are continued till about five o'clock. I then + go into the town to give lessons and talk to any one who may + be disposed for it. As soon as the cows are milked we have a + meeting, and this is followed by a prayer-meeting in Sechéles + house, which brings me home about half-past eight, and + generally tired enough, too fatigued to think of any mental + exertion. I do not enumerate these duties by way of telling + how much we do, but to let you know a cause of sorrow I have + that so little of my time is devoted to real missionary + work." + +First there was a temporary house to be built, then a permanent one, +and Livingstone was not exempted from the casualties of mechanics. Once +he found himself dangling from a beam by his weak arm. Another time he +had a fall from the roof. A third time he cut himself severely with an +axe. Working on the roof in the sun, his lips got all scabbed and +broken. If he mentions such things to Dr. Bennett or other friend, it is +either in the way of illustrating some medical point or to explain how +he had never found time to take the latitude of his station till he was +stopped working by one of these accidents. At best it was weary work. +"Two days ago," he writes to his sister Janet (5th July, 1848), "we +entered our new house. What a mercy to be in a house again! A year in a +little hut through which the wind blew our candles into glorious icicles +(as a poet would say) by night, and in which crowds of flies continually +settled on the eyes of our poor little brats by day, makes us value our +present castle. Oh, Janet, know thou, if thou art given to building +castles in the air, that that is easy work to erecting cottages on the +ground." He could not quite forget that it was unfair treatment that had +driven him from Mabotsa, and involved him in these labors. "I often +think," he writes to Dr. Bennett, "I have forgiven, as I hope to be +forgiven; but the remembrance of slander often comes boiling up, +although I hate to think of it. You must remember me in your prayers, +that more of the spirit of Christ may be imparted to me. All my plans of +mental culture have been broken through by manual labor. I shall soon, +however, be obliged to give my son and daughter a jog along the path to +learning.... Your family increases, very fast, and I fear we follow in +your wake. I cannot realize the idea of your sitting with four around +you, and I can scarcely believe myself to be so far advanced as to be +the father of two." + +Livingstone never expected the work of real Christianity to advance +rapidly among the Bakwains. They were a slow people and took long to +move. But it was not his desire to have a large church of nominal +adherents. "Nothing," he writes, "will induce me to form an impure +church. Fifty added to the church sounds fine at home, but if only five +of these are genuine, what will it profit in the Great Day? I have felt +more than ever lately that the great object of our exertions ought to be +conversion." There was no subject on which Livingstone had stronger +feelings than on purity of communion. For two whole years he allowed no +dispensation of the Lord's Supper, because he did not deem the +professing Christians to be living consistently. Here was a crowning +proof of his hatred of all sham and false pretense, and his intense love +of solid, thorough, finished work. + +Hardly were things begun to be settled at Kolobeng, when, by way of +relaxation, Livingstone (January, 1848) again moved eastward. He would +have gone sooner, but "a mad sort of Scotchman[26]," having wandered +past them shooting elephants, and lost all his cattle by the bite of the +tsetse-fly, Livingstone had to go to his help; and moreover the dam, +having burst, required to be repaired. Sechéle set out to accompany him, +and intended to go with him the whole way; but some friends having come +to visit his tribe, he had to return, or at least did return, leaving +Livingstone four gallons of porridge, and two servants to act in his +stead. "He is about the only individual," says Livingstone, "who +possesses distinct, consistent views on the subject of our mission. He +is bound by his wives: has a curious idea--would like to go to another +country for three or four years in order to study, with the hope that +probably his wives would have married others in the meantime. He would +then return, and be admitted to the Lord's Supper, and teach his people +the knowledge he has acquired, He seems incapable of putting them away. +He feels so attached to them, and indeed we, too, feel much attached to +most of them. They are our best scholars, our constant friends. We +earnestly pray that they, too, may be enlightened by the Spirit of God." + +[Footnote 26: Mr. Gordon Cumming.] + +The prayer regarding Sechéle was answered soon. Reviewing the year 1844 +in a letter to the Directors, Livingstone says: "An event that excited +more open enmity than any other was the profession of faith and +subsequent reception of the chief into the church." + +During the first years at Kolobeng he received a long letter from his +younger brother Charles, then in the United States, requesting him to +use his influence with the London Missionary Society that he might be +sent as a missionary to China. In writing to the Directors about his +brother, in reply to this request, Livingstone disclaimed all idea of +influencing them except in so far as he might be able to tell them +facts. His brother's history was very interesting. In 1839, when David +Livingstone was in England, Charles became earnest about religion, +influenced partly by the thought that as his brother, to whom he was +most warmly attached, was going abroad, he might never see him again in +this world, and therefore he would prepare to meet him in the next. A +strong desire sprang up in his mind to obtain a liberal education. Not +having the means to get this at home, he was advised by David to go to +America, and endeavor to obtain admission to one of the colleges there +where the students support themselves by manual labor. To help him in +this, David sent him five pounds, which he had just received from the +Society, being the whole of his quarter's allowance in London. On +landing at New York, after selling his box and bed, Charles found his +whole stock of cash to amount to £2, 13s. 6d. Purchasing a loaf and a +piece of cheese as _viaticum_, he started for a college at Oberlin, +seven hundred miles off, where Dr. Finney was President. He contrived to +get to the college without having ever begged. In the third year he +entered on a theological course, with the view of becoming a missionary. +He did not wish, and could never agree, as a missionary, to hold an +appointment from an American Society, on account of the relation of the +American Churches to slavery; therefore he applied to the London +Missionary Society. David had suggested to his father that if Charles +was to be a missionary, he ought to direct his attention to China. +Livingstone's first missionary love had not become cold, and much though +he might have wished to have his brother in Africa, he acted +consistently on his old conviction that there were enough of English +missionaries there, and that China had much more need. + +The Directors declined to appoint Charles Livingstone without a personal +visit, which he could not afford to make. This circumstance led him to +accept a pastorate in New England, where he remained until 1857, when he +came to this country and joined his brother in the Zambesi Expedition. +Afterward he was appointed H. M. Consul at Fernando Po, but being always +delicate, he succumbed to the climate of the country, and died a few +months after his brother, on his way home, in October, 1873. Sir Bartle +Frere, as President of the Royal Geographical Society, paid a deserved +tribute to his affectionate and earnest nature, his consistent Christian +life, and his valuable help to Christian missions and the African cause +generally[27]. + +[Footnote 27: Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, 1874, p. +cxxviii.] + +Livingstone's relations with the Boers did not improve. He has gone so +fully into this subject in his _Missionary Travels_ that a very slight +reference to it is all that is needed here. It was at first very +difficult for him to comprehend how the most flagrant injustice and +inhumanity to the black race could be combined, as he found it to be, +with kindness and general respectability, and even with the profession +of piety. He only came to comprehend this when, after more experience, +he understood the demoralization which the slave-system produces. It was +necessary for the Boers to possess themselves of children for servants, +and believing or fancying that in some tribe an insurrection was +plotting, they would fall on that tribe and bring off a number of the +children. The most foul massacres were justified on the ground that they +were necessary to subdue the troublesome tendencies of the people, and +therefore essential to permanent peace. Livingstone felt keenly that the +Boers who came to live among the Bakwains made no distinction between +them and the Caffres, although the Bechuanas were noted for honesty, and +never attacked either Boers or English. On the principle of elevating +vague rumors into alarming facts, the Boers of the Cashan Mountains, +having heard that Sechéle was possessed of fire-arms (the number of his +muskets was five!) multiplied the number by a hundred, and threatened +him with an invasion. Livingstone, who was accused of supplying these +arms, went to the commandant Krieger, and prevailed upon him to defer +the expedition, but refused point-blank to comply with Krieger's wish +that he should act as a spy on the Bakwains. Threatening messages +continued to be sent to Sechéle, ordering him to surrender himself, and +to prevent English traders from passing through his country, or selling +fire-arms to his people. On one occasion Livingstone was told by Mr. +Potgeiter, a leading Dutchman, that he would attack any tribe that might +receive a native teacher. Livingstone was so thoroughly identified with +the natives that it became the desire of the colonists to get rid of him +and all his belongings, and complaints were made of him to the Colonial +Government as a dangerous person that ought not to be let alone. + +All this made it very clear to Livingstone that his favorite plan of +planting native teachers to the eastward could not be carried into +effect, at least for the present. His disappointment in this was only +another link in the chain of causes that gave to the latter part of his +life so unlooked-for but glorious a destination. It set him to inquire +whether in some other direction he might not find a sphere for planting +native teachers which the jealousy of the Boers prevented in the east. + +Before we set out with him on the northward journeys, to which he was +led partly by the hostility of the Boers in the east, and partly by the +very distressing failure of rain at Kolobeng, a few extracts may be +given from a record of the period entitled "A portion of a Journal lost +in the destruction of Kolobeng (September, 1853) by the Boers of +Pretorius." Livingstone appears to have kept journals from an early +period of his life with characteristic care and neatness; but that +ruthless and most atrocious raid of the Boers, which we shall have to +notice hereafter, deprived him of all them up to that date. The +treatment of his books on that occasion was one of the most exasperating +of his trials. Had they been burned or carried off he would have minded +it less; but it was unspeakably provoking to hear of them lying about +with handfuls of leaves torn out of them, or otherwise mutilated and +destroyed. From the wreck of his journals the only part saved was a few +pages containing notes of some occurrences in 1848-49: + + "_May_ 20, 1848.--Spoke to Sechéle of the evil of trusting in + medicines instead of God. He felt afraid to dispute on the + subject, and said he would give up all medicine if I only + told him to do so. I was gratified to see symptoms of tender + conscience. May God enlighten him! + + "_July 10th_.--Entered new house on 4th curt. A great mercy. + Hope it may be more a house of prayer than any we have yet + inhabited. + + "_Sunday, August_ 6.--Sechéle remained as a spectator at the + celebration of the Lord's Supper, and when we retired he + asked me how he ought to act with reference to his + superfluous wives, as he greatly desired to conform to the + will of Christ, be baptized, and observe his ordinances. + Advised him to do according to what he saw written in God's + Book, but to treat them gently, for they had sinned in + ignorance, and if driven away hastily might be lost + eternally. + + "_Sept_. 1.--Much opposition, but none manifested to us as + individuals. Some, however, say it was a pity the lion did + not kill me at Mabotsa. They curse the chief (Sechéle) with + very bitter curses, and these come from the mouths of those + whom Sechéle would formerly have destroyed for a single + disrespectful word. The truth will, by the aid of the Spirit + of God, ultimately prevail. + + "_Oct_. 1.--Sechéle baptized; also Setefano. + + "_Nov_.--Long for rains. Everything languishes during the + intense heat; and successive droughts having only occurred + since the Gospel came to the Bakwains, I fear the effect will + be detrimental. There is abundance of rain all around us. And + yet we, who have our chief at our head in attachment to the + Gospel, receive not a drop. Has Satan power over the course + of the winds and clouds? Feel afraid he will obtain an + advantage over us, but must be resigned entirely to the + Divine will. + + "_Nov_. 27.--O Devil! Prince of the power of the air, art + thou hindering us? Greater is He who is for us than all who + can be against us. I intend to proceed with Paul to + Mokhatla's. He feels much pleased with the prospect of + forming a new station. May God Almighty bless the poor + unworthy effort! Mebalwe's house finished. Preparing woodwork + for Paul's house. + + "_Dec._ 16.--Passed by invitation to Hendrick Potgeiter. + Opposed to building a school.... Told him if he hindered the + Gospel the blood of these people would be required at his + hand. He became much excited at this. + + "_Dec._ 17.--Met Dr. Robertson, of Swellendam. Very friendly. + Boers very violently opposed.... Went to Pilanies. Had large + attentive audiences at two villages when on the way home. + Paul and I looked for a ford in a dry river. Found we had got + a she black rhinoceros between us and the wagon, which was + only twenty yards off. She had calved during the night--a + little red beast like a dog. She charged the wagon, split a + spoke and a felloe with her horn, and then left. Paul and I + jumped into a rut, as the guns were in the wagon." + +The black rhinoceros is one of the most dangerous of the wild beasts of +Africa, and travelers stand in great awe of it. The courage of Dr. +Livingstone in exposing himself to the risk of such animals on this +missionary tour was none the less that he himself says not a word +regarding it; but such courage was constantly shown by him. The +following instances are given on the authority of Dr. Moffat as samples +of what was habitual to Dr. Livingstone in the performance of his duty. + +In going through a wood, a party of hunters were startled by the +appearance of a black rhinoceros. The furious beast dashed at the wagon, +and drove his horn into the bowels of the driver, inflicting a frightful +wound. A messenger was despatched in the greatest haste for Dr. +Livingstone, whose house was eight or ten miles distant. The messenger +in his eagerness ran the whole way. Livingstone's friends were +horror-struck at the idea of his riding through the wood at night, +exposed to the rhinoceros and other deadly beasts. "No, no; you must not +think of it, Livingstone; it is certain death." Livingstone believed it +was a Christian duty to try to save the poor fellow's life, and he +resolved to go, happen what might. Mounting his horse, he rode to the +scene of the accident. The man had died, and the wagon had left, so that +there was nothing for Livingstone but to return and run the risk of the +forest anew, without even the hope that he might be useful in +saving life. + +Another time, when he and a brother missionary were on a tour a long way +from home, a messenger came to tell his companion that one of his +children was alarmingly ill. It was but natural for him to desire +Livingstone to go back with him. The way lay over a road infested by +lions. Livingstone's life would be in danger; moreover, as we have seen, +he was intensely desirous to examine the fossil bones at the place. But +when his friend expressed the desire for him to go, he went without +hesitation. His firm belief in Providence sustained him in these as in +so many other dangers. + +Medical practice was certainly not made easier by what happened to some +of his packages from England. Writing to his father-in-law, Mr. Moffat +(18th January, 1849), he says: + + "Most of our boxes which come to us from England are opened, + and usually lightened of their contents. You will perhaps + remember one in which Sechéle's cloak was. It contained, on + leaving Glasgow, besides the articles which came here, a + parcel of surgical instruments which I ordered, and of course + paid for. One of these was a valuable cupping apparatus. The + value at which the instruments were purchased for me was £4, + 12s., their real value much more. + + "The box which you kindly packed for us and despatched to + Glasgow has, we hear, been gutted by the Custom-House + thieves, and only a very few plain karosses left in it. When + we see a box which has been opened we have not half the + pleasure which we otherwise should in unpacking it.... Can + you give me any information how these annoyances may be + prevented? Or must we submit to it as one of the crooked + things of this life, which Solomon says cannot be made + straight?" + +Not only in these scenes of active missionary labor, but everywhere +else, Livingstone was in the habit of preaching to the natives, and +conversing seriously with them on religion, his favorite topics being +the love of Christ, the Fatherhood of God, the resurrection, and the +last judgment. His preaching to them, in Dr. Moffat's judgment, was +highly effective. It was simple, scriptural, conversational, went +straight to the point, was well fitted to arrest the attention, and +remarkably adapted to the capacity of the people. To his father he +writes (5th July, 1848): "For a long time I felt much depressed after +preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ to apparently insensible +hearts; but now I like to dwell on the love of the great Mediator, for +it always warms my own heart, and I know that the gospel is the power of +God--the great means which He employs for the regeneration of our +ruined world." + +In the beginning of 1849 Livingstone made the first of a series of +journeys to the north, in the hope of planting native missionaries among +the people. Not to interrupt the continuous account of these journeys, +we may advert here to a visit paid to him at Kolobeng, on his return +from the first of them, in the end of the year, by Mr. Freeman of the +London Missionary Society, who was at that time visiting the African +stations. Mr. Freeman, to Livingstone's regret, was in favor of keeping +up all Colonial stations, because the London Society alone paid +attention to the black population. He was not much in sympathy with +Livingstone. + + "Mr. Freeman," he writes confidentially to Mr. Watt, "gave us + no hope to expect any new field to be taken up. 'Expenditure + to be reduced in Africa' was the word, when I proposed the + new region beyond us, and there is nobody willing to go + except Mr. Moffat and myself. Six hundred miles additional + land-carriage, mosquitoes in myriads, sparrows by the + million, an epidemic frequently fatal, don't look well in a + picture. I am 270 miles from Kuruman; land-carriage for all + that we use makes a fearful inroad into the £100 of salary, + and then 600 miles beyond this makes one think unutterable + things, for nobody likes to call for more salary. I think the + Indian salary ought to be given to those who go into the + tropics. I have a very strong desire to go and reduce the new + language to writing, but I cannot perform impossibilities. I + don't think it quite fair for the Churches to expect their + messenger to live, as if he were the Prodigal Son, on the + husks that the swine do eat, but I should be ashamed to say + so to any one but yourself." + +"I cannot perform impossibilities," said Livingstone; but few men could +come so near doing it. His activity of mind and body at this outskirt of +civilization was wonderful. A Jack-of-all-trades, he is building houses +and schools, cultivating gardens, scheming in every manner of way how to +get water, which in the remarkable drought of the season becomes scarcer +and scarcer; as a missionary he is holding meetings every other night, +preaching on Sundays, and taking such other opportunities as he can find +to gain the people to Christ; as a medical man he is dealing with the +more difficult cases of disease, those which baffle the native doctors; +as a man of science he is taking observations, collecting specimens, +thinking out geographical, geological, meteorological, and other +problems bearing on the structure and condition of the continent; as a +missionary statesman he is planning how the actual force might be +disposed of to most advantage, and is looking round in this direction +and in that, over hundreds of miles, for openings for native agents; and +to promote these objects he is writing long letters to the Directors, to +the _Missionary Chronicle_ to the _British Banner_, to private friends, +to any one likely to take an interest in his plans. + +But this does not exhaust his labors. He is deeply interested in +philological studies, and is writing on the Sichuana language: + + "I have been hatching a grammar of the Sichuana language," he + writes to Mr. Watt. "It is different in structure from any + other language, except the ancient Egyptian. Most of the + changes are effected by means of prefixes or affixes, the + radical remaining unchanged. Attempts have been made to form + grammars, but all have gone on the principle of establishing + a resemblance between Sichuana, Latin, and Greek; mine is on + the principle of analysing the language without reference to + any others. Grammatical terms are only used when I cannot + express my meaning in any other way. The analysis renders the + whole language very simple, and I believe the principle + elicited extends to most of the languages between this and + Egypt. I wish to know whether I could get 20 or 30 copies + printed for private distribution at an expense not beyond my + means. It would be a mere tract, and about the size of this + letter when folded, 40 or 50 pages perhaps[28]. Will you + ascertain the cost, and tell me whether, in the event of my + continuing hot on the subject half a year hence, you would be + the corrector of the press?... Will you examine catalogues to + find whether there is any dictionary of ancient Egyptian + within my means, so that I might purchase and compare? I + should not grudge two or three pounds for it. Professor Vater + has written on it, but I do not know what dictionary he + consulted. One Tattam has written a Coptic grammar; perhaps + that has a vocabulary, and might serve my purpose. I see + Tattam advertised by John Russell Smith, 4 Old Compton + Street, Soho, London,--'Tattam (H.), _Lexicon + Egyptiaco-Latinum e veteribus linguae Egyptiacae monumentis; + _ thick 8vo, bds., 10s., Oxf., 1835.' Will you purchase the + above for me?" + +[Footnote 28: This gives a correct idea of the length of many of his +letters.] + +At Mabotsa and Chonuane the Livingstones had spent but a little time; +Kolobeng may be said to have been the only permanent home they ever had. +During these years several of their children were born, and it was the +only considerable period of their lives when both had their children +about them. Looking back afterward on this period, and its manifold +occupations, whilst detained in Manyuema, in the year 1870, Dr. +Livingstone wrote the following striking words: + + +The heart that felt this one regret in looking back to this busy time +must have been true indeed to the instincts of a parent. But +Livingstone's case was no exception to that mysterious law of our life +in this world, by which, in so many things, we learn how to correct our +errors only after the opportunity is gone. Of all the crooks in his lot, +that which gave him so short an opportunity of securing the affections +and moulding the character of his children seems to have been the +hardest to bear. His long detention at Manyuema appears, as we shall see +hereafter, to have been spent by him in learning more completely the +lesson of submission to the will of God; and the hard trial of +separation from his family, entailing on them what seemed irreparable +loss, was among the last of his sorrows over which he was able to write +the words with which he closes the account of his wife's death in the +_Zambesi and its Tributaries_,--"FIAT, DOMINE, VOLUNTUS TUA!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +KOLOBENG _continued_--LAKE 'NGAMI. + +A.D. 1849-1852. + +Kolobeng failing through drought--Sebituane's country and the Lake +'Ngami--Livingstone sets out with Messrs. Oswell and Murray--Rivers +Zouga and Tamanak'le--Old ideas of the interior +revolutionized--Enthusiasm of Livingstone--Discovers Lake +'Ngami--Obliged to return--Prize from Royal Geographical Society--Second +expedition to the lake, with wife and children--Children attacked by +fever--Again obliged to return--Conviction as to healthier spot +beyond--Idea of finding passage to sea either west or east--Birth and +death of a child--Family visits Kuruman--Third expedition, again with +family--He hopes to find a new locality--Perils of the journey--He +reaches Sebituane--The chiefs illness and death--Distress of +Livingstone--Mr. Oswell and he go on the Linyanti--Discovery of the +Upper Zambesi--No locality found for settlement--More extended journey +necessary--He returns--Birth of Oswald Livingstone--Crisis in +Livingstone's life--His guiding principles--New plans--The Makololo +begin to practice slave-trade--New thoughts about commerce--Letters to +Directors--The Bakwains--_Pros_ and _cons_ of his new plan--His unabated +missionary zeal--He goes with his family to the Cape--His +literary activity. + + +When Sechéle turned back after going so far with Livingstone eastward, +it appeared that his courage had failed him. "Will you go with me +northward?" Livingstone once asked him, and it turned out that he was +desirous to do so. He wished to see Sebituane, a great chief living to +the north of Lake 'Ngami, who had saved his life in his infancy, and +otherwise done him much service. Sebituane was a man of great ability, +who had brought a vast number of tribes into subjection, and now ruled +over a very extensive territory, being one of the greatest magnates of +Africa. Livingstone, too, had naturally a strong desire to become +acquainted with so influential a man. The fact of his living near the +lake revived the project that had slumbered for years in his mind--to be +the first of the missionaries who should look on its waters. At +Kolobeng, too, the settlement was in such straits, owing to the +excessive drought which dried up the very river, that the people would +be compelled to leave it and settle elsewhere. The want of water, and +consequently of food, in the gardens, obliged the men to be absent +collecting locusts, so that there was hardly any one to come either to +church or school. Even the observance of the Sabbath broke down. If +Kolobeng should have to be abandoned, where would Livingstone go next? +It was certainly worth his while to look if a suitable locality could +not be found in Sebituane's territory. He had resolved that he would not +stay with the Bakwains always. If the new region were not suitable for +himself, he might find openings for native teachers; at all events, he +would go northward and see. Just before he started, messengers came to +him from Lechulatebe, chief of the people of the lake, asking him to +visit his country, and giving such an account of the quantity of ivory +that the cupidity of the Bakwain guides was roused, and they became +quite eager to be there. + +On 1st June, 1849, Livingstone accordingly set out from Kolobeng. +Sechéle was not of the party, but two English hunting friends +accompanied him, Mr. Oswell and Mr. Murray--Mr. Oswell generously +defraying the cost of the guides. Sekomi, a neighboring chief who +secretly wished the expedition to fail, lest his monopoly of the ivory +should be broken up, remonstrated with them for rushing on to certain +death--they must be killed by the sun and thirst, and if he did not stop +them, people would blame him for the issue. "No fear," said Livingstone, +"people will only blame our own stupidity." + +The great Kalahari desert, of which Livingstone has given so full an +account, lay between them and the lake. They passed along its northeast +border, and had traversed about half of the distance, when one day it +seemed most unexpectedly that they had got to their journey's end. Mr. +Oswell was a little in advance, and having cleared an intervening thick +belt of trees, beheld in the soft light of the setting sun what seemed a +magnificent lake twenty miles in circumference; and at the sight threw +his hat in the air, and raised a shout which made the Bakwains think him +mad. He fancied it was 'Ngami, and, indeed, it was a wonderful +deception, caused by a large salt-pan gleaming in the light of the sun; +in fact, the old, but ever new phenomenon of the mirage. The real 'Ngami +was yet 300 miles farther on. + +Livingstone has given ample details of his progress in the _Missionary +Travels_, dwelling especially on his joy when he reached the beautiful +river Zouga, whose waters flowed from 'Ngami. Providence frustrated an +attempt to rouse ill-feeling against him on the part of two men who had +been sent by Sekomi, apparently to help him, but who now went before him +and circulated a report that the object of the travelers was to plunder +all the tribes living on the river and the lake. Half-way up, the +principal man was attacked by fever, and died; the natives thought it a +judgment, and seeing through Sekomi's reason for wishing the expedition +not to succeed, they by and by became quite friendly, under +Livingstone's fair and kind treatment. + +A matter of great significance in his future history occurred at the +junction of the rivers Tamanak'le and Zouga: + + "I inquired," he says, "whence the Tamanak'le came. 'Oh! from + a country full of rivers,--so many, no one can tell their + number, and full of large trees.' This was the first + confirmation of statements I had heard from the Bakwains who + had been with Sebituane, that the country beyond was not the + 'large sandy plateau' of the philosophers. The prospect of a + highway, capable of being traversed by boats to an entirely + unexplored and very populous region, grew from that time + forward stronger and stronger in my mind; so much so, that + when we actually came to the lake, this idea occupied such a + large portion of my mental vision, that the actual discovery + seemed of but little importance. I find I wrote, when the + emotions caused by the magnificent prospects of the new + country were first awakened in my breast, that they might + subject me to the charge of enthusiasm, a charge which I + deserved, as nothing good or great had ever been accomplished + in the world without it[29].'" + +[Footnote 29: _Missionary Travels_, p. 65.] + +Twelve days after, the travelers came to the northeast end of Lake +'Ngami, and it was on 1st August, 1849, that this fine sheet of water +was beheld for the first time by Europeans. It was of such magnitude +that they could not see the farther shore, and they could only guess its +size from the reports of the natives that it took three days to go +round it. + +Lechulatebe, the chief who had sent him the invitation, was quite a +young man, and his reception by no means corresponded to what the +invitation implied. He had no idea of Livingstone going on to Sebituane, +who lived two hundred miles farther north, and perhaps supplying him +with fire-arms which would make him a more dangerous neighbor. He +therefore refused Livingstone guides to Sebituane, and sent men to +prevent him from crossing the river. Livingstone was not to be baulked, +and worked many hours in the river trying to make a raft out of some +rotten wood,--at the imminent risk of his life, as he afterward found, +for the Zouga abounds with alligators. The season was now far advanced, +and as Mr. Oswell volunteered to go down to the Cape and bring up a boat +next year, the expedition was abandoned for the time. + +Returning home by the Zouga, they had better opportunity to mark the +extraordinary richness of the country, and the abundance and luxuriance +of its products, both animal and vegetable. Elephants existed in crowds, +and ivory was so abundant that a trader was purchasing it at the rate of +ten tusks for a musket worth fifteen shillings. Two years later, after +effect had been given to Livingstone's discovery, the price had risen +very greatly. + +Writing to his friend Watt, he dwells with delight on the river Zouga: + + "It is a glorious river; you never saw anything so grand. The + banks are extremely beautiful, lined with gigantic trees, + many quite new. One bore a fruit a foot in length and three + inches in diameter. Another measured seventy feet in + circumference. Apart from the branches it looked like a mass + of granite; and then the Bakoba in their canoes--did I not + enjoy sailing in them? Remember how long I have been in a + parched-up land, and answer. The Bakoba are a fine frank race + of men, and seem to understand the message better than any + people to whom I have spoken on Divine subjects for the first + time. What think you of a navigable highway into a large + section of the interior? yet that the Tamanak'le is.... Who + will go into that goodly land? Who? Is it not the Niger of + this part of Africa?... I greatly enjoyed sailing in their + canoes, rude enough things, hollowed out of the trunks of + single trees, and visiting the villages along the Zouga. I + felt but little when I looked on the lake; but the Zouga and + Tamanak'le awakened emotions not to be described. I hope to + go up the latter next year." + +The discovery of the lake and the river was communicated to the Royal +Geographical Society in extracts from Livingstone's letters to the +London Missionary Society, and to his friend and former fellow-traveler, +Captain Steele. In 1849 the Society voted him a sum of twenty-five +guineas "for his successful journey, in company with Messrs. Oswell and +Murray, across the South African desert, for the discovery of an +interesting country, a fine river, and an extensive inland lake." In +addressing Dr. Tidman and Alderman Challis, who represented the London +Missionary Society, the President (the late Captain, afterward +Rear-Admiral, W. Smyth, R.N., who distinguished himself in early life by +his journey across the Andes to Lima, and thence to the Atlantic) +adverted to the value of the discoveries in themselves, and in the +influence they would have on the regions beyond. He spoke also of the +help which Livingstone had derived as an explorer from his influence as +a missionary. The journey he had performed successfully had hitherto +baffled the best-furnished travelers. In 1834, an expedition under Dr. +Andrew Smith, the largest and best-appointed that ever left Cape Town, +had gone as far as 23° south latitude; but that proved to be the utmost +distance they could reach, and they were compelled to return. Captain +Sir James E. Alexander, the only scientific traveler subsequently sent +out from England by the Geographical Society, in despair of the lake, +and of discovery by the oft-tried eastern route, explored the +neighborhood of the western coast instead[30]. The President frankly +ascribed Livingstone's success to the influence he had acquired as a +missionary among the natives, and Livingstone thoroughly believed this. +"The lake," he wrote to his friend Watt, "belongs to missionary +enterprise." "Only last year," he subsequently wrote to the Geographical +Society, "a party of engineers, in about thirty wagons, made many and +persevering efforts to cross the desert at different points, but though +inured to the climate, and stimulated by the prospect of gain from the +ivory they expected to procure, they were compelled, for want of water, +to give up the undertaking." The year after Livingstone's first visit, +Mr. Francis Galton tried, but failed, to reach the lake, though he was +so successful in other directions as to obtain the Society's gold +medal in 1852. + +[Footnote 30: Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, vol. xx. p. +xxviii.] + +Livingstone was evidently gratified at the honor paid him, and the +reception of the twenty-five guineas from the Queen. But the gift had +also a comical side. It carried him back to the days of his Radical +youth, when he and his friends used to criticise pretty sharply the +destination of the nation's money. "The Royal Geographical Society," he +writes to his parents (4th December, 1850), "have awarded twenty-five +guineas for the discovery of the lake. It is from the Queen. You must +be very loyal, all of you. Next time she comes your way, shout till you +are hoarse. Oh, you Radicals, don't be thinking it came out of your +pockets! Long live Victoria[31]!" + +[Footnote 31: In a more serious vein he wrote in a previous letter: "I +wonder you do not go to see the Queen. I was as disloyal as others when +in England, for though I might have seen her in London, I never went. Do +you ever pray for her?" This letter is dated 5th February, 1850, and +must have been written before he heard of the prize.] + +Defeated in his endeavor to reach Sebituane in 1849, Livingstone, the +following season, put in practice his favorite maxim, "Try again." He +left Kolobeng in April, 1850, and this time he was accompanied by +Sechéle, Mebalwe, twenty Bakwains, Mrs. Livingstone, and their whole +troop of infantry, which now amounted to three. Traveling in the +charming climate of South Africa in the roomy wagon, at the pace of two +miles and a half an hour, is not like traveling at home; but it was a +proof of Livingstone's great unwillingness to be separated from his +family, that he took them with him, notwithstanding the risk of +mosquitoes, fever, and want of water. The people of Kolobeng were so +engrossed at the time with their employments, that till harvest was +over, little missionary work could be done. + +The journey was difficult, and on the northern branch of the Zouga many +trees had to be cut down to allow the wagons to pass. The presence of a +formidable enemy was reported on the banks of the Tamanak'le,--the +tsetse-fly, whose bite is so fatal to oxen. To avoid it, another route +had to be chosen. When they got near the lake, it was found that fever +had recently attacked a party of Englishmen, one of whom had died, while +the rest recovered under the care of Dr. and Mrs. Livingstone. +Livingstone took his family to have a peep at the lake; "the children," +he wrote, "took to playing in it as ducklings do. Paidling in it was +great fun." Great fun to them, who had seen little enough water for a +while; and in a quiet way, great fun to their father too,--his own +children "paidling" in his own lake! He was beginning to find that in a +missionary point of view, the presence of his wife and children was a +considerable advantage; it inspired the natives with confidence, and +promoted tender feelings and kind relations. The chief, Lechulatebe, was +at last propitiated at a considerable sacrifice, having taken a fancy to +a valuable rifle of Livingstone's, the gift of a friend, which could not +be replaced. The chief vowed that if he got it he would give Livingstone +everything he wished, and protect and feed his wife and children into +the bargain, while he went on to Sebituane. Livingstone at once handed +him the gun. "It is of great consequence," he said, "to gain the +confidence of these fellows at the beginning." It was his intention that +Mrs. Livingstone and the children should remain at Lechulatebe's until +he should have returned. But the scheme was upset by an outburst of +fever. Among others, two of the children were attacked. There was no +help but to go home. The gun was left behind in the hope that ere long +Livingstone would get back to claim the fulfillment of the chiefs +promise. It was plain that the neighborhood of the lake was not +habitable by Europeans. Hence a fresh confirmation of his views as to +the need of native agency, if intertropical Africa was ever to be +Christianized. + +But Livingstone was convinced that there must be a healthier spot to the +north. Writing to Mr. Watt (18th August, 1850), he not only expresses +this conviction, but gives the ground on which it rested. The extract +which we subjoin gives a glimpse of the sagacity that from apparently +little things drew great conclusions; but more than that, it indicates +the birth of the great idea that dominated the next period of +Livingstone's life--the desire and determination to find a passage to +the sea, either on the east or the west coast: + + "A more salubrious climate must exist farther up to the + north, and that the country is higher, seems evident from the + fact mentioned by the Bakoba, that the water of the Teoge, + the river that falls into the 'Ngami at the northwest point + of it, flows with great rapidity. Canoes ascending, punt all + the way, and the men must hold on by reeds in order to + prevent their being carried down by the current. Large trees, + spring-bucks and other antelopes are sometimes brought down + by it. Do you wonder at my pressing on in the way we have + done? The Bechuana mission has been carried on in a + _cul-de-sac._ I tried to break through by going among the + Eastern tribes, but the Boers shut up that field. A French + missionary, Mr. Fredoux, of Motito, tried to follow on my + trail to the Bamangwato, but was turned back by a party of + armed Boers. When we burst through the barrier on the north, + it appeared very plain that no mission could be successful + there, unless we could get a well-watered country leaving a + passage to the sea on either the east or west coast. This + project I am almost afraid to meet, but nothing else will do. + I intend (D.V.) to go in next year and remain a twelvemonth. + My wife, poor soul--I pity her!--proposed to let me go for + that time while she remained at Kolobeng. You will pray for + us both during that period." + +A week later (August 24, 1850) he writes to the Directors that no +convenient access to the region can be obtained from the south, the lake +being 870 miles from Kuruman: + + "We must have a passage to the sea on either the eastern or + western coast. I have hitherto been afraid to broach the + subject on which my perhaps dreamy imagination dwells. You at + home are accustomed to look on a project as half finished + when you have received the co-operation of the ladies. My + better half has promised me a twelvemonth's leave of absence + for mine. Without promising anything, I mean to follow a + useful motto in many circumstances, and _Try again_." + +On returning to Kolobeng, Mrs. Livingstone was delivered of a +daughter--her fourth child. An epidemic was raging at the time, and the +child was seized and cut off, at the age of six weeks. The loss, or +rather the removal, of the child affected Livingstone greatly. "It was +the first death in our family," he says in his Journal, "but was just as +likely to have happened had we remained at home, and We have now one of +our number in heaven." + +To his parents he writes (4th December, 1850): + + "Our last child, a sweet little girl with blue eyes, was + taken from us to join the company of the redeemed, through + the merits of Him of whom she never heard. It is wonderful + how soon the affections twine round a little stranger. We + felt her loss keenly. She was attacked by the prevailing + sickness, which attacked many native children, and bore up + under it for a fortnight. We could not apply remedies to one + so young, except the simplest. She uttered a piercing cry + previous to expiring, and then went away to see the King in + his beauty, and the land--the glorious land, and its + inhabitants. Hers is the first grave in all that country + marked as the resting-place of one of whom it is believed and + confessed that she shall live again." + +Mrs. Livingstone had an attack of serious illness, accompanied by +paralysis of the right side of the face, and rest being essential for +her, the family went, for a time, to Kuruman. Dr. Livingstone had a +strong desire to go to the Cape for the excision of his uvula, which had +long been troublesome. But, with characteristic self-denial, he put his +own case out of view, staying with his wife, that she might have the +rest and attention she needed. He tried to persuade his father-in-law to +perform the operation, and, under his direction, Dr. Moffat went so far +as to make a pair of scissors for the purpose; but his courage, so well +tried in other fields, was not equal to the performance of such a +surgical operation. + +Some glimpses of Livingstone's musings at this time, showing, among +other things, how much more he thought of his spiritual than his +Highland ancestry, occur in a letter to his parents, written immediately +after his return from his second visit to the lake (28th July, 1850). If +they should carry out their project of emigration to America, they would +have an interesting family gathering: + + "One, however, will be 'over the hills and far away' from + your happy meeting. The meeting which we hope will take place + in Heaven will be unlike a happy one, in so far as earthly + relationships are concerned. One will be so much taken up in + looking at Jesus, I don't know when we shall be disposed to + sit down and talk about the days of lang syne. And then + there will be so many notables whom we should like to notice + and shake hands with--Luke, for instance, the beloved + physician, and Jeremiah, and old Job, and Noah, and Enoch, + that if you are wise, you will make the most of your union + while you are together, and not fail to write me fully, while + you have the opportunity here.... + + "Charles thinks we are not the descendants of the Puritans. I + don't know what you are, but I am. And if you dispute it, I + shall stick to the answer of a poor little boy before a + magistrate. M.--'Who were your parents?' _Boy_ (rubbing his + eyes with his jacket-sleeve)--'Never had none, sir.' Dr. + Wardlaw says that the Scotch Independents are the descendants + of the Puritans, and I suppose the pedigree is through + Rowland Hill and Whitefield. But I was a member of the very + church in which John Howe, the chaplain of Oliver Cromwell, + preached, and exercised the pastorate. I was ordained, too, + by English Independents. Moreover, I am a Doctor too. Agnes + and Janet, get up this moment and curtsy to his Reverence! + John and Charles, remember the dream of the sheaves! _I_ + descended from kilts and Donald Dhus? Na, na, I won't + believe it. + + "We have a difficult, difficult field to cultivate here. All + I can say is, that I think knowledge is increasing. But for + the belief that the Holy Spirit works, and will work for us, + I should give up in despair. Remember us in your prayers, + that we grow not weary in well-doing. It is hard to work for + years with pure motives, and all the time be looked on by + most of those to whom our lives are devoted, as having some + sinister object in view. Disinterested labor--benevolence--is + so out of their line of thought, that many look upon us as + having some ulterior object in view. But He who died for us, + and whom we ought to copy, did more for us than we can do for + any one else. He endured the contradiction of sinners. May we + have grace to follow in his steps!' + +The third, and at last successful, effort to reach Sebituane was made in +April, 1851. Livingstone was again accompanied by his family, and by Mr. +Oswell. He left Kolobeng with the intention not to return, at least not +immediately, but to settle with his family in such a spot as might be +found advantageous, in the hilly region, of whose existence he was +assured. They found the desert drier than ever, no rain having fallen +throughout an immense extent of territory. To the kindness of Mr. Oswell +the party was indebted for most valuable assistance in procuring water, +wells having been dug or cleared by his people beforehand at various +places, and at one place at the hazard of Mr. Oswell's life, under an +attack from an infuriated lioness. In his private Journal, and in his +letters to home, Livingstone again and again acknowledges with deepest +gratitude the numberless acts of kindness done by Mr. Oswell to him and +his family, and often adds the prayer that God would reward him, and of +His grace give him the highest of all blessings. "Though I cannot repay, +I may record with gratitude his kindness, so that, if spared to look +upon these, my private memoranda, in future years, proper emotions may +ascend to Him who inclined his heart to show so much friendship." + +The party followed the old route, around the bed of the Zouga, then +crossed a piece of the driest desert they had ever seen, with not an +insect or a bird to break the stillness. On the third day a bird chirped +in a bush, when the dog began to bark! Shobo, their guide, a Bushman, +lost his way, and for four days they were absolutely without water. In +his _Missionary Travels_, Livingstone records quietly, as was his wont +his terrible anxiety about his children. + + "The supply of water in the wagons had been wasted by one of + our servants, and by the afternoon only a small portion + remained for the children. This was a bitterly anxious night; + and next morning, the less there was of water, the more + thirsty the little rogues became. The idea of their perishing + before our eyes was terrible; it would almost have been a + relief to me to have been reproached with being the entire + cause of the catastrophe, but not one syllable of upbraiding + was uttered by their mother, though the tearful eye told the + agony within. In the afternoon of the fifth day, to our + inexpressible relief, some of the men returned with a supply + of that fluid of which we had never before felt the + true value." + + "No one," he remarks in his Journal, "knows the value of + water till be is deprived of it. We never need any spirits to + qualify it, or prevent an immense draught of it from doing us + harm. I have drunk water swarming with insects, thick with + mud, putrid from other mixtures, and no stinted draughts of + it either, yet never felt any inconvenience from it." + + "My opinion is," he said on another occasion, "that the most + severe labors and privations may be undergone without + alcoholic stimulus, because those who have endured the most + had nothing else but water, and not always enough of that." + +One of the great charms of Livingstone's character, and one of the +secrets of his power--his personal interest in each individual, however +humble--appeared in connection with Shobo, the Bushman guide, who misled +them and took the blunder so coolly. "What a wonderful people," he says +in his Journal, "the Bushmen are! always merry and laughing, and never +telling lies wantonly like the Bechuana. They have more of the +appearance of worship than any of the Bechuana. When will these dwellers +in the wilderness bow down before their Lord? No man seems to care for +the Bushman's soul. I often wished I knew their language, but never more +than when we traveled with our Bushman guide, Shobo." + +Livingstone had given a fair trial to the experiment of traveling along +with his family. In one of his letters at this time he speaks of the +extraordinary pain caused by the mosquitoes of those parts, and of his +children being so covered with their bites, that not a square inch of +whole skin was to be found on their bodies. It is no wonder that he gave +up the idea of carrying them with him in the more extended journey he +was now contemplating. He could not leave them at Kolobeng, exposed to +the raids of the Boers; to Kuruman there were also invincible +objections; the only possible plan was to send them to England, though +he hoped that when he got settled in some suitable part of Sebituane's +dominions, with a free road to the sea, they would return to him, and +help him to bring the people to Christ. + +In the _Missionary Travels_ Livingstone has given a full account of +Sebituane, chief of the Makololo, "unquestionably the greatest man in +all that country"--his remarkable career, his wonderful warlike exploits +(for which he could always bring forward justifying reasons), his +interesting and attractive character, and wide and powerful influence. +In one thing Sebituane was very like Livingstone himself; he had the art +of gaining the affections both of his own people and of strangers. When +a party of poor men came to his town to sell hoes or skins, he would sit +down among them, talk freely and pleasantly to them, and probably cause +some lordly dish to be brought, and give them a feast on it, perhaps the +first they had ever shared. Delighted beyond measure with his affability +and liberality, they felt their hearts warm toward him; and as he never +allowed a party of strangers to go away without giving every one of +them--servants and all--a present, his praises were sounded far and +wide. "He has a heart! he is wise!" were the usual expressions +Livingstone heard before he saw him. + +Sebituane received Livingstone with great kindness, for it had been one +of the dreams of his life to have intercourse with the white man. He +placed full confidence in him from the beginning, and was ready to give +him everything he might need. On the first Sunday when the usual service +was held he was present, and Livingstone was very thankful that he was +there, for it turned out to be the only proclamation of the gospel he +ever heard. For just after realizing what he had so long and ardently +desired, he was seized with severe inflammation of the lungs, and died +after a fortnight's illness. Livingstone, being a stranger, feared to +prescribe, lest, in the event of his death, he should be accused of +having caused it. On visiting him, and seeing that he was dying, he +spoke a few words respecting hope after death. But being checked by the +attendants for introducing the subject, he could only commend his soul +to God. The last words of Sebituane were words of kindness to +Livingstone's son: "Take him to Maunku (one of his wives) and tell her +to give him some milk." Livingstone was deeply affected by his death. A +deeper sense of brotherhood, a warmer glow of affection had been +kindled in his heart toward Sebituane than had seemed possible. With his +very tender conscience and deep sense of spiritual realities, +Livingstone was afraid, as in the case of Sehamy eight years before, +that he had not spoken to him so pointedly as he might have done. It is +awfully affecting to follow him into the unseen world, of which he had +heard for the first time just before he was called away. In his Journal, +Livingstone gives way to his feelings as he very seldom allowed himself +to do. His words bring to mind David's lament for Jonathan or for +Absalom, although he had known Sebituane less than a month, and he was +one of the race whom many Boers and slave-stealers regarded as having +no souls: + + "Poor Sebituane, my heart bleeds for thee; and what would I + not do for thee now? I will weep for thee till the day of my + death. Little didst thou think when, in the visit of the + white man, thou sawest the long cherished desires of years + accomplished, that the sentence of death had gone forth! Thou + thoughtest that thou shouldest procure a weapon from the + white man which would be a shield from the attacks of the + fierce Matebele; but a more deadly dart than theirs was aimed + at thee; and though, thou couldest well ward off a dart--none + ever better--thou didst not see that of the king of terrors. + I will weep for thee, my brother, and I will cast forth my + sorrows in despair for thy condition! But I know that thou + wilt receive no injustice whither thou art gone; 'Shall not + the Judge of all the earth do right?' I leave thee to Him. + Alas! alas! Sebituane. I might have said more to him. God + forgive me. Free me from blood-guiltiness. If I had said more + of death I might have been suspected as having foreseen the + event, and as guilty of bewitching him. I might have + recommended Jesus and his great atonement more. It is, + however, very difficult to break through the thick crust of + ignorance which envelops their minds." + +The death of Sebituane was a great blow in another sense. The region +over which his influence extended was immense, and he had promised to +show it to Livingstone and to select a suitable locality for his +residence. This heathen chief would have given to Christ's servant what +the Boers refused him! Livingstone would have had his wish--an entirely +new country to work upon, where the name of Christ had never yet been +spoken. So at least he thought. Sebituane's successor in the chiefdom +was his daughter, Ma-mochisane. From her he received liberty to visit +any part of the country he chose. While waiting for a reply (she was +residing at a distance), he one day fell into a great danger from an +elephant which had come on him unexpectedly. "We were startled by his +coming a little way in the direction in which we were standing, but he +did not give us chase. I have had many escapes. We seem immortal till +our work is done." + +Mr. Oswell and he then proceeded in a northeasterly direction, passing +through the town of Linyanti, and on the 3d of August they came on the +beautiful river at Seshéke: + + "We thanked God for permitting us to see this glorious river. + All we said to each other was 'How glorious! how magnificent! + how beautiful!'... In crossing, the waves lifted up the canoe + and made it roll beautifully. The scenery of the Firths of + Forth and Clyde was brought vividly to my view, and had I + been fond of indulging in sentimental effusions, my lachrymal + apparatus seemed fully charged. But then the old man who was + conducting us across might have said, 'What on earth are you + blubbering for? Afraid of these crocodiles, eh?' The little + sentimentality which exceeded was forced to take its course + down the inside of the nose. We have other work in this world + than indulging in sentimentality of the 'Sonnet to the Moon' + variety." + +The river, which went here by the name of Seshéke, was found to be the +Zambesi, which had not previously been known to exist in that region. In +writing about it to his brother Charles, he says, "It was the first +_river_ I ever saw." Its discovery in this locality constituted one of +the great geographical feats with which the name of Livingstone is +connected. He heard of rapids above, and of great water-falls below; but +it was reserved for him on a future visit to behold the great Victoria +Falls, which in the popular imagination have filled a higher place than +many of his more useful discoveries. + +The travelers were still a good many days' distance from Ma-mochisane, +without whose presence nothing could be settled; but besides, the reedy +banks of the rivers were found to be unsuitable for a settlement, and +the higher regions were too much exposed to the attacks of Mosilikatse. +Livingstone saw no prospect of obtaining a suitable station, and with +great reluctance he made up his mind to retrace the weary road, and +return to Kolobeng. The people were very anxious for him to stay, and +offered to make a garden for him, and to fulfill Sebituane's promise to +give him oxen in return for those killed by the tsetse. + +Setting out with the wagons on 13th August, 1851, the party proceeded +slowly homeward. On 15th September, 1851, Livingstone's Journal has this +unexpected and simple entry: "A son, William Oswell Livingstone[32], +born at a place we always call Bellevue." On the 18th: "Thomas attacked +by fever; removed to a high part on his account. Thomas was seized with +fever three times at about an interval of a fortnight." Not a word about +Mrs. Livingstone, but three pages of observations about medical +treatment of fever, thunderstorms, constitutions of Indian and African +people, leanness of the game, letter received from Directors approving +generally of his course, a gold watch sent by Captain Steele, and Gordon +Cumming's book, "a miserably poor thing." Amazed, we ask, Had +Livingstone any heart? But ere long we come upon a copy of a letter, and +some remarks connected with it, that give us an impression of the depth +and strength of his nature, unsurpassed by anything that has +yet occurred. + +[Footnote 32: He had intended to call him Charles, and announced this to +his father; but, finding that Mr. Oswell, to whom he was so much +indebted, would be pleased with the compliment, he changed his purpose +and the name accordingly.] + +"The following extracts," he says, "show in what light our efforts are +regarded by those who, as much as we do, desire that the 'gospel may be +preached to all nations,'" Then follows a copy of a letter which had +been addressed to him before they set out by Mrs. Moffat, his +mother-in-law, remonstrating in the strongest terms against his plan of +taking his wife with him; reminding him of the death of the child, and +other sad occurrences of last year; and in the name of everything that +was just, kind, and even decent, beseeching him to abandon an +arrangement which all the world would condemn. Another letter from the +same writer informed him that much prayer had been offered that, if the +arrangements were not in accordance with Christian propriety, he might +in great mercy be prevented by some dispensation of Providence from +carrying them out. Mrs. Moffat was a woman of the highest gifts and +character, and full of admiration for Livingstone. The insertion of +these letters in his Journal shows that, in carrying out his plan, the +objections to which it was liable were before his mind in the strongest +conceivable form. No man who knows what Livingstone was will imagine for +a moment that he had not the most tender regard for the health, the +comfort, and the feelings of his wife; in matters of delicacy he had the +most scrupulous regard to propriety; his resolution to take her with him +must, therefore, have sprung from something far stronger than even his +affection for her. What was this stronger force? + +It was his inviolable sense of duty, and his indefeasible conviction +that his Father in heaven would not forsake him whilst pursuing a course +in obedience to his will, and designed to advance the welfare of his +children. As this furnishes the key to Livingstone's future life, and +the answer to one of the most serious objections ever brought against +it, it is right to spend a little time in elucidating the principles by +which he was guided. + +There was a saying of the late Sir Herbert Edwardes which he highly +valued: "He who has to act on his own responsibility is a slave if he +does not act on his own judgment." Acting on this maxim, he must set +aside the views of others as to his duty, provided his own judgment was +clear regarding it. He must even set aside the feelings and apparent +interest of those dearest to him, because duty was above everything +else. His faith in God convinced him that, in the long run, it could +never be the worse for him and his that he had firmly done his duty. All +true faith has in it an element of venture, and in Livingstone's faith +this element was strong. Trusting God, he could expose to venture even +the health, comfort, and welfare of his wife and children. He was +convinced that it was his duty to go forth with them and seek a new +station for the Gospel in Sebituane's country. If this was true, God +would take care of them, and it was "better to trust in the Lord than to +put confidence in man." People thoughtlessly accused him of making light +of the interests of his family. No man suffered keener pangs from the +course he had to follow concerning them, and no man pondered more deeply +what duty to them required. + +But to do all this, Livingstone must have had a very clear perception of +the course of duty. This is true. But how did he get this? First, his +singleness of heart, so to speak, attracted the light: "If thine eye be +single, thy whole body shall be full of light." Then, he was very clear +and very minute in his prayers. Further, he was most careful to scan all +the providential indications that might throw light on the Divine will. +And when he had been carried so far on in the line of duty, he had a +strong presumption that the line would be continued, and that he would +not be called to turn back. It was in front, not in rear, that he +expected to find the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. In course +of time, this hardened into a strong instinctive habit, which almost +dispensed with the process of reasoning. + +In Dean Stanley's _Sinai and Palestine_ allusion is made to a kindred +experience,--that which bore Abraham from Chaldea, Moses from Egypt, and +the greater part of the tribes from the comfortable pastures of Gilead +and Bashan to the rugged hill-country of Judah and Ephraim. +Notwithstanding all the attractions of the richer countries, they were +borne onward and forward, not knowing whither they went; instinctively +feeling that they were fulfilling the high purposes to which they were +called. In the later part of Livingstone's life, the necessity of going +forward to the close of the career that had opened for him seemed to +settle the whole question of duty. + +But at this earlier stage, he had been conscientiously scrutinizing all +that had any bearing on that question; and now that he finds himself +close to his home, and can thank God for the safe confinement of his +wife, and the health of the new-born child, he gathers together all the +providences that showed that in this journey, which excited such horror +even among his best friends, he had after all been following the +guidance of his Father. First, in the matter of guides, he had been +wonderfully helped, notwithstanding a deep plot to deprive him of any. +Then there was the sickness of Sekómi, whose interest had been secured +through his going to see him, and prescribing for him; this had +propitiated one of the tribes. The services of Shobo, too, and the +selection of the northern route, proposed by Kamati, had been of great +use. Their going to Seshéke, and their detention for two months, thus +allowing them time to collect information respecting the whole country; +the river Chobe not rising at its usual time; the saving of +Livingstone's oxen from the tsetse, notwithstanding their detention on +the Zouga; his not going with Mr. Oswell to a place where the tsetse +destroyed many of the oxen; the better health of Mrs. Livingstone during +her confinement than in any previous one; a very opportune present they +had got, just before her confinement, of two bottles of wine[33]; the +approbation of the Directors, the presentation of a gold watch by +Captain Steele, the kind attentions of Mr. Oswell, and the cookery of +one of their native servants named George; the recovery of Thomas, +whereas at Kuruman a child had been cut off; the commencement of the +rains, just as they were leaving the river, and the request of Mr. +Oswell that they should draw upon him for as much money as they should +need, were all among the indications that a faithful and protecting +Father in heaven had been ordering their path, and would order it in +like manner in all time to come. + +[Footnote 33: In writing to his father, Livingstone mentions that the +wine was a gift from Mrs. Bysshe Shelley, in acknowledgment of his aid +in repairing a wheel of her wagon.] + +Writing at this time to his father-in-law, Mr. Moffat, he said, after +announcing the birth of Oswell: "What you say about difference of +opinion is true. In my past life, I have always managed to think for +myself, and act accordingly. I have occasionally met with people who +took it on themselves to act for me, and they have offered their +thoughts with an emphatic 'I think'; but I have excused them on the +score of being a little soft-headed in believing they could think both +for me and themselves." + +While Kolobeng was Livingstone's headquarters, a new trouble rose upon +the mission horizon. The Makololo (as Sebituane's people were called) +began to practice the slave-trade. It arose simply from their desire to +possess guns. For eight old muskets they had given to a neighboring +tribe eight boys, that had been taken from their enemies in war, being +the only article for which the guns could be got. Soon after, in a fray +against another tribe, two hundred captives were taken, and, on +returning, the Makololo met some Arab traders from Zanzibar, who for +three muskets received about thirty of their captives. + +Another of the master ideas of his life now began to take hold upon +Livingstone. Africa was exposed to a terrible evil through the desire of +the natives to possess articles of European manufacture, and their +readiness for this purpose to engage in the slave-trade. Though no +African had ever been known to sell his own children into captivity, the +tribes were ready enough to sell other children that had fallen into +their hands by war or otherwise. But if a legitimate traffic were +established through which they might obtain whatever European goods they +desired in exchange for ivory and other articles of native produce, +would not this frightful slave-trade be brought to an end? The idea was +destined to receive many a confirmation before Livingstone drew his last +breath of African air. It naturally gave a great impulse to the purpose +which had already struck its roots into his soul--to find a road to the +sea either on the eastern or western coast. Interests wider and grander +than even the planting of mission stations on the territories of +Sebituane now rose to his view. The welfare of the whole continent, both +spiritual and temporal, was concerned in the success of this plan of +opening new channels to the enterprise of British and other merchants, +always eager to hear of new markets for their goods. By driving away the +slave-trade, much would be done to prepare the way for Christian +missions which could not thrive in an atmosphere of war and commotion. +An idea involving issues so vast was fitted to take a right powerful +hold on Livingstone's heart, and make him feel that no sacrifice could +be too great to be encountered, cheerfully and patiently, for such +an end. + +Writing to the Directors (October, 1851), he says: + + "You will see by the accompanying sketch-map what an immense + region God in his grace has opened up. If we can enter in and + form a settlement, we shall be able in the course of a very + few years to put a stop to the slave-trade in that quarter. + It is probable that the mere supply of English manufacturers + on Sebituane's part will effect this, for they did not like + the slave-trade, and promised to abstain. I think it will be + impossible to make a fair commencement unless I can secure + two years devoid of family cares. I shall be obliged to go + southward, perhaps to the Cape, to have my uvula excised and + my arm mended (the latter, if it can be done, only). It has + occurred to me that, as we must send our children to England, + it would be no great additional expense to send them now + along with their mother. This arrangement would enable me to + proceed, and devote about two or perhaps three years to this + new region; but I must beg your sanction, and if you please + let it be given or withheld as soon as you can conveniently, + so that it might meet me at the Cape. To orphanize my + children will be like tearing out my bowels, but when I can + find time to write you fully you will perceive it is the only + way, except giving up that region altogether. + + "Kuruman will not answer as a residence, nor yet the Colony. + If I were to follow my own inclinations, they would lead me + to settle down quietly with the Bakwains, or some other small + tribe, and devote some of my time to my children; but + _Providence seems to call me to the regions beyond_, and if I + leave them anywhere in this country, it will be to let them + become heathens. If you think it right to support them, I + believe my parents in Scotland would attend to them + otherwise." + +Continuing the subject in a more leisurely way a few weeks later, he +refers to the very great increase of traffic that had taken place since +the discovery of Lake 'Ngami two years before; the fondness of the +people for European articles; the numerous kinds of native produce +besides ivory, such as beeswax, ostrich feathers, etc., of which the +natives made little or no use, but which they would take care of if +regular trade were established among them. He thought that if traders +were to come up the Zambesi and make purchases from the producers they +would both benefit themselves and drive the slave-dealer from the +market. It might be useful to establish a sanatorium, to which +missionaries might come from less healthy districts to recruit. This +would diminish the reluctance of missionaries to settle in the interior. +For himself, though he had reared three stations with much bodily labor +and fatigue, he would cheerfully undergo much more if a new station +would answer such objects. In referring to the countries drained by the +Zambesi, he believed he was speaking of a large section of the +slave-producing region of Africa. He then went on to say that to a +certain extent their hopes had been disappointed; Mr. Oswell had not +been able to find a passage to the sea, and he had not been able to find +a station for missionary work. They therefore returned together. "He +assisted me," adds Livingstone, "in every possible way. May God +reward him!" + +In regard to mission work for the future an important question arose, +What should be done for the Bakwains? They could not remain at +Kolobeng--hunger and the Boers decided that point. Was it not, then, his +duty to find and found a new station for them? Dr. Livingstone thought +not. He had always told them that he would remain with them only for a +few years. One of his great ideas on missions in Africa was that a fair +trial should be given to as many places as possible, and if the trial +did not succeed the missionaries should pass on to other tribes. He had +a great aversion to the common impression that the less success one had +the stronger was one's duty to remain. Missionaries were only too ready +to settle down and make themselves as comfortable as possible, whereas +the great need was for men to move on, to strike out into the regions +beyond, to go into all the world. He had far more sympathy for tribes +that had never heard the gospel than for those who had had it for years. +He used to refer to certain tribes near Griqualand that had got a little +instruction, but had no stated missionaries; they used to send some of +their people to the Griquas to learn what they could, and afterward some +others; and these persons, returning, communicated what they knew, till +a wonderful measure of knowledge was acquired, and a numerous church was +formed. If the seed had once been sown in any place it would not remain +dormant, but would excite the desire for further knowledge; and on the +whole it would be better for the people to be thrown somewhat on their +own resources than to have everything done for them by missionaries from +Europe. In regard to the Bakwains, though they had promised well at +first, they had not been a very teachable people. He was not inclined to +blame them; they had been so pinched by hunger and badgered by the Boers +that they could not attend to instruction; or rather, they had too good +an excuse for not doing so. "I have much affection for them," he says in +his Journal, "and though I pass from them I do not relinquish the hope +that they will yet turn to Him to whose mercy and love they have often +been invited. The seed of the living Word will not perish." + +The finger of Providence clearly pointed to a region farther north in +the country of the Barotse or beyond it, He admitted that there were +_pros_ and _cons_ in the case. Against his plan,--some of his brethren +did not hesitate to charge him with being actuated by worldly ambition. +This was the more trying, for sometimes he suspected his own motives. +Others dwelt on what was due to his family. Moreover, his own +predilections were all for a quiet life. And there was also the +consideration, that as the Directors could not well realize the +distances he would have to travel before he reached the field, he might +appear more as an explorer than a missionary. On the other hand: + + "I am conscious," he says, "that though there is much + impurity in my motives, they are in the main for the glory of + Him to whom I have devoted myself. I never anticipated fame + from the discovery of the Lake. I cared very little about it, + but the sight of the Tamanak'le, and the report of other + large rivers beyond, all densely populated, awakened many and + enthusiastic feelings.... Then, again, consider the multitude + that in the Providence of God have been brought to light in + the country of Sebituane; the probability that in our efforts + to evangelize we shall put a stop to the slave-trade in a + large region, and by means of the highway into the North + which we have discovered bring unknown nations into the + sympathies of the Christian world. If I were to choose my + work, it would be to reduce this new language, translate the + Bible into it, and be the means of forming a small church. + Let this be accomplished, I think I could then lie down and + die contented. Two years' absence will be necessary.... + Nothing but a strong conviction that the step will lead to + the glory of Christ would make me orphanize my children. Even + now my bowels yearn over them. They Will forget me; but I + hope when the day of trial comes, I shall not be found a more + sorry soldier than those who serve an earthly sovereign. + Should you not feel yourselves justified in incurring the + expense of their support in England, I shall feel called upon + to renounce the hope of carrying the gospel into that + country, and labor among those who live in a more healthy + country, viz., the Bakwains. But, stay, I am not sure; so + powerfully convinced am I that it is the will of the Lord I + should, _I will go, no matter who opposes_; but from you I + expect nothing but encouragement. I know you wish as ardently + as I can that all the world may be filled with the glory of + the Lord. I feel relieved when I lay the whole case before + you." + +He proposed that a brother missionary, Mr. Ashton, should be placed +among the Bamangwato, a people who were in the habit of spreading +themselves through the Bakalahari, and should thus form a link between +himself and the brethren in the south. + +In a postscript, dated Bamangwato, 14th November, he gratefully +acknowledges a letter from the Directors, in which his plans are +approved of generally. They had recommended him to complete a dictionary +of the Sichuana language. This he would have been delighted to do when +his mind was full of the subject, but with the new projects now before +him, and the probability of having to deal with a new language for the +Zambesi district, he could not undertake such a work at present. + +In a subsequent letter to the Directors (Cape Town, 17th March, 1852), +Livingstone finds it necessary to go into full details with regard to +his finances. Though he writes with perfect calmness, it is evident that +his exchequer was sadly embarrassed. In fact, he had already not only +spent all the salary (£100) of 1852, but fifty-seven pounds of 1853, and +the balance would be absorbed by expenses in Cape Town. He had been as +economical as possible; in personal expenditure most careful--he had +been a teetotaler for twenty years. He did not hesitate to express his +conviction that the salary was inadequate, and to urge the Directors to +defray the extra expenditure which was now inevitable; but with +characteristic generosity he urged Mr. Moffat's Claims much more warmly +than his own. + +From expressions in Livingstone's letter to the Directors, it is +evident that he was fully aware of the risk he ran, in his new line of +work, of appearing to sink the missionary in the explorer. There is no +doubt that next to the charge of forgetting the claims of his family, to +which we have already adverted, this was the most plausible of the +objections taken to his subsequent career. But any one who has candidly +followed his course of thought and feeling from the moment when the +sense of unseen realities burst on him at Blantyre, to the time at which +we have now arrived, must see that this view is altogether destitute of +support. The impulse of divine love that had urged him first to become a +missionary had now become with him the settled habit of his life. No new +ambition had flitted across his path, for though he had become known as +a geographical discoverer, he says he thought very little of the fact, +and his life shows this to have been true. Twelve years of missionary +life had given birth to no sense of weariness, no abatement of interest +in these poor black savages, no reluctance to make common cause with +them in the affairs of life, no despair of being able to do them good. +On the contrary, he was confirmed in his opinion of the efficacy of his +favorite plan of native agency, and if he could but get a suitable base +of operations, he was eager to set it going, and on every side he was +assured of native welcome. Shortly before (5th February, 1850), when +writing to his father with reference to a proposal of his brother +Charles that he should go and settle in America, he had said: "I am a +missionary, heart and soul. God had an only Son, and He was a missionary +and a physician. A poor, poor imitation of Him I am, or wish to be. In +this service I hope to live, in it I wish to die." The spectre of the +slave-trade had enlarged his horizon, and shown him the necessity of a +commercial revolution for the whole of Africa, before effectual and +permanent good could be done in any part of it. The plan which he had +now in view multiplied the risks he ran, and compelled him to think anew +whether he was ready to sacrifice himself, and if so, for what. All +that Livingstone did was thus done with open eyes and well-considered +resolution. Adverting to the prevalence of fever in some parts of the +country, while other parts were comparatively healthy, he says in his +Journal: "I offer myself as a forlorn hope in order to ascertain whether +there is a place fit to be a sanatorium for more unhealthy spots. May +God accept my service, and use me for his glory. A great honor it is to +he a fellow-worker with God." "It is a great venture," he writes to his +sister (28th April, 1851). "Fever may cut us all off. I feel much when I +think of the children dying. But who will go if we don't? Not one. I +would venture everything for Christ. Pity I have so little to give. But +He will accept us, for He is a good master. Never one like Him. He can +sympathize. May He forgive, and purify, and bless us." + +If in his spirit of high consecration he was thus unchanged, equally far +was he from having a fanatical disregard of life, and the rules of +provident living. + + "Jesus," he says, "came not to judge,--[Greek: + kriuo],--condemn judicially, or execute vengeance on any one. + His was a message of peace and love. He shall not strive nor + cry, neither shall his voice he heard in the streets. + Missionaries ought to follow his example. Neither insist on + our rights, nor appear as if we could allow our goods to be + destroyed without regret: for if we are righteous overmuch, + or stand up for our rights with too much vehemence, we beget + dislikes, and the people see no difference between ourselves + and them. And if we appear to care nothing for the things of + this world, they conclude we are rich, and when they beg, our + refusal is ascribed to niggardliness, and our property, too, + is wantonly destroyed. 'Ga ba tloke'=they are not in need, is + the phrase employed when our goods are allowed to go to + destruction by the neglect of servants.... In coming among + savage people, we ought to make them feel we are of them, 'we + seek not yours, but you'; but while very careful not to make + a gain of them, we ought to be as careful to appear thankful, + and appreciate any effort they may make for our comfort or + subsistence." + +On reaching Kolobeng from 'Ngami they found the station deserted. The +Bakwains had removed to Limaüe. Sechéle came down the day after, and +presented them with an ox--a valuable gift in his circumstances. Sechéle +had much yet to bear from the Boers; and after being, without +provocation, attacked, pillaged, and wasted, and robbed of his children, +he was bent on going to the Queen of England to state his wrongs. This, +however, he could not accomplish, though he went as far as the Cape. +Coming back afterward to his own people, he gathered large numbers about +him from other tribes, to whose improvement he devoted himself with much +success. He still survives, with the one wife whom he retained; and, +though not without some drawbacks (which Livingstone ascribed to the bad +example set him by some), he maintains his Christian profession. His +people are settled at some miles' distance from Kolobeng, and have a +missionary station, supported by a Hanoverian Society. His regard for +the memory of Livingstone is very great, and he reads with eagerness all +that he can find about him. He has ever been a warm friend of missions +has a wonderful knowledge of the Bible, and can preach well. The +influence of Livingstone in his early days was doubtless a real power in +mission-work. Mebalwe, too, we are informed by Dr. Moffat, still +survives; a useful man, an able preacher, and one who has done much to +bring his people to Christ. + +It was painful to Livingstone to say good-bye to the Bakwains, and (as +Mrs. Moffat afterward reminded him) his friends were not all in favor of +his doing so; but he regarded his departure as inevitable. After a short +stay at Kuruman, he and his family went on to Cape Town, where they +arrived on the 16th of March, 1852, and had new proofs of Mr. Oswell's +kindness. After eleven years' absence, Livingstone's dress-coat had +fallen a little out of fashion, and the whole costume of the party was +somewhat in the style of Robinson Crusoe. The generosity of "the best +friend we have in Africa" made all comfortable, Mr. Oswell remarking +that Livingstone had as good a right as he to the money drawn from the +"preserves on his estate"--the elephants. Mentally, Livingstone traces +to its source the kindness of his friend, thinking of One to whom he +owed all--"O divine Love, I have not loved Thee strongly, deeply, warmly +enough." The retrospect of his eleven years of African labor, unexampled +though they had been, only awakened in him the sense of +unprofitable service. + +Before closing the record of this period, we must take a glance at the +remarkable literary activity which it witnessed. We have had occasion to +refer to Livingstone's first letters to Captain Steele, for the +Geographical Society; additional letters were contributed from time to +time. His philological researches have also been noticed. In addition to +these, we find him writing two articles on African Missions for the +_British Quarterly Review_, only one of which was published. He likewise +wrote two papers for the _British Banner_ on the Boers. While crossing +the desert, after leaving the Cape on his first great journey, he wrote +a remarkable paper on "Missionary Sacrifices," and another of great +vigor on the Boers. Still another paper on Lake 'Ngami was written for a +Missionary Journal contemplated, but never started, under the editorship +of the late Mr. Isaac Taylor; and he had one in his mind on the religion +of the Bechuanas, presenting a view which differed somewhat from that of +Mr. Moffat. Writing to Mr. Watt from Linyanti (3d October, 1853), on +printing one of his papers, he says: + + "But the expense, my dear man. What a mess I am in, writing + papers which cannot pay their own way! Pauper papers, in + fact, which must go to the workhouse for support. Ugh! Has + the Caffre War paper shared the same fate? and the Language + paper too? Here I have two by me, which I will keep in their + native obscurity. One is on the South African Boers and + slavery, in which I show that their church is, and always has + been, the great bulwark of slavery, cattle-lifting, and + Caffre-marauding; and I correct the mistaken views of some + writers who describe the Boers as all that is good, and of + others who describe as all that is bad, by showing who are + the good and who are the bad. The other, which I rather + admire,--what father doesn't his own progeny?--is on the + missionary work, and designed to aid young men of piety to + form a more correct idea of it than is to be had from much of + the missionary biography of 'sacrifices.' I magnify the + enterprise, exult in the future, etc., etc. It was written in + coming across the desert, and if it never does aught else, it + imparted comfort and encouragement to myself[34].... I feel + almost inclined to send it.... If the Caffre War one is + rejected, then farewell to spouting in Reviews." + +[Footnote 34: For extracts from the paper on "Missionary Sacrifices," +see Appendix No. I. For part of the paper on the Boers, see _Catholic +Presbyterian_ December, 1879 (London, Nisbet and Co.).] + +If he had met with more encouragement from editors he would have written +more. But the editorial cold shoulder was beyond even his power of +endurance. He laid aside his pen in a kind of disgust, and this +doubtless was one of the reasons that made him unwilling to resume it on +his return to England. Editors were wiser then; and the offer from one +London Magazine of £400 for four articles, and from _Good Words_ of +£1000 for a number of papers to be fixed afterward,--offers which, +however, were not accepted finally,--showed how the tide had turned. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +FROM THE CAPE TO LINYANTI. + +A.D. 1852-1853. + +Unfavorable feeling at Cape Town--Departure of Mrs. Livingstone and +children--Livingstone's detention and difficulties--Letter to his +wife--To Agnes--Occupations at Cape Town--The +Astronomer-Royal--Livingstone leaves the Cape and reaches +Kuruman--Destruction of Kolobeng by the Boers--Letters to his wife and +Rev. J. Moore--His resolution to open up Africa _or perish_--Arrival at +Linyanti--Unhealthiness of the country--Thoughts on setting out for +coast--Sekelétu's kindness--Livingstone's missionary activity--Death of +Mpepe, and of his father--Meeting with Ma-mochisane--Barotse +country--Determines to go to Loanda--Heathenism unadulterated--Taste for +the beautiful--Letter to his children--to his father--Last Sunday at +Linyanti--Prospect of his falling. + + +When Livingstone arrived at the Cape, he found the authorities in a +state of excitement over the Caffre War, and very far from friendly +toward the London Missionary Society, some of whose +missionaries--himself among the number--were regarded as "unpatriotic." +He had a very poor opinion of the officials, and their treatment of the +natives scandalized him. He describes the trial of an old soldier, +Botha, as "the most horrid exhibition I ever witnessed." The noble +conduct of Botha in prison was a beautiful contrast to the scene in +court. This whole Caffre War had exemplified the blundering of the +British authorities, and was teaching the natives developments, the +issue of which could not be foreseen. As for himself, he writes to Mr. +Moffat, that he was cordially hated, and perhaps he might be pulled up; +but he knew that some of his letters had been read by the Duke of +Wellington and Lord Brougham with pleasure, and, possibly, he might get +justice. He bids his father-in-law not to be surprised if he saw him +abused in the newspapers. + +On the 23d April, 1852, Mrs. Livingstone and the four children sailed +from Cape Town for England. The sending of his children to be brought up +by others was a very great trial, and Dr. Livingstone seized the +opportunity to impress on the Directors that those by whom missionaries +were sent out had a great duty to the children whom their parents were +compelled to send away. Referring to the filthy conversation and ways of +the heathen, he says: + + "Missionaries expose their children to a contamination which + they have had no hand in producing. We expose them and + ourselves for a time in order to elevate those sad captives + of sin and Satan, who are the victims of the degradation of + ages. None of those who complain about missionaries sending + their children home ever descend to this. And again, as Mr. + James in his _Young Man from Home_ forcibly shows, a greater + misfortune cannot befall a youth than to be cast into the + world without a home. In regard to even the vestige of a + home, my children are absolutely vagabonds. When shall we + return to Kolobeng? When to Kuruman? _Never_. The mark of + Cain is on your foreheads, your father is a missionary. Our + children ought to have both the sympathies and prayers of + those at whose bidding we become strangers for life." + +Was there ever a plea more powerful or more just? It is sad to think +that the coldness of Christians at home should have led a man like +Livingstone to fancy that, because his children were the children of a +missionary, they would bear the mark of Cain, and be homeless vagabonds. +Why are we at home so forgetful of the privilege of refreshing the +bowels of those who take their lives in their hands for the love of +Christ, by making a home for their offspring? In a higher state of +Christianity there will be hundreds of the best families at home +delighted, for the love of their Master, to welcome and bring up the +missionary's children. And when the Great Day comes, none will more +surely receive that best of all forms of repayment, "Inasmuch as ye did +it unto the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto Me." + +Livingstone, who had now got the troublesome uvula cut out, was +detained at the Cape nearly two months after his family left. He was so +distrusted by the authorities that they would hardly sell powder and +shot to him, and he had to fight a battle that demanded all his courage +and perseverance for a few boxes of percussion-caps. At the last moment, +a troublesome country postmaster, to whom he had complained of an +overcharge of postage, threatened an action against him for defamation +of character, and, rather than be further detained, deep in debt though +he was, Livingstone had to pay him a considerable sum. His family were +much in his thoughts; he found some relief in writing by every mail. His +letters to his wife are too sacred to be spread before the public; we +confine ourselves to a single extract, to show over what a host of +suppressed emotions he had to march in this expedition: + + "_Cape Town, 5th May_, 1852.--MY DEAREST MARY,--How I miss + you now, and the children! My heart yearns incessantly over + you. How many thoughts of the past crowd into my mind! I feel + as if I would treat you all much more tenderly and lovingly + than ever. You have been a great blessing to me. You attended + to my comfort in many, many ways. May God bless you for all + your kindnesses! I see no face now to be compared with that + sunburnt one which has so often greeted me with its kind + looks. Let us do our duty to our Saviour, and we shall meet + again. I wish that time were now. You may read the letters + over again which I wrote at Mabotsa, the sweet time you know. + As I told you before, I tell you again, they are true, true; + there is not a bit of hypocrisy in them. I never show all my + feelings; but I can say truly, my dearest, that I loved you + when I married you, and the longer I lived with you, I loved + you the better.... Let us do our duty to Christ, and He will + bring us through the world with honor and usefulness. He is + our refuge and high tower; let us trust in Him at all times, + and in all circumstances. Love Him more and more, and diffuse + his love among the children. Take them all round you, and + kiss them for me. Tell them I have left them for the love of + Jesus, and they must love Him too, and avoid sin, for that + displeases Jesus. I shall be delighted to hear of you all + safe in England...." + +A few days later, he writes to his eldest daughter, then in her fifth +year: + + "_Cape Town, 18th May_, 1852.--MY DEAR AGNES,--This is your + own little letter. Mamma will read it to you, and you will + hear her just as if I were speaking to you, for the words + which I write are those which she will read. I am still at + Cape Town. You know you left me there when you all went into + the big ship and sailed away. Well, I shall leave Cape Town + soon. Malatsi has gone for the oxen, and then I shall go away + back to Sebituane's country, and see Seipone and Meriye, who + gave you the beads and fed you with milk and honey. I shall + not see you again for a long time, and I am very sorry. I + have no Nannie now. I have given you back to Jesus, your + Friend--your Papa who is in heaven. He is above you, but He + is always near you. When we ask things from Him, that is + praying to Him; and if you do or say a naughty thing ask Him + to pardon you, and bless you, and make you one of his + children. Love Jesus much, for He loves you, and He came and + died for you. Oh, how good Jesus is! I love Him, and I shall + love Him as long as I live. You must love Him too, and you + must love your brothers and mamma, and never tease them or be + naughty, for Jesus does not like to see + naughtiness.--Good-bye, my dear Nannie, + + D. LIVINGSTON." + +Among his other occupations at Cape Town, Livingstone put himself under +the instructions of the Astronomer-Royal, Mr. (afterward Sir Thomas) +Maclear, who became one of his best and most esteemed friends. His +object was to qualify himself more thoroughly for taking observations +that would give perfect accuracy to his geographical explorations. He +tried English preaching too, but his throat was still tender, and he +felt very nervous, as he had done at Ongar. "What a little thing," he +writes to Mr. Moffat, "is sufficient to bring down to old-wifeishness +such a rough tyke as I consider myself! Poor, proud human nature is a +great fool after all." A second effort was more successful. "I +preached," he writes to his wife, "on the text, 'Why will ye die?' I had +it written out and only referred to it twice, which is an improvement in +English. I hope good was done. The people were very attentive indeed. I +felt less at a loss than in Union Chapel[35]." He arranged with a +mercantile friend, Mr. Rutherfoord, to direct the operations of a native +trader, George Fleming, whom that gentleman was to employ for the +purpose of introducing lawful traffic in order to supplant the +slave-trade. + +[Footnote 35: The manuscript of this sermon still exists. The sermon is +very simple, scriptural, and earnest, in the style of Bishop Ryle, or of +Mr. Moody.] + +It was not till the 8th of June that he left the Cape. His wagon was +loaded to double the usual weight from his good nature in taking +everybody's packages. His oxen were lean, and he was too poor to provide +better. He reached Griqua Town on the 15th August, and Kuruman a +fortnight later. Many things had occasioned unexpected delay, and the +last crowning detention was caused by the breaking down of a wheel. It +turned out, however, that these delays were probably the means of saving +his life. Had they not occurred he would have reached Kolobeng in +August. But this was the very time when the commando of the Boers, +numbering 600 colonists and many natives besides, were busy with the +work of death and destruction. Had he been at Kolobeng, Pretorius would +probably have executed his threat of killing him; at the least he would +have been deprived of all the property that he carried with him, and his +projected enterprise would have been brought to an end. + +In a letter to his wife, Livingstone gives full details of the horrible +outrage perpetrated shortly before by the Boers at Kolobeng: + + "_Kuruman, 20th September_, 1852.--Along with this I send you + a long letter; this I write in order to give you the latest + news. The Boers gutted our house at Kolobeng; they brought + four wagons down and took away sofa, table, bed, all the + crockery, your desk (I hope it had nothing in it--Have you + the letters?), smashed the wooden chairs, took away the iron + ones, tore out the leaves of all the books, and scattered + them in front of the house, smashed the bottles containing + medicines, windows, oven-door, took away the smith-bellows, + anvil, all the tools,--in fact everything worth taking; three + corn-mills, a bag of coffee, for which I paid six pounds, and + lots of coffee, tea, and sugar, which the gentlemen who went + to the north left; took all our cattle and Paul's and + Mebalwe's. They then went up to Limaüe, went to church + morning and afternoon, and heard Mebalwe preach! After the + second service they told Sechéle that they had come to fight, + because he allowed Englishmen to proceed to the North, though + they had repeatedly ordered him not to do so. He replied that + he was a man of peace, that he could not molest Englishmen, + because they had never done him any harm, and always treated + him well. In the morning they commenced firing on the town + with swivels, and set fire to it. The heat forced some of the + women to flee, the men to huddle together on the small hill + in the middle of the town; the smoke prevented them seeing + the Boers, and the cannon killed many, sixty (60) Bakwains. + The Boers then came near to kill and destroy them all, but + the Bakwains killed thirty-five (35), and many horses. They + fought the whole day, but the Boers could not dislodge them. + They stopped firing in the evening, and then the Bakwains + retired on account of having no water. The above sixty are + not all men; women and children are among the slain. The + Boers were 600, and they had 700 natives with them. All the + corn is burned. Parties went out and burned Bangwaketse town, + and swept off all the cattle. Sebubi's cattle are all gone. + All the Bakhatla cattle gone. Neither Bangwaketse nor + Bakhatla fired a shot. All the corn burned of the whole three + tribes. Everything edible is taken from them. How will they + live! They told Sechéle that the Queen had given off the land + to them, and henceforth they were the masters,--had abolished + chieftainship. Sir Harry Smith tried the same, and England + has paid two millions of money to catch one chief, and he is + still as free as the winds of heaven. How will it end? I + don't know, but I will tell you the beginning. There are two + parties of Boers gone to the Lake. These will to a dead + certainty be cut off. They amount to thirty-six men. Parties + are sent now in pursuit of them. The Bakwains will plunder + and murder the Boers without mercy, and by and by the Boers + will ask the English Government to assist them to put down + rebellion, and of this rebellion I shall have, of course, to + bear the blame. They often expressed a wish to get hold of + me. I wait here a little in order to get information when the + path is clear. Kind Providence detained me from falling into + the very thick of it. God will preserve me still. He has work + for me or He would have allowed me to go in just when the + Boers were there. We shall remove more easily now that we are + lightened of our furniture. They have taken away our sofa. I + never had a good rest on it. We had only got it ready when we + left. Well, they can't have taken away all the stones. We + shall have a seat in spite of them, and that, too, with a + merry heart which doeth good like a medicine. I wonder what + the Peace Society would do with these worthies. They are + Christians. The Dutch predicants baptise all their children, + and admit them to the Lord's Supper...." + +Dr. Livingstone was not disposed to restrain his indignation and grief +over his losses. For one so patient and good, he had a very large vial +of indignation, and on occasion poured it out right heartily over all +injustice and cruelty. On no heads was it ever discharged more freely +than on these Transvaal Boers. He made a formal representation of his +losses both to the Cape and Home authorities, but never received a +farthing of compensation. The subsequent history of the Transvaal +Republic will convince many that Livingstone was not far from the truth +in his estimate of the character of the free and independent Boers. + +But while perfectly sincere in his indignation over the treatment of the +natives and his own losses, his playful fancy could find a ludicrous +side for what concerned himself, and grim enjoyment in showing it to his +friends. "Think," he writes to his friend Watt, "think of a big fat +Boeress drinking coffee out of my kettle, and then throwing her tallowy +corporeity on my sofa, or keeping her needles in my wife's writing-desk! +Ugh! and then think of foolish John Bull paying so many thousands a year +for the suppression of the slave-trade, and allowing Commissioner Aven +to make treaties with Boers who carry on the slave-trade.... The Boers +are mad with rage against me because my people fought bravely. It was I, +they think, who taught them to shoot Boers. Fancy your reverend friend +teaching the young idea how to shoot Boers, and praying for a blessing +on the work of his hands!" + +In the same spirit he writes to his friend Moore: + + "I never knew I was so rich until I recounted up the + different articles that were taken away. They cannot be + replaced in this country under £300. Many things brought to + our establishment by my better-half were of considerable + value. Of all I am now lightened, and they want to ease me of + my head.... The Boers kill the blacks without compunction, + and without provocation, because they believe they have no + souls.... Viewing the dispensation apart from the extreme + wickedness of the Boers, it seemed a judgment on the blacks + for their rejection of the gospel. They have verily done + despite unto the Spirit of grace.... Their enmity was not + manifested to us, but to the gospel. I am grieved for them, + and still hope that the good seed will yet vegetate[36]." + +[Footnote 36: This letter to Mr. Moore contains a trait of Livingstone, +very trifling in the occasion out of which it arose, but showing vividly +the nature of the man. He had promised to send Mr. Moore's little son +some curiosities, but had forgotten when his family went to England. +Being reminded of his promise in a postscript the little fellow had +added to a letter from his father, Livingstone is "overwhelmed with +shame and confusion of face." He feels he has disappointed the boy and +forgotten his promise. Again and again Livingstone returns to the +subject, and feels assured that his young friend would forgive him if he +knew how much he suffered for his fault. That in the midst of his own +overwhelming troubles he should feel so much for the disappointment of a +little heart in England, shows how terrible a thing it was to him to +cause needless pain, and how profoundly it distressed him to seem +forgetful of a promise. Years afterward he wrote that he had brought an +elephant's tail for Henry, but one of the men stole all the hairs and +sold them. He had still a tusk of a hippopotamus for him, and a tooth +for his brother, but he had brought no curiosities, for he could +scarcely get along himself.] + +But while he could relax playfully at the thought of the desolation at +Kolobeng, he knew how to make it the occasion likewise of high resolves. +The Boers, as he wrote the Directors, were resolved to shut up the +interior. He was determined, with God's help, to open the country. Time +would show which would be most successful in resolution,--they or he. To +his brother-in-law he wrote that he would open a path through the +country, _or perish_. + +As for the contest with the Boers, we may smile at their impotent wrath. +It is a singular fact, that while Sechéle still retains the position of +an independent chief, the republic of the Boers has passed away. It is +now part of the British Empire. + +The country was so unsettled that for a long time Dr. Livingstone could +not get guides at Kuruman to go with him to Sebituane's. At length, +however, he succeeded, and leaving Kuruman finally about the end of +December, 1852, in company with George Fleming, Mr. Rutherfoord's +trader, he set out in a new direction, to the west of the old, in order +to give a wide berth to the Boers. Traveling rapidly he passed through +Sebituane's country, and in June, 1858, arrived at Linyanti, the capital +of the Makololo. He wrote to his wife that he had been very anxious to +go to Kolobeng and see with his own eyes the destruction wrought by the +savages. He had a great longing, too, to visit once more the grave of +Elizabeth, their infant daughter, but he heard that the Boers were in +the neighborhood, and were anxious to catch him, and he thought it best +not to go. Two years before, he had been at Linyanti with Mr. Oswell. +Many details of the new journey are given in the _Missionary Travels_, +which it is unnecessary to repeat, It may be enough to state that he +found the country flooded, and that on the way it was no unusual thing +for him to be wet all day, and to walk through swamps, and water three +or four feet deep. Trees, thorns, and reeds offered tremendous +resistance, and he and his people must have presented a pitiable sight +when forcing their way through reeds with cutting edges. "With our own +hands all raw and bloody, and knees through our trousers, we at length +emerged." It was a happy thought to tear his pocket-handkerchief into +two parts and tie them over his knees. "I remember," he says in his +Journal, referring to last year's journey, "the toil which our friend +Oswell endured on our account. He never spared himself." It is not to be +supposed that his guides were happy in such a march; it required his +tact stretched to its very utmost to prevent them from turning back. "At +the Malopo," he writes to his wife, "there were other dangers besides. +When walking before the wagon in the morning twilight, I observed a +lioness about fifty yards from me, in the squatting way they walk when +going to spring. She was followed by a very large lion, but seeing the +wagon, she turned back." Though he escaped fever at first, he had +repeated attacks afterward, and had to be constantly using remedies +against it. The unhealthiness of the region to Europeans forced itself +painfully on his attention, and made him wonder in what way God would +bring the light of the gospel to the poor inhabitants. As a physician +his mind was much occupied with the nature of the disease, and the way +to cure it. If only he could discover a remedy for that scourge of +Africa, what an invaluable boon would he confer on its +much-afflicted people! + + "I would like," he says in his Journal, "to devote a portion + of my life to the discovery of a remedy for that terrible + disease, the African fever[37]. I would go into the parts + where it prevails most, and try to discover if the natives + have a remedy for it. I must make many inquiries of the river + people in this quarter. What an unspeakable mercy it is to be + permitted to engage in this most holy and honorable work! + What an infinity of lots in the world are poor, miserable, + and degraded compared with mine! I might have been a common + soldier, a day-laborer, a factory operative, a mechanic, + instead of a missionary. If my faculties had been left to run + riot or to waste as those of so many young men, I should now + have been used up, a dotard, as many of my school-fellows + are. I am respected by the natives, their kind expressions + often make me ashamed, and they are sincere. So much + deference and favor manifested without any effort on my part + to secure it comes from the Author of every good gift. I + acknowledge the mercies of the great God with devout and + reverential gratitude." + +[Footnote 37: Livingstone's Remedy for African fever. See Appendix No. +II.] + +Dr. Livingstone had declined a considerate proposal that another +missionary should accompany him, and deliberately resolved to go this +great journey alone. He knew, in fact, that except Mr. Moffat, who was +busy with his translation of the Bible, no other missionary would go +with him[38]. But in the absence of all to whom he could unburden his +spirit, we find him more freely than usual pouring out his feelings in +his Journal, and it is but an act of justice to himself that it should +be made known how his thoughts were running, with so bold and difficult +an undertaking before him: + +[Footnote 38: Dr. Moffat informs us that Livingstone's desire for his +company was most intense, and that he pressed him in such a way as would +have been irresistible, had his going been possible. But for his +employment in translating, Dr. Moffat would have gone with all +his heart.] + + _28th September,_ 1852.--Am I on my way to die in Sebituane's + country? Have I seen the end of my wife and children? The + breaking up of all my connections with earth, leaving this + fair and beautiful world, and knowing so little of it? I am + only learning the alphabet of it yet, and entering on an + untried state of existence. Following Him who has entered in + before me into the cloud, the veil, the Hades, is a serious + prospect. Do we begin again in our new existence to learn + much by experience, or have we full powers? My soul, whither + wilt thou emigrate? Where wilt thou lodge the first night + after leaving this body? Will an angel soothe thy fluttering, + for sadly flurried wilt thou be in entering upon eternity? + Oh! if Jesus speak one word of peace, that will establish in + thy breast an everlasting calm! O Jesus, fill me with Thy + love now, and I beseech Thee, accept me, and use me a little + for Thy glory. I have done nothing for Thee yet, and I would + like to do something. O do, do, I beseech Thee, accept me and + my service, and take Thou all the glory...." + + "_23d January_, 1853,--I think much of my poor children...." + + "_4th February_, 1853.--I am spared in health, while all the + company have been attacked by the fever. If God has accepted + my service, then my life is charmed till my work is done. And + though I pass through many dangers unscathed while working + the work given me to do, when that is finished, some simple + thing will give me my quietus. Death is a glorious event to + one going to Jesus. Whither does the soul wing its way? What + does it see first? There is something sublime in passing into + the second stage of our immortal lives if washed from our + sins. But oh! to be consigned to ponder over all our sins + with memories excited, every scene of our lives held up as in + a mirror before our eyes, and we looking at them and waiting + for the day of judgment!" + + "_17th February_.--It is not the encountering of difficulties + and dangers in obedience to the promptings of the inward + spiritual life, which constitutes tempting of God and + Providence; but the acting without faith, proceeding on our + own errands with no previous convictions of duty, and no + prayer for aid and direction." + + "_22d May_.--I will place no value on anything I have or may + possess, except in relation to the kingdom of Christ. If + anything will advance the interests of that kingdom, it shall + be given away or kept, only as by giving or keeping of it I + shall most promote the glory of Him to whom I owe all my + hopes in time and eternity. May grace and strength sufficient + to enable me to adhere faithfully to this resolution be + imparted to me, so that in truth, not in name only, all my + interests and those of my children may be identified with + his cause.... I will try and remember always to approach God + in secret with as much reverence in speech, posture, and + behavior as in public. Help me, Thou who knowest my frame and + pitiest as a father his children." + +When Livingstone reached the Makololo, a change had taken place in the +government of the tribe. Ma-mochisane, the daughter of Sebituane, had +not been happy in her chiefdom, and had found it difficult to get along +with the number of husbands whom her dignity as chief required her to +maintain. She had given over the government to her brother Sekelétu, a +youth of eighteen, who was generally recognized, though not without some +reluctance, by his brother, Mpepe. Livingstone could not have foreseen +how Sekelétu would receive him, but to his great relief and satisfaction +he found him actuated by the most kindly feelings. He found him, boy as +he was, full of vague expectations of benefits, marvelous and +miraculous, which the missionaries were to bring. It was Livingstone's +first work to disabuse his mind of these expectations, and let him +understand that his supreme object was to teach them the way of +salvation through Jesus Christ. To a certain extent Sekelétu was +interested in this: + + "He asked many sensible questions about the system of + Christianity in connection with the putting away of wives. + They are always furnished with objections sooner than with + the information. I commended him for asking me, and will + begin a course of instruction to-morrow. He fears that + learning to read will change his heart, and make him put away + his wives. Much depends on his decision. May God influence + his heart to decide aright!" + +Two days after Livingstone says in his Journal: + + "_1st June_.--The chief presented eight large and three small + tusks this morning. I told him and his people I would rather + see them trading than giving them to me. They replied that + they would get trade with George Fleming, and that, too, as + soon as he was well; but these they gave to their father, and + they were just as any other present. They asked after the + gun-medicine, believing that now my heart would be warm + enough to tell them anything, but I could not tell them a + lie. I offered to show Sekelétu how to shoot, and that was + all the medicine I knew. I felt as if I should have been more + pleased had George been amassing ivory than I. Yet this may + be an indispensable step in the progress toward opening the + west. I must have funds; and here they come pouring in. It + would be impossible to overlook his providence who has + touched their hearts. I have used no undue influence. Indeed + I have used none directly for the purpose Kindness shown has + been appreciated here, while much greater kindness shown to + tribes in the south has resulted in a belief we missionaries + must be fools. I do thank my God sincerely for his favor, and + my hearty prayer is that He may continue it, and make + whatever use He pleases of me, and may He have mercy on this + people!" + +Dr. Livingstone was careful to guard against the supposition that he +allowed Sekelétu to enrich him without recompense, and in his Journal he +sets down a list of the various articles presented by himself to the +chief, including three goats, some fowls, powder, wire, flints, +percussion-caps, an umbrella and a hat, the value of the whole being +£31, 16s. When Sekelétu knew Dr. Livingstone's plans, he undertook that +he should be provided with all requisites for his journey. But he was +most anxious to retain him, and for some time would not let him go. +Livingstone had fascinated him. Sekelétu said that he had found a new +father. And Livingstone pondered the possibility of establishing a +station here. But the fever, the fever! could he bring his family? He +must pass on and look for a healthier spot. His desire was to proceed to +the country of the Barotse. At length, on the 16th June, Sekelétu gives +his answer: + + "The chief has acceded to my request to proceed to Barotse + and see the country. I told him my heart was sore, because + having left my family to explore his land, and, if possible, + find a suitable location for a mission, I could not succeed, + because detained by him here. He says he will take me with + him. He does not like to part with me at all. He is obliged + to consult with those who gave their opinion against my + leaving. But it is certain I am permitted to go. Thanks be to + God for influencing their hearts!" + +Before we set out with the chief on this journey, it will be well to +give a few extracts from Livingstone's Journal, showing how unwearied +were his efforts to teach the people: + + "_Banks of Chobe, Sunday, May 15th_.--Preached twice to about + sixty people. Very attentive. It is only divine power which + can enlighted dark minds as these.... The people seem to + receive ideas on divine subjects slowly. They listen, but + never suppose that the truths must become embodied in actual + life. They will wait until the chief becomes a Christian, and + if he believes, then they refuse to follow,--as was the case + among the Bakwains. Procrastination seems as powerful an + instrument of deception here as elsewhere." + + "_Sunday, 12th June_.--A good and very attentive audience. We + introduce entirely new motives, and were these not perfectly + adapted for the human mind and heart by their divine Author, + we should have no success." + + "_Sunday, 19th June_.--A good and attentive audience, but + immediately after the service I went to see a sick man, and + when I returned toward the Kotla, I found the chief had + retired into a hut to drink beer; and, as the custom is, + about forty men were standing singing to him, or, in other + words, begging beer by that means. A minister who had not + seen so much pioneer service as I have done would have been + shocked to see so little effect produced by an earnest + discourse concerning the future judgment, but time must be + given to allow the truth to sink into the dark mind, and + produce its effect. The earth shall be filled with the + knowledge of the glory of the Lord--that is enough. We can + afford to work in faith, for Omnipotence is pledged to + fulfill the promise. The great mountains become a plain + before the Almighty arm. The poor Bushman, the most degraded + of all Adam's family, shall see his glory, and the dwellers + in the wilderness shall bow before Him. The obstacles to the + coming of the Kingdom are mighty, but come it will for + all that; + + "Then let us pray that come it may, + As come, it will for a' that, + That man to man the world o'er + Shall brothers be for a' that.' + + "The hard and cold unbelief which distinguished the last + century, and which is still aped by would-be philosophers in + the present, would sneer at our faith, and call it + superstition, enthusiasm, etc. But were we believers in human + progress and no more, there must be a glorious future for our + world. Our dreams must come true, even though they are no + more than dreams. The world is rolling on to the golden + age.... Discoveries and Inventions are cumulative. Another + century must present a totally different aspect from the + present. And when we view the state of the world and its + advancing energies, in the light afforded by childlike, or + call it childish, faith, we see the earth filling with the + knowledge of the glory of God,--ay, all nations seeing his + glory and bowing before Him whose right it is to reign. Our + work and its fruits are cumulative. We work toward another + state of things. Future missionaries will be rewarded by + conversions for every sermon. We are their pioneers and + helpers. Let them not forget the watchmen of the night--us, + who worked when all was gloom, and no evidence of success in + the way of conversion cheered our paths. They will doubtless + have more light than we, but we served our Master earnestly, + and proclaimed the same gospel as they will do." + +Of the services which Livingstone held with the people, we have the +following picture; + + "When I stand up, all the women and children draw near, and, + having ordered silence, I explain the plan of salvation, the + goodness of God in sending his Son to die, the confirmation + of his mission by miracles, the last judgment or future + state, the evil of sin, God's commands respecting it, etc.; + always choosing one subject only for an address, and taking + care to make it short and plain, and applicable to them. This + address is listened to with great attention by most of the + audience. A short prayer concludes the service, all kneeling + down, and remaining so till told to rise. At first we have to + enjoin on the women who have children to remain sitting, for + when they kneel, they squeeze their children, and a + simultaneous skirl is set up by the whole troop of + youngsters, who make the prayer inaudible." + +When Livingstone and Sekelétu had gone about sixty miles on the way to +the Barotse, they encountered Mpepe, Sekelétu's half-brother and secret +rival. It turned out that Mpepe had a secret plan for killing Sekelétu, +and that three times on the day of their meeting that plan was +frustrated by apparently accidental causes. On one of these occasions, +Livingstone, by covering Sekelétu, prevented him from being speared. +Mpepe's treachery becoming known, he was arrested by Sekelétu's people, +and promptly put to death. The episode was not agreeable, but it +illustrated savage life. It turned out that Mpepe favored the +slave-trade, and was closely engaged with certain Portuguese traders in +intrigues for establishing and extending it. Had Sekelétu been killed, +Livingstone's enterprise would certainly have been put an end to, and +very probably likewise Livingstone himself. + +The party, numbering about one hundred and sixty, proceeded up the +beautiful river which on his former visit Livingstone had first known as +the Seshéke, but which was called by the Barotse the Liambai or +Leeambye. The term means "the large river," and Luambeji, Luambesi, +Ambezi, Yimbezi, and Zambezi are names applied to it at different parts +of its course. In the progress of their journey they came to the town of +the father of Mpepe, where, most unexpectedly, Livingstone encountered a +horrible scene. Mpepe's father and another headman were known to have +favored the plan for the murder of Sekelétu, and were therefore objects +of fear to the latter. When all were met, and Mpepe's father was +questioned why he did not stop his son's proceedings, Sekelétu suddenly +sprang to his feet and gave the two men into custody. All had been +planned beforehand. Forthwith they were led away, surrounded by +Sekelétu's warriors, all dream of opposition on their part being as +useless as interference would have been on Livingstone's. Before his +eyes he saw them hewn to; pieces with axes, and cast into the river to +be devoured by the alligators. Within two hours of their arrival the +whole party had left the scene of this shocking tragedy, Livingstone +being so horrified that he could not remain. He did his best to show the +sin of blood-guiltiness, and bring before the people the scene of the +Last Judgment, which was the only thing that seemed to make any +impression. + +Farther on his way he had an interview with Ma-mochisane, the daughter +of Sebituane who had resigned in favor of Sekelétu. He was the first +white man she had ever seen. The interview was pleasing and not without +touches of womanly character; the poor woman had felt an _embarras de +richesses_ in the matter of husbands, and was very uncomfortable when +married women complained of her taking their spouses from them. Her soul +recoiled from the business; she wished to have a husband of her own and +to be like other women. + +So anxious was Livingstone to find a healthy locality, that, leaving +Sekelétu, he proceeded to the farthest limit of the Barotse country, but +no healthy place could be found. It is plain, however, that in spite of +all risk, and much as he suffered from the fever, he was planning, if no +better place could be found, to return himself to Linyanti and be the +Makololo missionary. Not just immediately, however. Having failed in the +first object of his journey--to find a healthy locality--he was resolved +to follow out the second, and endeavor to discover a highway to the sea. +First he would try the west coast, and the point for which he would make +was St. Paul de Loanda. He might have found a nearer way, but a +Portuguese trader whom he had met, and from whom he had received +kindness, was going by that route to St. Philip de Benguela. The trader +was implicated in the slave-trade, and Livingstone knew what a +disadvantage it would be either to accompany or to follow him. He +therefore returned to Linyanti; and there began preparations for the +journey to Loanda on the coast. + +During the time thus spent in the Barotse country, Livingstone saw +heathenism in its most unadulterated form. It was a painful, loathsome, +and horrible spectacle. His views of the Fall and of the corruption of +human nature were certainly not lightened by the sight. In his Journal +he is constantly letting fall expressions of weariness at the noise, the +excitement, the wild savage dancing, the heartless cruelty, the utter +disregard of feelings, the destruction of children, the drudgery of the +old people, the atrocious murders with which he was in contact. +Occasionally he would think of other scenes of travel; if a friend, for +example, were going to Palestine, he would say how gladly he would kiss +the dust that had been trod by the Man of Sorrows. One day a poor girl +comes hungry and naked to the wagons, and is relieved from time to time; +then disappears to die in the woods of starvation or be torn in pieces +by the hyenas. Another day, as he is preaching, a boy, walking along +with his mother, is suddenly seized by a man, utters a shriek as if his +heart had burst, and becomes, as Livingstone finds, a hopeless slave. +Another time, the sickening sight is a line of slaves attached by a +chain. That chain haunts and harrows him. + +Amid all his difficulties he patiently pursued his work as missionary. +Twice every Sunday he preached, usually to good audiences, the number +rising on occasions so high as a thousand. It was a great work to sow +the good seed so widely, where no Christian man had ever been, +proclaiming every Lord's Day to fresh ears the message of Divine love. +Sometimes he was in great hopes that a true impression had been made. +But usually, whenever the service was over, the wild savage dance with +all its demon noises succeeded, and the missionary could but look on and +sigh. So ready was he for labor that when he could get any willing to +learn, he commenced teaching them the alphabet. But he was continually +met by the notion that his religion was a religion of medicines, and +that all the good it could do was by charms. Intellectual culture seemed +indispensable to dissipate this inveterate superstition regarding +Christian influence. + +A few extracts from his Journal in the Barotse country will more vividly +exhibit his state of mind: + + "_27th August_, 1853.--The more intimately I become + acquainted with barbarians, the more disgusting does + heathenism become. It is inconceivably vile. They are always + boasting of their fierceness, yet dare not visit another + tribe for fear of being killed. They never visit anywhere but + for the purpose of plunder and oppression. They never go + anywhere but with a club or spear in hand. It is lamentable + to see those who might be children of God, dwelling in peace + and love, so utterly the children of the devil, dwelling in + fear and continual irritation. They bestow honors and + flattering titles on me in confusing profusion. All from the + least to the greatest call me Father, Lord, etc., and bestow + food without recompense, out of pure kindness. They need a + healer. May God enable me to be such to them.... + + "_31st August_.--The slave-trade seems pushed into the very + centre of the continent from both sides. It must be + profitable.... + + "_September 25, Sunday_.--A quiet audience to-day. The seed + being sown, the least of all seeds now, but it will grow a + mighty tree. It is as it were a small stone cut out of a + mountain, but it will fill the whole earth. He that believeth + shall not make haste. Surely if God can bear with hardened + impenitent sinners for thirty, forty, or fifty years, waiting + to be gracious, we may take it for granted that his is the + best way. He could destroy his enemies, but He waits to be + gracious. To become irritated with their stubbornness and + hardness of heart is ungodlike.... + + "_13th October_.--Missionaries ought to cultivate a taste for + the beautiful. We are necessarily compelled to contemplate + much moral impurity and degradation. We are so often doomed + to disappointment. We are apt to become either callous or + melancholy, or, if preserved from these, the constant strain + on the sensibilities is likely to injure the bodily health. + On this account it seems necessary to cultivate that faculty + for the gratification of which God has made such universal + provision. See the green earth and blue sky, the lofty + mountain and the verdant valley, the glorious orbs of day and + night, and the starry canopy with all their celestial + splendor, the graceful flowers so chaste in form and perfect + in coloring. The various forms of animated life present to + him whose heart is at peace with God through the blood of his + Son an indescribable charm. He sees in the calm beauties of + nature such abundant provision for the welfare of humanity + and animate existence. There appears on the quiet repose of + earth's scenery the benignant smile of a Father's love. The + sciences exhibit such wonderful intelligence and design in + all their various ramifications, some time ought to be + devoted to them before engaging in missionary work. The heart + may often be cheered by observing the operation of an + ever-present intelligence, and we may feel that we are + leaning on his bosom while living in a world clothed in + beauty, and robed with the glorious perfections of its maker + and preserver. We must feel that there is a Governor among + the nations who will bring all his plans with respect to our + human family to a glorious consummation. He who stays his + mind on his ever-present, ever-energetic God, will not fret + himself because of evil-doers. He that believeth shall not + make haste." + + "_26th October_.--I have not yet met with a beautiful woman + among the black people, and I have seen many thousands in a + great variety of tribes. I have seen a few who might be + called passable, but none at all to be compared to what one + may meet among English servant-girls. Some beauties are said + to be found among the Caffres, but among the people I have + seen I cannot conceive of any European being captivated with + them. The whole of my experience goes toward proving that + civilization alone produces beauty, and exposure to the + weather and other vicissitudes tend to the production of + deformation and ugliness.... + + "_28th October_.--The conduct of the people whom we have + brought from Kuruman shows that no amount of preaching or + instruction will insure real piety.... The old superstitions + cannot be driven out of their minds by faith implanted by + preaching. They have not vanished in either England or + Scotland yet, after the lapse of centuries of preaching. + Kuruman, the entire population of which amounted in 1853 to + 638 souls, enjoys and has enjoyed the labors of at least two + missionaries,--four sermons, two prayer-meetings, infant + schools, adult schools, sewing schools, classes, books, etc., + and the amount of visible success is very gratifying, a + remarkable change indeed from the former state of these + people. Yet the dregs of heathenism still cleave fast to the + minds of the majority. They have settled deep down into their + souls, and one century will not be sufficient to elevate them + to the rank of Christians in Britain. The double influence of + the spirit of commerce and the gospel of Christ has given an + impulse to the civilization of men. The circulation of ideas + and commodities over the face of the earth, and the discovery + of the gold regions, have given enhanced rapidity to commerce + in other countries, and the diffusion of knowledge. But what + for Africa? God will do something else for it; something just + as wonderful and unexpected as the discovery of gold." + +It needs not to be said that his thoughts were very often with his wife +and children. A tender letter to the four little ones shows that though +some of them might be beginning to forget him, their names were written +imperishably on his heart: + + "_Sekelétu's Town, Linyanti, 2d October_.--MY DEAR ROBERT, + AGNES, AND THOMAS AND OSWELL,--Here is another little letter + for you all. I should like to see you much more than write to + you, and speak with my tongue rather than with my pen; but we + are far from each other--very, very far. Here are Seipone, + and Meriye and others who saw you as the first white children + they ever looked at. Meriye came the other day and brought a + round basket for Nannie. She made it of the leaves of the + palmyra. Others put me in mind of you all by calling me + Rananee, and Rarobert, and there is a little Thomas in the + town, and when I think of you I remember, though I am far + off, Jesus, our good and gracious Jesus, is ever near both + you and me, and then I pray to Him to bless you and make + you good. + + "He is ever near. Remember this if you feel angry or naughty. + Jesus is near you, and sees you, and He is so good and kind. + When He was among men, those who heard Him speak said, 'Never + man spake like this man,' and we now say, 'Never did man love + like Him.' You see little Zouga is carried on mamma's bosom. + You are taken care of by Jesus with as much care as mamma + takes of Zouga. He is always watching you and keeping you in + safety. It is very bad to sin, to do any naughty things, or + speak angry or naughty words before Him. + + "My dear children, take Him as your Guide, your Helper, your + Friend, and Saviour through life. Whatever you are troubled + about ask Him to keep you. Our God is good. We thank Him that + we have such a Saviour and Friend as He is. Now you are + little, but you will not always be so, hence you must learn + to read and write and work. All clever men can both read and + write, and Jesus needs clever men to do his work. Would you + not like to work for Him among men? Jesus is wishing to send + his gospel to all nations, and He needs clever men to do + this. Would you like to serve Him? Well, you must learn now, + and not get tired learning. After some time you will like + learning better than playing, but you must play, too, in + order to make your bodies strong and be able to serve Jesus. + + "I am glad to hear that you go to the academy. I hope you are + learning fast. Don't speak Scotch. It is not so pretty as + English. Is the Tau learning to read with mamma? I hope you + are all kind to mamma. I saw a poor woman in a chain with + many others, up at the Barotse. She had a little child, and + both she and her child were very thin. See how kind Jesus was + to you. No one can put you in chains unless you become bad. + If, however, you learn bad ways, beginning only by saying bad + words or doing little bad things, Satan will have you in the + chains of sin, and you will be hurried on in his bad ways + till you are put into the dreadful place which God hath + prepared for him and all who are like him. Pray to Jesus to + deliver you from sin, give you new hearts, and make you his + children. Kiss Zouga, mamma, and each other for me.--Your + ever affectionate father, + + "D. LIVINGSTON." + +A letter to his father and other relations at Hamilton, 30th September, +1853, is of a somewhat apologetic and explanatory cast. Some of the +friends had the notion that he should have settled somewhere, +"preaching the simple gospel," and converting people by every sermon: + + "You see what they make of the gospel, and my conversation on + it, in which my inmost Heart yearned for their conversion. + Many now think Jesus and Sebituane very much the same sort of + person. I was prevented by fever and other matters from at + once following up the glorious object of this journey: viz., + while preaching the gospel beyond every other man's line of + things made ready to our hands, to discover a healthy + location for a mission, and I determined to improve the time + by teaching to read. This produced profound deliberation and + lengthened palavers, and at length the chief told me that he + feared learning to read would change his heart and make him + content with one wife like Sechéle. He has four. It was in + vain I urged that the change contemplated made the affair as + voluntary as if he would now change his mind from four to + thirty, as his father had. He could not realize the change + that would give relish to any other system than the present. + He felt as the man who is mentioned by Serles as saying he + would not like to go to heaven to be employed for ever + singing and praising on a bare cloud without anything to eat + or drink.... + + "The conversion of a few, however valuable their souls may + be, cannot be put into the scale against the knowledge of the + truth spread over the whole country. In this I do and will + exult. As in India, we are doomed to perpetual + disappointment; but the knowledge of Christ spreads over the + masses. We are like voices crying in the wilderness. We + prepare the way for a glorious future in which missionaries + telling the same tale of love will convert by every sermon. I + am trying now to establish the Lord's kingdom in a region + wider by far than Scotland. Fever seems to forbid; but I + shall work for the glory of Christ's kingdom--fever or no + fever. All the intelligent men who direct our society and + understand the nature of my movements support me warmly. A + few, I understand, in Africa, in writing home, have styled my + efforts as 'wanderings.' The very word contains a lie coiled + like a serpent in its bosom. It means traveling without an + object, or uselessly. I am now performing the duty of writing + you. If this were termed 'dawdling,' it would be as true as + the other.... I have actually seen letters to the Directors + in which I am gravely charged with holding the views of the + Plymouth Brethren, So very sure am I that I am in the path + which God's Providence has pointed out, as that by which + Christ's kingdom is to be promoted, that if the Society + should object, I would consider it my duty to withdraw + from it.... + + _"P.S._--My throat became well during the long silence of + traveling across the desert. It plagues again now that I am + preaching in a moist climate." + +Dr. Livingstone now began his preparations for the journey from +Linyanti to Loanda. Sekelétu was kind and generous. The road was +impracticable for wagons, and the native trader, George Fleming, +returned to Kuruman, The Kuruman guides had not done well, so that +Livingstone resolved to send them back, and to get Makololo men instead. +Here is the record of his last Sunday at Linyanti: + + "_6th Nov., 1853_.--Large audience. Kuruman people don't + attend. If it is a fashion to be church-going, many are drawn + into its observance. But placed in other circumstances, the + true character comes out. This is the case with many + Scotchmen. May God so imbue my mind with the spirit of + Christianity that in all circumstances I may show my + Christian character! Had a long conversation with Motlube, + chiefly on a charm for defending the town or for gun + medicine. They think I know it but will not impart the secret + to them. I used every form of expression to undeceive him, + but to little purpose. Their belief in medicine which will + enable them to shoot well is very strong, and simple trust in + an unseen Saviour to defend them against such enemies as the + Matebele is too simple for them. I asked if a little charcoal + sewed up in a bag were a more feasible protector than He who + made all things, and told them that one day they would laugh + heartily at their own follies in bothering me so much for gun + medicine. A man who has never had to do with a raw heathen + tribe has yet to learn the Missionary A B C." + +On the 8th he writes: + + "Our intentions are to go up the Leeba till we reach the + falls, then send back the canoe and proceed in the country + beyond as best we can. Matiamvo is far beyond, but the + Cassantse (probably Cassange) live on the west of the river. + May God in mercy permit me to do something for the cause of + Christ in these dark places of the earth! May He accept my + children for his service, and sanctify them for it! My + blessing on my wife. May God comfort her! If my watch comes + back after I am cut off, it belongs to Agnes. If my sextant, + it is Robert's. The Paris medal to Thomas. Double-barreled + gun to Zouga. Be a Father to the fatherless, and a Husband to + the widow, for Jesus' sake." + +The probability of his falling was full in his view. But the thought was +ever in his mind, and ever finding expression in letters both to the +Missionary and the Geographical Societies, and to all his +friends,--"Can the love of Christ not carry the missionary where the +slave-trade carries the trader?" His wagon and goods were left with +Sekelétu, and also the Journal from which these extracts are taken[39]. +It was well for him that his conviction of duty was clear as noonday. A +year after, he wrote to his father-in-law: + +[Footnote 39: This Journal is mentioned in the _Missionary Travels_ as +having been lost (p. 229). It was afterward recovered. It contains, +among other things, some important notes on Natural History.] + + I had fully made up my mind as to the path of duty before + starting. I wrote to my brother-in-law, Robert Moffat: 'I + shall open up a path into the interior, or perish.' I never + have had the shadow of a shade of doubt as to the propriety + of my course, and wish only that my exertions may be honored + so far that the gospel may be preached and believed in all + this dark region." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +FROM LINYANTI TO LOANDA. + +A.D. 1853-1854. + +Difficulties and hardships of journey--His traveling kit--Four +books--His Journal--Mode of traveling--Beauty of country--Repulsiveness +of the people--Their religious belief--The negro--Preaching--The +magic-lantern--Loneliness of feeling--Slave-trade--Management of the +natives--Danger from Chiboque--from another chief--Livingstone ill of +fever--At the Quango--Attachment of followers--"The good time +coming"--Portuguese settlements--Great kindness of the +Portuguese--Arrives at Loanda--Received by Mr. Gabriel--His great +friendship--No letters--News through Mr. Gabriel--Livingstone becomes +aquainted with naval officers--Resolves to go back to Linyanti and make +for East Coast--Letter to his wife--Correspondence with Mr. +Maclear--Accuracy of his observations--Sir John Herschel--Geographical +Society award their gold metal--Remarks of Lord Ellesmere. + + +The journey from Linyanti to Loanda occupied from the 11th November, +1853, to 31st May, 1854. It was in many ways the most difficult and +dangerous that Livingstone had yet performed, and it drew out in a very +wonderful manner the rare combination of qualities that fitted him for +his work. The route had never been traversed, so far as any trustworthy +tradition went, by any European. With the exception of a few of +Sekelétu's tusks, the oxen needed for carrying, and a trifling amount of +coffee, cloth, beads, etc., Livingstone had neither stores of food for +his party, nor presents with which to propitiate the countless tribes of +rapacious and suspicious savages that lined his path. The Barotse men +who accompanied him, usually called the "Makololo," though on the whole +faithful and patient, "the best that ever accompanied me," were a burden +in one sense, as much as a help in another; chicken-hearted, ready to +succumb to every trouble, and to be cowed by any chief that wore a +threatening face. Worse if possible, Livingstone himself was in wretched +health. During this part of the journey he had constant attacks of +intermittent fever[40], accompanied in the latter stages of the road +with dysentery of the most distressing kind. In the intervals of fever +he was often depressed alike in body and in mind. Often the party were +destitute of food of any sort, and never had they food suitable for a +fever-stricken invalid. The vexations he encountered were of no common +kind: at starting, the greater part of his medicines was stolen, much +though he needed them; in the course of the journey, his pontoon was +left behind; at one time, while he was under the influence of fever, his +riding-ox threw him, and he fell heavily on his head; at another, while +crossing a river, the ox tossed him into the water; the heavy rains, and +the necessity of wading through streams three or four times a day, kept +him almost constantly wet; and occasionally, to vary the annoyance, +mosquitos would assail him as fiercely as if they had been waging a war +of extermination. The most critical moments of peril, demanding the +utmost coolness and most dauntless courage, would sometimes occur during +the stage of depression after fever; it was then he had to extricate +himself from savage warriors, who vowed that he must go back, unless he +gave them an ox, a gun, or a man. The ox he could ill spare, the gun not +at all, and as for giving the last--a man--to make a slave of, he would +sooner die. At the best, he was a poor ragged skeleton when he reached +those who had hearts to feel for him and hands to help him. Had he not +been a prodigy of patience, faith, and courage, had he not known where +to find help in all time of his tribulation, he would never have reached +the haunts of civilized men. + +[Footnote 40: The number of attacks was thirty-one.] + +His traveling-kit was reduced to the smallest possible ilk; that he +minded little, but he was vexed to be able to take so few books. A few +days after setting out, he writes in his private Journal; + + "I feel the want of books in this journey more than anything + else. A Sichuana Pentateuch, a lined journal, Thomson's + Tables, a Nautical Almanac, and a Bible, constitute my stock. + The last constitutes my chief resource; but the want of other + mental pabulum is felt severely. There is little to interest + in the conversation of the people. Loud disputes often about + the women, and angry altercations in which the same string of + abuse is used, are more frequent than anything else." + +The "lined journal," of which mention is made here, was probably the +most wonderful thing of the kind ever taken on such a journey. It is a +strongly bound quarto volume of more then 800 pages, with a lock and +key. The writing is so neat and clear that it might almost be taken for +lithograph. Occasionally there is a page with letters beginning to +sprawl, as if one of those times had come when he tells us that he-could +neither think nor speak, nor tell any one's name--possibly not even his +own, if he had been asked it. He used to jot his observations on little +note-books, and extend them when detained by rain or other causes. + +The journal differs in some material respects from the printed record of +this journey. It is much more explicit in setting forth the bad +treatment he often received. When he spoke of these things to the +public, he made constant use of the mantle of charity, and the record of +many a bad deed and many a bad character is toned down. Naturally, too, +the journal is more explicit on the subject of his own troubles, and +more free in recording the play of his feelings. It does not hide the +communings of his heart with his heavenly Father. It is built up in a +random-rubble style; here a solemn prayer, in the next line a note of +lunar observations; then a dissertation on the habits of the +hippopotamus. Notes bearing on the character, the superstitions, and the +feelings of the natives are of frequent occurrence. The explanation is, +that Livingstone put down everything as it came, reserving the arranging +and digesting of the whole to a future time. The extremely hurried +manner in which he was obliged to write his _Missionary Travels_ +prevented him from fulfilling all his plan, and compelled him to content +himself with giving to the public then what could be put most readily +together. There are indications that he contemplated in the end a much +more thorough use of his materials. It is not to be supposed that his +published volumes contained all that he deemed worthy of publication, or +that a censure is due to those who reproduce some portions which he +passed over. As to the neat and finished form in which the Journal +exists, it was one of the many fruits of a strong habit of orderliness +and self-respect which he had begun to learn at the hand of his mother, +and which he practiced all his life. Even in the matter of personal +cleanliness and dress he was uniformly most attentive in his wanderings +among savages. "I feel certain," he said, "that the lessons of +cleanliness rigidly instilled by my mother in childhood helped to +maintain that respect which these people entertain for European ways." + +The course of the journey was first along the river Zambesi, as he had +gone before with Sekelétu, to its junction with the Leeba, then along +the Leeba to the country of Lobale on the left and Londa on the right. +Then, leaving the canoes, he traveled on oxback first N.N.W. and then W. +till he reached St. Paul de Loanda on the coast. His Journal, like the +published volume, is full of observations on the beauty and wonderful +capacity and productiveness of the country through which he passed after +leaving the river. Instinctively he would compare it with Scotland. A +beautiful valley reminds him of his native vale of Clyde, seen from the +spot where Mary Queen of Scots saw the battle of Langside; only the +Scottish scene is but a miniature of the much greater and richer +landscape before him. At the sight of the mountains he would feel his +Highland blood rushing through him, banishing all thoughts of fever and +fatigue. If only the blessings of the gospel could be spread among the +people, what a glorious land it would become! But alas for the people! +In most cases they were outwardly very repulsive. Never seen without a +spear or a club in their hands, the men seemed only to delight in +plunder and slaughter, and yet they were utter cowards. Their mouths +were full of cursing and bitterness. The execrations they poured on each +other were incredible. In very wantonness, when they met they would pelt +each other with curses, and then perhaps burst into a fit of laughter. +The women, like the men, went about in almost total nudity, and seemed +to know no shame. So reckless were the chiefs of human life, that a man +might be put to death for a single distasteful word; yet sometimes there +were exhibitions of very tender feeling. The headman of a village once +showed him, with much apparent feeling, the burnt house of a child of +his, adding,--"She perished in it, and we have all removed from our own +huts and built here round her, in order to weep over her grave." From +some of the people he received great kindness; others were quite +different. Their character, in short, was a riddle, and would need to be +studied more. But the prevalent aspect of things was both distressing +and depressing. If he had thought of it continually, he would have +become the victim of melancholy. It was a characteristic of his large +and buoyant nature, that, besides having the resource of spiritual +thought, he was able to make use of another divine corrective to such a +tendency, to find delightful recreation in science, and especially in +natural history, and by this means turn the mind away for a time from +the dark scenes of man's depravity. + +The people all seemed to recognize a Supreme Being; but it was only +occasionally, in times of distress, that they paid Him homage. They had +no love for Him like that of Christians for Jesus--only terror. Some of +them, who were true negroes, had images, simple but grotesque. Their +strongest belief was in the power of medicines acting as charms. They +fully recognized the existence of the soul after death. Some of them +believed in the metamorphosis of certain persons into alligators or +hippopotamuses, or into lions. This belief could not be shaken by any +arguments--at least on the part of man. The negroes proper interested +him greatly; they were numerous, prolific, and could not be extirpated. +He almost regretted that Mr. Moffat had translated the Bible into +Sichuana. That language might die out; but the negro might sing, "Men +may come and men may go, but I go on for ever." + +The incessant attacks of fever from which Livingstone suffered in this +journey, the continual rain occurring at that season of the year, the +return of the affection of the throat for which he had got his uvula +excised, and the difficulty of speaking to tribes using different +dialects, prevented him from, holding his Sunday services as regularly +as before. Such entries in his Journal as the following are but +too frequent: + + "_Sunday, 19th_.--Sick all Sunday and unable to move. Several + of the people were ill too, so that I could do nothing but + roll from side to side in my miserable little tent, in which, + with all the shade we could give it, the thermometer stood + upward of 90°." + +But though little able to preach, Livingstone made the most of an +apparatus which in some degree compensated his lack of speech--a +magic-lantern which his friend, a former fellow-traveler, Mr. Murray, +had given him. The pictures of Abraham offering up Isaac, and other +Bible scenes, enabled him to convey important truths in a way that +attracted the people. It was, he says, the only service he was ever +asked to repeat. The only uncomfortable feeling it raised was on the +part of those who stood on the side where the slides were drawn out. +They were terrified lest the figures, as they passed along, should take +possession of them, entering like spirits into their bodies! + +The loneliness of feeling engendered by the absence of all human +sympathy was trying. "Amidst all the beauty and loveliness with which I +am surrounded, there is still a feeling of want in the soul,--as if +something more were needed to bathe the soul in bliss than the sight of +the perfection in working and goodness in planning of the great Father +of our spirits. I need to be purified--fitted for the eternal, to which +my soul stretches away, in ever returning longings. I need to be made +more like my blessed Saviour, to serve my God with all my powers. Look +upon me, Spirit of the living God, and supply all Thou seest lacking." + +It was Livingstone's great joy to begin this long journey with a blessed +act of humanity, boldly summoning a trader to release a body of +captives, so that no fewer than eighteen souls were restored to freedom. +As he proceeded he obtained but too plain evidence of the extent to +which the slave traffic prevailed, uniformly finding that wherever +slavers had been, the natives were more difficult to deal with and more +exorbitant in their demands. Slaves in chains were sometimes met with--a +sight which some of his men had never beheld before. + +Livingstone's successful management of the natives constituted the +crowning wonder of this journey. Usually the hearts of the chiefs were +wonderfully turned to him, so that they not only allowed him to pass on, +but supplied him with provisions. But there were some memorable +occasions on which he and his company appeared to be doomed. When he +passed through the Chiboque country, the provisions were absolutely +spent; there was no resource but to kill a riding-ox, a part of which, +according to custom, was sent to the chief. Next day was Sunday. After +service the chief sent an impudent message demanding much more valuable +presents. His people collected round Livingstone, brandishing their +weapons, and one young man all but brought down his sword on his head. +It seemed impossible to avoid a fight; yet Livingstone's management +prevailed--the threatened storm passed away. + +Some days after, in passing through a forest in the dominions of another +chief, he and his people were in momentary expectation of an attack. +They went to the chiefs village and spoke to the man himself; and here, +on a Sunday, while ill of fever, Livingstone was able to effect a +temporary settlement. The chief sent them some food; then yams, a goat, +fowl, and meat. Livingstone gave him a shawl, and two bunches of beads, +and he seemed pleased. During these exciting scenes he felt no fever; +but when they were over the constant wettings made him experience a sore +sense of sinking, and this Sunday was a day "of perfect uselessness." +Monday came, and while Livingstone was as low as possible, the +inexorable chief renewed his demands. "It was," he says, "a day +of torture." + + "After talking nearly the whole day we gave the old chief an + ox, but he would not take it, but another. I was grieved + exceedingly to find that our people had become quite + disheartened, and all resolved to return home. All I can say + has no effect. I can only look up to God to influence their + minds, that the enterprise fail not, now that we have reached + the very threshold of the Portuguese settlements. I am + greatly distressed at this change, for what else can be done + for this miserable land I do not see. It is shut. O Almighty + God, help, help! and leave not this wretched people to the + slave-dealer and Satan. The people have done well hitherto, I + see God's good influence in it. Hope He has left only for a + little season. No land needs the gospel more than this + miserable portion. I hope I am not to be left to fail in + introducing it." + +On Wednesday morning, however, final arrangements were made, and the +party passed on in peace. Ten days later, again on a Sunday, they were +once more pestered by a great man demanding dues. Livingstone replied by +simply defying him. He might kill him, but God would judge. And on the +Monday they left peaceably, thankful for their deliverance, some of the +men remarking, in view of it, that they were "children of Jesus," and +Livingstone thanking God devoutly for his great mercy. Next day they +were again stopped at the river Quango. The poor Makololo had parted in +vain with their copper ornaments, and Livingstone with his razors, +shirts, etc.; yet he had made up his mind (as he wrote to the +Geographical Society afterward) to part with his blanket and coat to get +a passage, when a young Portuguese sergeant, Cypriano de Abrao, made his +appearance, and the party were allowed to pass. + +There were many proofs that, though a poor set of fellows, Livingstone's +own followers were animated with extraordinary regard for him. No +wonder! They had seen how sincere he was in saying that he would die +rather than give any of them up to captivity. And all his intercourse +with them had been marked by similar proofs of his generosity and +kindness. When the ox flung him into the river, about twenty of them +made a simultaneous rush for his rescue, and their joy at his safety was +very great. + +Amid all that was discouraging in the present aspect of things, +Livingstone could always look forward and rejoice in the good +time coming: + + "_Sunday 22d_.--This age presents one great fact in the + Providence of God; missions are sent forth to all quarters of + the world,--missions not of one section of the Church, but of + all sections, and from nearly all Christian nations. It seems + very unfair to judge of the success of these by the number of + conversions which have followed. These are rather proofs of + the missions being of the right sort. They show the direction + of the stream which is set in motion by Him who rules the + nations, and Is destined to overflow the world. The fact + which ought to stimulate us above all others is, not that we + have contributed to the conversion of a few souls, however + valuable these may be, but that we are diffusing a knowledge + of Christianity throughout the world. The number of + conversions in India is but a poor criterion of the success + which has followed the missionaries there. The general + knowledge is the criterion; and there, as well as in other + lands where missionaries in the midst of masses of heathenism + seem like voices crying in the wilderness--Reformers before + the Reformation, future missionaries will see conversions + follow every sermon. We prepare the way for them. May they + not forget the pioneers who worked in the thick gloom with + few rays to cheer, except such as flow from faith in God's + promises! We work for a glorious future which we are not + destined to see--the golden age which has not been, but will + yet be. We are only morning-stars shining in the dark, but + the glorious morn will break, the good time coming yet. The + present mission-stations will all be broken up. No matter how + great the outcry against the instrumentality which God + employs for his purposes, whether by French soldiery as in + Tahiti, or tawny Boers as in South Africa, our duty is + onward, onward, proclaiming God's Word whether men will hear + or whether they will forbear. A few conversions show whether + God's Spirit is in a mission or not. No mission which has his + approbation is entirely unsuccessful. His purposes have been + fulfilled, if we have been faithful. 'The nation or kingdom + that will not serve Thee shall utterly be destroyed'--this + has often been preceded by free offers of friendship and + mercy, and many missions which He has sent in the olden time + seemed bad failures. Noah's preaching was a failure, Isaiah + thought his so too. Poor Jeremiah is sitting weeping tears + over his people, everybody cursing the honest man, and he + ill-pleased with his mother for having borne him among such a + set. And Ezekiel's stiff-necked, rebellious crew were no + better. Paul said, 'All seek their own, not the things of + Jesus Christ,' and he knew that after his departure grievous + wolves would enter in, not sparing the flock. Yet the cause + of God is still carried on to more enlightened developments + of his will and character, and the dominion is being given by + the power of commerce and population unto the people of the + saints of the Most High. And this is an everlasting kingdom, + a little stone cut out of a mountain without hands which + shall cover the whole earth. For this time we work; may God + accept our imperfect service!" + +At length Livingstone began to get near the coast, reaching the outlying +Portuguese stations. He was received by the Portuguese gentlemen with +great kindness, and his wants were generously provided for. One of them +gave him the first glass of wine he had taken in Africa. Another +provided him with a suit of clothing. Livingstone invoked the blessing +of Him who said, "I was naked and ye clothed me." His Journal is profuse +in its admiration of some of the Portuguese traders, who did not like +the slave-trade--not they, but had most enlightened views for the +welfare of Africa. But opposite some of these eulogistical passages of +the Journal there were afterward added an expressive series of marks of +interrogation. + +At a later date he saw reason to doubt the sincerity of some of the +professions of these gentlemen. Ingenuous and trustful, he could at +first think nothing but good of those who had shown him such marked +attention. Afterward, the inexorable logic of facts proved too strong, +even for his unsuspecting soul. But the kindness of the Portuguese was +most genuine, and Livingstone never ceased to be grateful for a single +kind act. It is important to note that whatever he came to think of +their policy afterward, he was always ready to make this acknowledgment. + +Arrived at Loanda, 31st May, 1854, with his twenty-seven followers, he +was most kindly received by Mr. Edmund Gabriel, the British Commissioner +for the suppression of the slave-trade there, and everything was done by +him for his comfort. The sensation of lying on an English bed, after six +months lying on the ground, was indescribably delightful. Mr. Gabriel +was equally attentive to him during a long and distressing attack of +fever and dysentery that prostrated him soon after his arrival at +Loanda. In his Journal the warmest benedictions are poured on Mr. +Gabriel, and blessings everlasting besought for his soul. One great +disappointment he suffered at Loanda--not a single letter was awaiting +him. His friends must have thought he could never reach it. This want of +letters was a very frequent trial, especially to one who wrote so many, +and of such length. The cordial friendship of Mr. Gabriel, however, was +a great solace. He gave him much information, not only on all that +concerned the slave-trade--now more than ever attracting his +attention--but also on the natural history of the district, and he +entered _con amore_ into the highest objects of his mission. Afterward, +in acknowledging to the Directors of the London Missionary Society +receipt of a letter for Dr. Livingstone, intrusted to his care, Mr. +Gabriel wrote as follows (20th March, 1856): + + "Dr. Livingstone, after the noble objects he has achieved, + most assuredly wants no testimony from me. I consult, + therefore, the impulse of my own mind alone, when I declare + that in no respect was my intercourse more gratifying to me + than in the opportunities afforded to me of observing his + _earnest, active, and unwearied solicitude for the + advancement of Christianity._ Few, perhaps, have had better + opportunities than myself of estimating _the benefit the + Christian cause in this country has derived from Dr. + Livingstone's exertions_. It is indeed fortunate for that + sacred cause, and highly honorable to the London Missionary + Society, _when qualities and dispositions like his are + employed in propagating its blessings among men._ + Irrespective, moreover, of his _laudable and single-minded + conduct as a minister of the Gospel,_ and his attainments in + making observations which have determined the true geography + of the interior, the Directors, I am sure, will not have + failed to perceive how interesting and valuable are all the + communications they receive from him--as sketches of the + social condition of the people, and the material, fabrics, + and produce Of these lands. I most fervently pray that the + kind Providence, which has hitherto carried him through so + many perils and hardships, may guide him safely to his + present journey's end." + +The friendship of Mr. Gabriel was honorable both to himself and to Dr. +Livingstone. At a very early period he learned to appreciate Livingstone +thoroughly, he saw how great as well as how good a man he was, and felt +that to be the friend of such a man was one of the highest distinctions +he could have. After Livingstone left Loanda, and while he was detained +within reach of letters, a brisk correspondence passed between them; Mr. +Gabriel tells him about birds, helps him in his schemes for promoting +lawful commerce, goes into ecstasies over a watch-chain which he had got +from him, tells him the news of the battle of the Alma in the Crimea, in +which his friend, Colonel Steele, had distinguished himself, and of the +success of the Rae Expedition in finding the remains of the party under +Sir John Franklin. In an official communication to Lord Clarendon, after +Livingstone had left, Mr. Gabriel says, 5th August, 1855: "I am grieved +to say that this excellent man's health has suffered a good deal [on the +return journey]. He nevertheless wrote in cheerful spirits, sanguine of +success in doing his duty under the guidance and protection of that kind +Providence who had always carried him through so many perils and +hardships. He assures me that since he knew the value of Christianity, +he has ever wished to spend his life in propagating its blessings among +men, and adds that the same desire remains still as strong as ever." + +While Livingstone was at Loanda, he made several acquaintances among the +officers of Her Majesty's navy, engaged in the suppression of the +slave-trade. For many of these gentlemen he was led to entertain a high +regard. Their humanity charmed him, and so did their attention to their +duties. In his early days, sharing the feeling then so prevalent in his +class, he had been used to think of epauleted gentlemen as idlers, or +worse--"_fruges consumere nati_" Personal acquaintance, as in so many +other cases, rubbed off the prejudice. In many ways Livingstone's mind +was broadening. His intensely sympathetic nature drew powerfully to all +who were interested in what was rapidly becoming his own +master-idea--the suppression of the slave-trade. We shall see proofs not +a few, how this sympathetic affection modified some of his early +opinions, and greatly widened the sphere of his charity. + +After all the illness and dangers he had encountered, Livingstone might +quite honorably have accepted a berth in one of Her Majesty's cruisers, +and returned to England. But the men who had come with him from the +Barotse country to Loanda had to return, and Livingstone knew that they +were quite unable to perform the journey without him. That consideration +determined his course. All the risks and dangers of that terrible +road--the attacks of fever and dysentery, the protracted absence of +those for whom he pined, were not to be thought of when he had a duty to +these poor men. Besides, he had hot yet accomplished his object. He had, +indeed, discovered a way by his friend Sekelétu might sell his tusks to +far greater advantage, and which would thus help to introduce a +legitimate traffic among the Makololo, and expel the slave-trade; but he +had discovered no healthy locality for a mission, nor any unexceptional +highway to the sea for the purpose of general traffic. The east coast +seemed to promise better than the west. That great river, the Zambesi, +might be found to be a navigable highway to the sea. He would return to +Linyanti, and set out from it to find a way to the eastern shore. Loaded +with kindness from many quarters, and furnished with presents for +Sekelétu, and for the chiefs along the way, Livingstone bade farewell to +Loanda on 20th September, 1854. + +The following letter to Mrs. Livingstone, written a month afterward, +gives his impressions of Loanda and the neighborhood; + + "_Golungo Alto, 25th October_, 1854.--It occurs to me, my + dearest Mary, that if I send you a note from different parts + on the way through this colony, some of them will surely + reach you; and If they carry any of the affection I bear to + you in their composition, they will not fail to comfort you. + I got everything in Loanda I could desire; and were there + only a wagon-path for us, this would be as good an opening + into the interior as we could wish. I remained rather a long + time in the city in consequence of a very severe attack of + fever and dysentery which reduced me very much; and I + remained a short time longer than that actually required to + set me on my legs, in longing expectation of a letter from + you. None came, but should any come up to the beginning of + November, it will come after me by post to Cassangé. + + "The [Roman Catholic] Bishop, who was then acting-governor, + gave a horse, saddle, and bridle, a colonel's suit of + clothes, etc., for Sekelétu, and a dress of blue and red + cloth, with a white cotton blanket and cap to each of my + companions, who are the best set of men I ever traveled with + except Malatzi and Mebalwe. The merchants of Loanda gave + Sekelétu a large present of cloth, beads, etc., and one of + them, a Dutch-man, gave me an order for ten oxen as + provisions on the way home to the Zambesi. This is all to + encourage the natives to trade freely with the coast, and + will have a good effect in increasing our influence for that + which excels everything earthly. Everything has, by God's + gracious blessing, proved more auspicious than I anticipated. + We have a most warm-hearted friend in Mr. Gabriel. He acted a + brother's part, and now writes me in the moat affectionate + manner. I thank God for his goodness in influencing the + hearts of so many to show kindness, to whom I was a total + stranger. The Portuguese have all been extremely kind. In + coming through the coffee plantations I was offered more + coffee than I could take or needed, and the best in the + world. One spoonful makes it stronger than three did of that + we used. It is found wild on the mountains. + + "Mr. Gabriel came about 30 miles with me, and ever since, + though I spoke freely about the slave-trade, the very + gentlemen who have been engaged in it, and have been + prevented by our ships from following it, and often lost + much, treated me most kindly in their houses, and often + accompanied me to the next place beyond them, bringing food + for all in the way. The common people are extremely civil, + and a very large proportion of the inhabitants in one + district called Ambaca can read and write well. They were + first taught by the Roman Catholic missionaries, and now + teach each other so well, it is considered a shame in an + Ambacista not to be able to write his own name at least. But + they have no Bibles. They are building a church at Ambaca, + and another is in course of erection here, though they cannot + get any priests. May God grant that we may be useful in some + degree in this field also.... Give my love to all the + children, they will reap the advantage of your remaining + longer at home than we anticipated. I hope Robert, Agnes, and + Tom are each learning as fast as they can. When will they be + able to write a letter to me? How happy I shall be to meet + them and you again! I hope a letter from you may be waiting + for me at Zambesi. Love to all the children. How tall is + Zouga? Accept the assurance of unabated love. + + "DAVID LIVINGSTON." + +It must not be forgotten that all this time Dr. Livingstone was making +very careful astronomical observations, in order to determine his exact +positions, and transmitting elaborate letters to the Geographical +Society. His astronomical observations were regularly forwarded to his +friend the Astronomer-Royal at the Cape, Mr. Maclear, for verification +and correction. + +Writing to Livingstone on 27th March, 1854, with reference to some of +his earlier observations, after noticing a few trifling mistakes, Mr. +Maclear says: "It is both interesting and amusing to trace your +improvement as an observer. Some of your early observations, as you +remark, are rough, and the angles ascribed to objects misplaced in +transcribing. But upon the whole I do not hesitate to assert that no +explorer on record has determined his path with the precision you have +accomplished." A year afterward, 11th August, 1855, but with reference +to papers received from Sekelétu's place, Mr. Maclear details what he +had done in reducing his observations, preparing abstracts of them, +sending them to the authorities, and publishing them in the Cape papers. +He informs him that Sir John Herschel placed them before the +Geographical Society, and that a warm eulogium on his labors and +discoveries, and particularly on the excellent series of observations +which fixed his track so exactly, appeared in the President's Address. + +Then, referring to his wonderful journey to Loanda, and remarkable +escapes, he says: "Nor is your escape with life from so many attacks of +fever other than miraculous. Perhaps there is nothing on record of the +kind, and it can only be explained by Divine interference for a good +purpose. O may life be continued to you, my dear friend! You have +accomplished more for the happiness of mankind than has been done by all +the African travelers hitherto put together." + +Mr. Maclear's reference to Livingstone's work, in writing to Sir John +Herschel, was in these terms: "Such a man deserves every encouragement +in the power of his country to give. He has done that which few other +travelers in Africa can boast of--he has fixed his geographical points +with very great accuracy, and yet he is only a poor missionary." + +Nor did Dr. Livingstone pass unrewarded in other quarters. In the +Geographical Society, his journey to Loanda, of which he sent them an +account, excited the liveliest interest. In May, 1855, on the motion of +Sir Roderick Murchison, the Society testified its appreciation by +awarding him their gold medal--the highest honor they had to bestow. The +occasion was one of great interest. From the chair, Lord Ellesmere +spoke of Livingstone's work in science as but subordinate to those +higher ends which he had ever prosecuted in the true spirit of a +missionary. The simplicity of his arrangements gave additional wonder to +the results. There had just appeared an account of a Portuguese +expedition of African exploration from the East Coast: + + "I advert to it," said his Lordship, "to point out the + contrast between the two. Colonel Monteiro was the leader of + a small army--some twenty Portuguese soldiers, and a hundred + and twenty Caffres. The contrast is as great between such + military array and the solitary grandeur of the missionary's + progress, as it is between the actual achievements of the + two--between the rough knowledge obtained by the Portuguese + of some three hundred leagues of new country, and the + scientific precision with which the unarmed and unassisted + Englishman has left his mark on so many important stations of + regions hitherto a blank." + +About the time when these words were spoken, Dr. Livingstone was at +Cabango on his return journey, recovering from a very severe attack of +rheumatic fever which had left him nearly deaf; besides, he was almost +blind in consequence of a blow received on the eye from a branch of a +tree in riding through the forest. Notwithstanding, he was engaged in +writing a despatch to the Geographical Society, through Sir Roderick +Murchison, of which more anon, reporting progress, and explaining his +views of the structure of Africa. But we must return to Loanda, and set +out with him and his Makololo in proper on their homeward tour. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +FROM LOANDA TO QUILIMANE. + +A.D. 1854-1856. + +Livingstone sets out from Loanda--Journey back--Effects of +slavery--Letter to his wife--Severe attack of fever--He reaches the +Barotse country--Day of thanksgiving--His efforts for the good of his +men--Anxieties of the Moffats--Mr. Moffat's journey to Mosilikatse--Box +at Linyanti--Letter from Mrs. Moffat--Letters to Mrs. Livingstone, Mr. +Moffat, and Mrs. Moffat--Kindness of Sekelétu--New escort--He sets out +for the East Coast--Discovers the Victoria Falls--The healthy +longitudinal ridges--Pedestrianism--Great dangers--Narrow +escapes--Triumph of the spirit of trust in God--Favorite +texts--Reference to Captain Maclure's experience--Chief subjects of +thought--Structure of the continent--Sir Roderick Murchison anticipates +his discovery--Letters to Geographical Society--First letter from Sir +Roderick Murchison--Missionary labor--Monasteries--Protestant +mission-stations wanting in self-support--Letter to Directors--Fever not +so serious an obstruction as it seemed--His own hardships--Theories of +mission-work--Expansion _v_. Concentration--Views of a missionary +statesman--He reaches Tette--Letter to King of Portugal--To Sir Roderick +Murchison--Reaches Senna--Quilimane--Retrospect--Letter from +Directors--Goes to Mauritius--Voyage home--Narrow escape from shipwreck +in Bay of Tunis--He reaches England, Dec., 1856--News of his +father's death. + + +Dr. Livingstone left St. Paul de Loanda on 24th September, 1854, arrived +at his old quarters at Linyanti on 11th September, 1855, set out +eastward on 3d November, 1855, and reached Quilimane on the eastern +coast on 20th May, 1856. His journey thus occupied a year and eight +months, and the whole time from his leaving the Cape on 8th June, 1852, +was within a few days of four years. The return journey from Loanda to +Linyanti took longer than the journey outward. This arose from detention +of various kinds[41]: the sicknesses of Livingstone and his men, the +heavy rains, and in one case, at Pungo Andongo, the necessity of +reproducing a large packet of letters, journals, maps, and despatches, +which he had sent off from Loanda. These were despatched by the +mail-packet "Forerunner," which unhappily went down off Madeira, all the +passengers but one being lost. But for his promise to the Makololo to +return with them to their country, Dr. Livingstone would have been +himself a passenger in the ship. Hearing of the disaster while paying a +visit to a very kind and hospitable Portuguese gentleman at Pungo +Andongo, on his way back, Livingstone remained there some time to +reproduce his lost papers. The labor thus entailed must have been very +great, for his ordinary letters covered sheets almost as large as a +newspaper, and his maps and despatches were produced with +extraordinary care. + +[Footnote 41: Dr. Livingstone observed that traders generally traveled +ten days in the month, and rested twenty, making seven geographical +miles a day, or seventy per month. In his case in this journey the +proportion was generally reversed--twenty days of traveling and ten of +rest, and his rate per day was about ten geographical miles, or two +hundred per month. As he often zigzagged, the geographical mile +represented considerably, more. See letter to Royal Geographical +Society, October 16, 1855.] + +He found renewed occasion to acknowledge in the warmest terms the +kindness he received from the Portuguese; and his prayers that God would +reward and bless them were not the less sincere that in many important +matters he could not approve of their ways. + +In traversing the road backward along which he had already come, not +many things happened that demand special notice in this brief sketch. We +find him both in his published book and still more in his private +Journal repeating his admiration of the country and its glorious +scenery. This revelation of the marvelous beauty of a country hitherto +deemed a sandy desert was one of the most astounding effects of +Livingstone's travels on the public mind. But the more he sees of the +people the more profound does their degradation appear, although the +many instances of remarkable kindness to himself, and occasional cases +of genuine feeling one toward another, convinced him that there was a +something in them not quite barbarised. On one point he was very +clear--the Portuguese settlements among them had not improved them. Not +that he undervalued the influences which the Portuguese had brought to +bear on them; he had a much more favorable opinion of the Jesuit +missions than Protestants have usually allowed themselves to entertain, +and felt both kindly and respectfully toward the padres, who in the +earlier days of these settlements had done, he believed, a useful work. +But the great bane of the Portuguese settlements was slavery. Slavery +prevented a good example, it hindered justice, it kept down improvement. +If a settler took a fancy to a good-looking girl, he had only to buy +her, and make her his concubine. Instead of correcting the polygamous +habits of the chiefs and others, the Portuguese adopted like habits +themselves. In one thing indeed they were far superior to the Boers--in +their treatment of the children born to them by native mothers. But the +whole system of slavery gendered a blight which nothing could +counteract; to make Africa a prosperous land, liberty must be proclaimed +to the captive, and the slave system, with all its accursed +surroundings, brought conclusively to an end. Writing to Mrs. +Livingstone from Bashinge, 20th March, 1855, he gives, some painful +particulars of the slave-trade. Referring to a slave-agent with whom he +had been, he says: + + "This agent is about the same in appearance as Mebalwe, and + speaks Portuguese as the Griquas do Dutch. He has two + chainsful of women going to be sold for the ivory. Formerly + the trade went from the interior into the Portuguese + territory; now it goes the opposite way. This is the effect + of the Portuguese love of the trade: they cannot send them + abroad on account of our ships of war on the coast, yet will + sell them to the best advantage. These women are + decent-looking, as much so as the general run of Kuruman + ladies, and' were caught lately in a skirmish the Portuguese + had with their tribe; and they will be sold for about three + tusks each. Each has an iron ring round the wrist, and that + is attached to the chain, which she carries in the hand to + prevent it jerking and hurting the wrist. How would Nannie + like to be thus treated? and yet it is only by the goodness + of God in appointing our lot in different circumstances that + we are not similarly degraded, for we have the same evil + nature, which is so degraded in them as to allow of men + treating them as beasts. + + "I long for the time when I shall see you again. I hope in + God's mercy for that pleasure. How are my dear ones? I have + not seen any equal to them since I put them on board ship. My + brave little dears! I only hope God will show us mercy, and + make them good too.... + + "I work at the interior languages when I have a little time, + and also at Portuguese, which I like from being so much like + Latin. Indeed, when I came I understood much that was said + from its similarity to that tongue, and when I interlarded my + attempts at Portuguese with Latin, or spoke it entirely, they + understood me very well. The Negro language is not so easy, + but I take a spell at it every day I can. It is of the same + family of languages as the Sichuana.... + + "We have passed two chiefs who plagued us much when going + down, but now were quite friendly. At that time one of them + ordered his people not to sell us anything, and we had at + last to force our way past him. Now he came running to meet + us, saluting us, etc., with great urbanity. He informed us + that he would come in the evening to receive a present, but I + said unless he brought one he should receive nothing. He came + in the usual way. The Balonda show the exalted position they + occupy among men, viz., riding on the shoulders of a + spokesman in the way little boys do in England. The chief + brought two cocks and some eggs. I then gave a little present + too. The alteration in this gentleman's conduct--the Peace + Society would not credit-it--is attributable solely to my + people possessing guns. When we passed before, we were + defenseless. May every needed blessing be granted to you and + the dear children, is the earnest prayer of your ever most + affectionate + + "D. LIVINGSTON." + +It was soon after the date of this letter that Livingstone was struck +down by that severe attack of rheumatic fever, accompanied by great loss +of blood, to which reference has already been made. "I got it," he +writes to Mr. Maclear, "by sleeping in the wet. There was no help for +it. Every part of a plain was flooded ankle-deep. We got soaked by going +on, and sodden if we stood still." In his former journey he had been +very desirous to visit Matiamvo, paramount chief of the native tribes of +Londa, whose friendship would have helped him greatly in his journey; +but at that time he found himself too poor to attempt the enterprise. +The loss of time and consumption of goods caused by his illness on the +way back prevented him from accomplishing his purpose now. + +Not only was the party now better armed than before, but the good name +of Livingstone had also become better known along the line, and during +his return journey he did not encounter so much opposition. We cannot +fail to be struck with his extraordinary care for his men. It was his +earnest desire to bring them all back to their homes, and in point of +fact the whole twenty-seven returned in good health. How carefully he +must have nursed them in their attacks of fever, and kept them from +unnecessary exposure, it is hardly possible for strangers adequately to +understand. + +On reaching the country of the Barotse, the home of most of them, a day +of thanksgiving was observed (23d July, 1855). The men had made little +fortunes in Loanda, earning sixpence a day for weeks together by helping +to discharge a cargo of coals or, as they called them, "stones that +burned." But, like Livingstone, they had to part with everything on the +way home, and now they were in rags; yet they were quite as cheerful and +as fond of their leader as ever, and felt that they had not traveled in +vain. They quite understood the benefit the new route would bring in the +shape of higher prices for tusks and the other merchandise of home. On +the thanksgiving day-- + + "The men decked themselves out in their best, for all had + managed to preserve their suits of European clothing, which, + with their white and red caps, gave them a rather dashing + appearance. They tried to walk like soldiers, and called + themselves 'my braves.' Having been again saluted with salvos + from the women, we met the whole population, and having given + an address on divine things, I told them we had come that day + to thank God before them all for his mercy in preserving us + from dangers, from strange tribes and sicknesses. We had + another service in the afternoon. They gave us two fine oxen + to slaughter, and the women have supplied us abundantly with + milk and meal. This is all gratuitous, and I feel ashamed + that I can make no return. My men explain the whole + expenditure on the way hither, and they remark gratefully: + 'It does not matter, you have opened a path for us, and we + shall have sleep.' Strangers from a distance come flocking to + see me, and seldom come empty-handed. I distribute all + presents among my men." + +Several of the poor fellows on reaching home found domestic trouble--a +wife had proved inconstant and married another man. As the men had +generally more wives than one, Livingstone comforted them by saying that +they still had as many as he. + +Amid the anxieties and sicknesses of the journey, and multiplied +subjects of thought and inquiry, Livingstone was as earnest as ever for +the spiritual benefit of the people. Some extracts from his Journal will +illustrate his efforts in this cause, and the flickerings of hope that +would spring out of them, dimmed, however, by many fears: + + _August 5, 1855_.--A large audience listened attentively to + my address this morning, but it is impossible to indulge any + hopes of such feeble efforts. God is merciful, and will deal + with them in justice and kindness. This constitutes a ground + of hope. Poor degraded Africa! A permanent station among them + might effect something in time, but a Considerable time is + necessary. Surely some will pray to their merciful Father in + their extremity, who never would have thought of Him but for + our visit." + + "_August 12_.--A very good and attentive audience. Surely all + will not be forgotten. How small their opportunity compared + to ours who have been carefully instructed in the knowledge + of divine truth from our earliest infancy! The Judge is just + and merciful. He will deal fairly and kindly with all." + + "_October 15_.--We had a good and very attentive audience + yesterday, and I expatiated with great freedom on the love of + Christ in dying, from his parting address in John xvi. It + cannot be these precious truths will fall to the ground; but + it is perplexing to observe no effects. They assent to the + truth, but 'we don't know,' or 'you speak truly,' is all the + response. In reading accounts of South Sea missions it is + hard to believe the quickness of the vegetation of the good + seed, but I know several of the men" [the South Sea + missionaries], "and am sure they are of unimpeachable + veracity. In trying to convey knowledge, and use the magic + lantern, which is everywhere extremely popular, though they + listen with apparent delight to what is said, questioning + them on the following night reveals almost entire ignorance + of the previous lesson. O that the Holy Ghost might enlighten + them! To his soul-renewing influence my longing soul is + directed. It is his word, and cannot die." + +The long absence of Livingstone and the want of letters had caused great +anxiety to his friends. The Moffats had been particularly concerned +about him, and, in 1854, partly in the hope of hearing of him, Mr. +Moffat undertook a visit to Mosilikatse, while a box of goods and +comforts was sent to Linyanti to await his return, should that ever take +place. A letter from Mrs. Moffat accompanied the box. It is amusing to +read her motherly explanations about the white shirts, and the blue +waistcoat, the woolen socks, lemon juice, quince jam, and tea and +coffee, some of which had come all the way from Hamilton; but there are +passages in that little note that make one's heart go with rapid beat: + + "MY DEAR SON LIVINGSTON,--Your present position is almost too + much for my weak nerves to suffer me to contemplate. Hitherto + I have kept up my spirits, and been enabled to believe that + our great Master may yet bring you out in safety, for though + his ways are often inscrutable, I should have clung to the + many precious promises made in his word as to temporal + preservation, such as the 91st and 121st Psalms--but have + been taught that we may not presume confidently to expect + them to be fulfilled, and that every petition, however + fervent, must be with devout submission to his will. My poor + sister-in-law clung tenaciously to the 91st Psalm, and firmly + believed that her dear husband would thus be preserved, and + never indulged the idea that they should never meet on earth. + But I apprehend submission was wanting. 'If it be Thy will,' + I fancy she could not say--and, therefore, she was utterly + confounded when the news came[42]. She had exercised strong + faith, and was disappointed. Bear Livingstone, I have always + endeavored to keep this in mind with regard to you. Since + George [Fleming] came out it seemed almost hope against hope. + Your having got so, thoroughly feverised chills my + expectations; still prayer, unceasing prayer, is made for + you. When I think of you my heart will go upward. 'Keep him + as the apple of Thine eye,' 'Hold him in the hollow of Thy + hand,' are the ejaculations of my heart." + +[Footnote 42: Rev. John Smith, missionary at Madras, had gone to +Vizagapatam to the ordination of two native pastors, and when returning +in a small vessel, a storm arose, when he and all on board perished.] + +In writing from Linyanti to his wife, Livingstone makes the best he can +of his long detention. She seems to have put the matter playfully, +wondering what the "source of attraction" had been. He says: + + "Don't know what apology to make you for a delay I could not + shorten. But as you are a mercifully kind-hearted dame, I + expect you will write out an apology in proper form, and I + shall read it before you with as long a face as I can + exhibit. Disease was the chief obstacle. The repair of the + wagon was the 'source of attraction' in Cape Town, and the + settlement of a case of libel another 'source of attraction.' + They tried to engulf me in a law-suit for simply asking the + postmaster why some letters were charged double. They were so + marked in my account. I had to pay £13 to quash it. They + longed to hook me in, from mere hatred to London + missionaries. I did not remain an hour after I could move. + But I do not wonder at your anxiety for my speedy return. I + am sorry you have been disappointed, but you know no mortal + can control disease. The Makololo are wonderfully well + pleased with the path we have already made, and if I am + successful in going down to Quilimane, that will be still + better. I have written you by every opportunity, and am very + sorry your letters have been miscarried." + +To his father-in-law he expresses his warm gratitude for the stores. It +was feared by the natives that the goods were bewitched, so they were +placed on an island, a hut was built over them, and there Livingstone +found them on his arrival, a year after! A letter of twelve quarto pages +to Mr. Moffat gives his impressions of his journey, while another of +sixteen pages to Mrs. Moffat explains his "plans," about which she had +asked more full information. He quiets her fears by his favorite texts +for the present--"Commit thy way to the Lord," and "Lo, I am with you +alway"; and his favorite vision of the future--the earth full of the +knowledge of the Lord. He is somewhat cutting at the expense of +so-called "missionaries to the heathen, who never march into real +heathen territory, and quiet their consciences by opposing their +do-nothingism to my blundering do-somethingism!" He is indignant at the +charge made by some of his enemies that no good was done among the +Bakwains. They were, in many respects, a different people from before. +Any one who should be among the Makololo as he had been, would be +thankful for the state of the Bakwains. The seed would always bear +fruit, but the husbandman had need of great patience, and the end +was sure. + +Sekelétu had not been behaving well in Livingstone's absence. He had +been conducting marauding parties against his neighbors, which even +Livingstone's men, when they heard of it, pronounced to be "bad, bad." +Livingstone was obliged to reprove him. A new uniform had been sent to +the chief from Loanda, with which he appeared at church, "attracting +more attention than the sermon." He continued, however, to 'show the +same friendship for Livingstone, and did all he could for him when he +set out eastward. A new escort of men was provided, above a hundred and +twenty strong, with ten slaughter cattle, and three of his best riding +oxen; stores of food were given, and a right to levy tribute over the +tribes that were subject to Sekelétu as he passed through their borders. +If Livingstone had performed these journeys with some long-pursed +society or individual at his back, his feat even then would have been +wonderful; but it becomes quite amazing when we think that he went +without stores, and owed everything to the influence he acquired with +men like Sekelétu and the natives generally. His heart was much touched +on one occasion by the disinterested kindness of Sekelétu. Having lost +their way on a dark night in the forest, in a storm of rain and +lightning, and the luggage having been carried on, they had to pass the +night under a tree. The chief's blanket had not been carried on, and +Sekelétu placed Livingstone under it, and lay down himself on the wet +ground. "If such men must perish before the white by an immutable law +of heaven," he wrote to the Geographical Society (25th January, 1856), +"we must seem to be under the same sort of terrible necessity in our +Caffre wars as the American Professor of Chemistry said he was under, +when he dismembered the man whom he had murdered." + +Again Livingstone sets out on his weary way, untrodden by white man's +foot, to pass through unknown tribes, whose savage temper might give him +his quietus at any turn of the road. There were various routes to the +sea open to him. He chose the route along the Zambesi--though the the +most difficult, and through hostile tribes--because it seemed the most +likely to answer his desire to find a commercial highway to the coast. +Not far to the east of Linyanti, he beheld for the first time those +wonderful falls of which he had only heard before, giving an English +name to them,--the first he had ever given in all his African +journeys,--the Victoria Falls. We have seen how genuine his respect was +for his Sovereign, and it was doubtless a real though quiet pleasure to +connect her name with the grandest natural phenomenon in Africa, This is +one of the discoveries[43] that have taken most hold on the popular +imagination, for the Victoria Falls are like a second Niagara, but +grander and more astonishing; but except as illustrating his views of +the structure of Africa, and the distribution of its waters, it had not +much influence, and led to no very remarkable results. Right across the +channel of the river was a deep fissure only eighty feet wide, into +which the whole volume of the river, a thousand yards broad, tumbled to +the depth of a hundred feet[44], the fissure being continued in zigzag +form for thirty miles, so that the stream had to change its course from +right to left and left to right, and went through the hills boiling and +roaring, sending up columns of steam, formed by the compression of the +water falling into its narrow wedge-shaped receptacle. + +[Footnote 43: Virtually a discovery, though marked in an old map.] + +[Footnote 44: Afterward ascertained by him to be 1800 yards and 820 feet +respectively.] + +A discovery as to the structure of the country, long believed in by him, +but now fully verified, was of much more practical importance. It had +been ascertained by him that skirting the central hollow there were two +longitudinal ridges extremely favorable for settlements, both for +missions and merchandise. We shall hear much of this soon. + +Slowly but steadily the eastward tramp is continued, often over ground +which was far from favorable for walking exercise. "Pedestrianism," said +Livingstone, "may be all very well for those whose obesity requires much +exercise; but for one who was becoming as thin as a lath through the +constant perspiration caused by marching day after day in the hot sun, +the only good I saw in it was that it gave an honest sort of a man a +vivid idea of the tread-mill." + +When Livingstone came to England, and was writing books, his tendency +was rather to get stout than thin; and the disgust with which he spoke +then of the "beastly fat" seemed to show that if for nothing else than +to get rid of it he would have been glad to be on the tread-mill again. +In one of his letters to Mr. Maclear he thus speaks of a part of this +journey: "It was not likely that I should know our course well, for the +country there is covered with shingle and gravel, bushes, trees, and +grass, and we were without path. Skulking out of the way of villages +where we were expected to pay after the purse was empty, it was +excessively hot and steamy; the eyes had to be always fixed on the +ground to avoid being tripped." + +In the course of this journey he had even more exciting escapades among +hostile tribes than those which he had encountered on the way to Loanda. +His serious anxieties began when he passed beyond the tribes that owned +the sovereignty of Sekelétu. At the union of the rivers Loangwa and +Zambesi, the suspicious feeling regarding him reached a climax, and he +could only avoid the threatened doom of the Bazimka (_i.e._ Bastard +Portuguese) who had formerly incurred the wrath of the chief, by showing +his bosom, arms, and hair, and asking if the Bazimka were like that. +Livingstone felt that there was danger in the air. In fact, he never +seemed in more imminent peril: + + _14th January_, 1856.--At the confluence of the Loangwa and + Zambesi. Thank God for his great mercies thus far. How soon I + may be called to stand before Him, my righteous Judge, I know + not. All hearts are in his hands, and merciful and gracious + is the Lord our God. O Jesus, grant me resignation to Thy + will, and entire reliance on Thy powerful hand. On Thy Word + alone I lean. But wilt Thou permit me to plead for Africa? + The cause is Thine. What an impulse will be given to the idea + that Africa is not open if I perish now! See, O Lord, how the + heathen rise up against me, as they did to Thy Son. I commit + my way unto Thee. I trust also in Thee that Thou wilt direct + my steps. Thou givest wisdom liberally to all who ask + Thee--give it to me, my Father. My family is Thine. They are + in the best hands. Oh! be gracious, and all our sins do + Thou blot out. + + 'A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, + On Thy kind arms I fall.' + + Leave me not, forsake me not. I cast myself and all my cares + down at Thy feet. Thou knowest all I need, for time and + for eternity. + + "It seems a pity that the important facts about the two + healthy longitudinal ridges should not become known in + Christendom. Thy will be done!... They will not furnish us + with more canoes than two. I leave my cause and all my + concerns in the hands of God, my gracious Saviour, the Friend + of sinners. + + "_Evening_.--Felt much turmoil of spirit in view of having + all my plans for the welfare of this great region and teeming + population knocked on the head by savages to-morrow. But I + read that Jesus came and said, 'All power is given unto me in + heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all + nations--and lo, _I am with you alway, even unto the end of + the world_' It is the word of a gentleman of the most sacred + and strictest honor, and there is an end on't. I will not + cross furtively by night as I intended. It would appear as + flight, and should such a man as I flee? Nay, verily, I shall + take observations for latitude and longitude to-night, + though they may be the last. I feel quite calm now, + thank God. + + "15th _January_, 1856.--Left bank of Loangwa. The natives of + the surrounding country collected round us this morning all + armed. Children and women were sent away, and Mburuma's wife + who lives here was not allowed to approach, though she came + some way from her village in order to pay me a visit. Only + one canoe was lent, though we saw two tied to the bank. And + the part of the river we crossed at, about a mile from the + confluence, is a good mile broad. We passed all our goods + first, to an island in the middle, then the cattle and men, I + occupying the post of honor, being the last to enter the + canoe. We had, by this means, an opportunity of helping each + other in case of attack. They stood armed at my back for some + time. I then showed them my watch, burning-glass, etc., etc., + and kept them amused till all were over, except those who + could go into the canoe with me. I thanked them all for their + kindness and wished them peace." + +Nine days later they were again threatened by Mpende: + + _"23d January_, 1856.--At Mpende's this morning at sunrise, a + party of his people came close to our encampment, using + strange cries, and waving some red substance toward us. They + then lighted a fire with charms in it, and departed uttering + the same hideous screams as before. This is intended to + render us powerless, and probably also to frighten us. No + message has yet come from him, though several parties have + arrived, and profess to have come simply to see the white + man. Parties of his people have been collecting from all + quarters long before daybreak. It would be considered a + challenge--for us to move down the river, and an indication + of fear and invitation to attack if we went back. So we must + wait in patience, and trust in Him who has the hearts of all + men in his hands. To Thee, O God, we look. And, oh! Thou who + wast the man of sorrows for the sake of poor vile sinners, + and didst not disdain the thief's petition, remember me and + Thy cause in Africa. Soul and body, my family, and Thy cause, + I commit all to Thee. Hear, Lord, for Jesus' sake." + +In the entire records of Christian heroism, there are few more +remarkable occasions of the triumph of the spirit of holy trust than +those which are recorded here so quietly and modestly. We are carried +back to the days of the Psalmist: "I will not be afraid of ten thousand +of the people that have set themselves against me round about." In the +case of David Livingstone as of the other David, the triumph of +confidence was not the less wonderful that it was preceded by no small +inward tumult. Both were human creatures. But in both the flutter lasted +only till the soul had time to rally its trust--to think of God as a +living friend, sure to help in time of need. And how real is the sense +of God's presence! The mention of the two longitudinal ridges, and of +the refusal of the people to give more than two canoes, side by side +with the most solemn appeals, would have been incongruous, or even +irreverent, if Livingstone had not felt that he was dealing with the +living God, by whom every step of his own career and every movement of +his enemies were absolutely controlled. + +A single text often gave him all the help he needed: + + "It is singular," he says, "that the very same text which + recurred to my mind at every turn of my course in life in + this country and even in England, should be the same as + Captain Maclure, the discoverer of the Northwest Passage, + mentions in a letter to his sister as familiar in his + experience: 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean + not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge + Him and He shall direct thy steps. Commit thy way unto thy + Lord; trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.' Many + more, I have no doubt, of our gallant seamen feel that it is + graceful to acknowledge the gracious Lord in whom we live and + move and have our being. It is an advance surely in humanity + from that devilry which gloried in fearing neither God, nor + man, nor Devil, and made our wooden walls floating hells." + +His being enabled to reach the sanctuary of perfect peace in the +presence of his enemies was all the more striking if we consider--what +he felt keenly--that to live among the heathen is in itself very far +from favorable to the vigor or the prosperity of the spiritual life. +"Traveling from day to day among barbarians," he says in his Journal, +"exerts a most benumbing effect on the religious feelings of the soul." + +Among the subjects that occupied a large share of his thoughts in these +long and laborious journeys, two appear to have been especially +prominent: first, the configuration of the country; and second, the best +way of conducting missions, and bringing the people of Africa to Christ. + +The configuration of intertropical South Africa had long been with him a +subject of earnest study, and now he had come clearly to the conclusion +that the middle part was a table-land, depressed, however, in the +centre, and flanked by longitudinal ridges on the east and west; that +originally the depressed centre had contained a vast accumulation of +water, which had found ways of escape through fissures in the encircling +fringe of mountains, the result of volcanic action or of earthquakes. +The Victoria Falls presented the most remarkable of these fissures, and +thus served to verify and complete his theory. The great lakes in the +great heart of South Africa were the remains of the earlier accumulation +before the fissures were formed. Lake 'Ngami, large though it was, was +but a little fraction of the vast lake that had once spread itself over +the south. This view of the structure of South Africa he now found, from +a communication which reached him at Linyanti, had been anticipated by +Sir Roderick Murchison, who in 1852 had propounded it to the +Geographical Society. Livingstone was only amused at thus losing the +credit of his discovery; he contented himself with a playful remark on +his being "cut out" by Sir Roderick. But the coincidence of views was +very remarkable, and it lay at the foundation of that brotherlike +intimacy and friendship which ever marked his relation with Murchison. +One important bearing of the geographical fact was this; it was evident +that while the low districts were unhealthy, the longitudinal ridges by +which they were fringed were salubrious. Another of its bearings was, +that it would help them to find the course and perhaps the sources of +the great rivers, and thus facilitate commercial and missionary +operations. The discovery of the two healthy ridges, which made him so +unwilling to die at the mouth of the Loangwa, gave him new hopes for +missions and commerce. + +These and other matters connected with the state of the country formed +the subject of regular communications to the Geographical Society. +Between Loanda and Quilimane, six despatches were written at different +points[45]. Formerly, as we have seen, he had written through a Fellow +of the Society, his friend and former fellow-traveler, Captain, now +Colonel Steele; but as the Colonel had been called on duty to the +Crimea, he now addressed his letters to his countryman, Sir Roderick +Murchison. Sir Roderick was charmed with the compliment, and was not +slow to turn it to account, as appears from the following letter, the +first of very many communications which he addressed to Livingstone: + +[Footnote 45: The dates were Pungo Andongo, 24th December, 1864; +Cabango, 17th May, 1855; Linyanti, October 16, 1855; Chanyuni, 25th +January, 1856; Tette, 4th March, 1856; Quilimane, 23d May, 1856.] + + "16 BELGRAVE SQUARE, _October 2_, 1855. + + "MY DEAR SIR,--Your most welcome letter reached me after I + had made a tour in the Highlands, and just as the meeting of + the British Association for the Advancement of Science + commenced. + + "I naturally communicated your despatch to the Geographical + section of that body, and the reading of it called forth an + unanimous expression of admiration of your labors and + researches. + + "In truth, you will long ago, I trust, have received the + cordial thanks of all British geographers for your + unparalleled exertions, and your successful accomplishment of + the greatest triumph in geographical research which has been + effected in our times. + + "I rejoice that I was the individual in the Council of the + British Geographical Society who proposed that you should + receive our first gold medal of the past session, and I need + not say that the award was made by an unanimous and + cordial vote. + + "Permit me to thank you sincerely for having selected me as + your correspondent in the absence of Colonel Steele, and to + assure you that I shall consider myself as much honored, as I + shall certainly be gratified, by every fresh line which you + may have leisure to write to me. + + "Anxiously hoping that I may make your personal acquaintance, + and that you may return to us in health to receive the + homage of all geographers,--I remain, my dear Sir, yours most + faithfully, + + "RODCK* I. MURCHISON," + +The other subject that chiefly occupied Livingstone's mind at this time +was missionary labor. This, like all other labor, required to be +organized, on the principle of making the very best use of all the force +that was or could be contributed for missionary effort. With his fair, +open mind, he weighed the old method of monastic establishments, and, +_mutatis mutandis_, he thought something of the kind might be very +useful. He thought it unfair to judge of what these monasteries were in +their periods of youth and vigor, from the rottenness of their decay. +Modern missionary stations, indeed, with their churches, schools, and +hospitals, were like Protestant monasteries, conducted on the more +wholesome principle of family life; but they wanted stability; they had +not farms like monasteries, and hence they required to depend on the +mother country. From infancy to decay they were pauper institutions. In +Livingstone's judgment they needed to have more of the +self-supporting element: + + "It would be heresy to mention the idea of purchasing lands, + like religious endowments, among the stiff + Congregationalists; but an endowment conferred on a man who + will risk his life in an unhealthy climate, in order, + thereby, to spread Christ's gospel among the heathen, is + rather different, I ween, from the same given to a man to act + as pastor to a number of professed Christians.... Some may + think it creditable to our principles that we have not a + single acre of land, the gift of the Colonial Government, in + our possession. But it does not argue much for our foresight + that we have not farms of our own, equal to those of any + colonial farmer." + +Dr. Livingstone acknowledged the services of the Jesuit missionaries in +the cause of education and literature, and even of commerce. But while +conceding to them this meed of praise, he did not praise their worship. +He was slow, indeed, to disparage any form of worship--any form in +which men, however unenlightened, gave expression to their religious +feelings; but he could not away with the sight of men of intelligence +kissing the toe of an image of the Virgin, as he saw them doing in a +Portuguese church, and taking part in services in which they did not, +and could not, believe. If the missions of the Church of Rome had left +good effects on some parts of Africa, how much greater blessing might +not come from Protestant missions, with the Bible instead of the +Syllabus as their basis, and animated with the spirit of freedom instead +of despotism! + +With regard to that part of Africa which he had been exploring, he gives +his views at great length in a letter to the Directors, dated Linyanti, +12th October, 1855. After fully describing the physical features of the +country, he fastens on the one element which, more than any other, was +likely to hinder missions--fever. He does not deny that it is a serious +obstacle. But he argues at great length that it is not insurmountable. +Fever yields to proper treatment. His own experience was no rule to +indicate what might be reckoned on by others. His journeys had been made +under the worst possible conditions. Bad food, poor nursing, +insufficient medicines, continual drenchings, exhausting heat and toil, +and wearing anxiety had caused much of his illness. He gives a touching +detail of the hardships incident to his peculiar case, from which other +missionaries would be exempted, but with characteristic manliness he +charges the Directors not to publish that part of his letter, lest he +should appear to be making too much of his trials. "Sacrifices" he could +never call them, because nothing could be worthy of that name in the +service of Him who, though he was rich, for our sakes became poor. Two +or three times every day he had been wet up to the waist in crossing +streams and marshy ground. The rain was so drenching that he had often +to put his watch under his arm-pit to keep it dry. His good ox Sindbad +would never let him hold an umbrella. His bed was on grass, with only a +horse-cloth between. His food often consisted of bird-seed, +manioc-roots, and meal. No wonder if he suffered much. Others would not +have all that to bear. Moreover, if the fever of the district was +severe, it was almost the only disease. Consumption, scrofula, madness, +cholera, cancer, delirium tremens, and certain contagious diseases of +which much was heard in civilized countries, were hardly known. The +beauty of some parts of the country could not be surpassed. Much of it +was densely peopled, but in other parts the population was scattered. +Many of the tribes were friendly, and, for reasons of their own, would +welcome missionaries. The Makololo, for example, furnished an inviting +field. The dangers he had encountered arose from the irritating +treatment the tribes had received from half-cast traders and +slave-dealers, in consequence of which they had imposed certain taxes on +travelers, which, sometimes, he and his brother-chartists had refused to +pay. They were mistaken for slave-dealers. But character was a powerful +educator. A body of missionaries, maintaining everywhere the character +of honest, truthful, kind-hearted Christian gentlemen, would scatter +such prejudices to the winds. + +In instituting a comparison between the direct and indirect results of +missions, between conversion-work and the diffusion of better +principles, he emphatically assigns the preference to the latter. Not +that he undervalued the conversion of the most abject creature that +breathed. To the man individually his conversion was of over whelming +consequence, but with relation to the final harvest, it was more +important to sow the seed broadcast over a wide field than to reap a few +heads of grain on a single spot. Concentration was not the true +principle of missions. The Society itself had felt this, in sending +Morrison and Milne to be lost among the three hundred millions of China; +and the Church of England, in looking to the Antipodes, to Patagonia, +to East Africa, with the full knowledge that charity began at home. Time +was more essential than concentration. Ultimately there would be more +conversions, if only the seed were now more widely spread. + +He concludes by pointing out the difference between mere worldly +enterprises and missionary undertakings for the good of the world. The +world thought their mission schemes fanatical; the friends of missions, +on the other hand, could welcome the commercial enterprises of the world +as fitted to be useful. The Africans were all deeply imbued with the +spirit of trade. Commerce was so far good that it taught the people +their mutual dependence; but Christianity alone reached the centre of +African wants. "Theoretically," he concludes, "I would pronounce the +country about the junction of the Leeba and Leeambye or Kabompo, and +river of the Bashukulompo, as a most desirable centre-point for the +spread of civilization and Christianity; but unfortunately I must mar my +report by saying I feel a difficulty as to taking my children there +without their intelligent self-dedication. I can speak for my wife and +myself only. WE WILL GO, WHOEVER REMAINS BEHIND." + +Resuming the subject some months later, after he had got to the +sea-shore, he dwells on the belt of elevated land eastward from the +country of the Makololo, two degrees of longitude broad, and of unknown +length, as remarkably suitable for the residence of European +missionaries. It was formerly occupied by the Makololo, and they had a +great desire to resume the occupation. One great advantage of such a +locality was that it was on the border of the regions occupied by the +true negroes, the real nucleus of the African population, to whom they +owed a great debt, and who had shown themselves friendly and disposed to +learn. It was his earnest hope that the Directors would plant a mission +here, and his belief that they would thereby confer unlimited blessing +on the regions beyond. + +Some of the remarks in these passages, and also in the extracts which +we have given from his Journals, are of profound interest, as indicating +air important transition from the ideas of a mere missionary laborer to +those of a missionary general or statesman. In the early part of his +life he deemed it his joy and his honor to aim at the conversion of +individual souls, and earnestly did he labor and pray for that, although +his visible success was but small. But as he gets better acquainted with +Africa, and reaches a more commanding point of view, he sees the +necessity for other work. The continent must be surveyed, healthy +localities for mission-stations must be found, the temptations to a +cursed traffic in human flesh must be removed, the products of the +country must be turned to account; its whole social economy must be +changed. "The accomplishment of such objects, even in a limited degree, +would be an immense service to the missionary; it would be such a +preparing of his way that a hundred years hence the spiritual results +would be far greater than if all the effort now were concentrated on +single souls. To many persons it appeared as if dealing with individual +souls were the only proper work of a missionary, and as if one who had +been doing such work would be lowering himself if he accepted any other. +Livingstone never stopped to reason as to which was the higher or the +more desirable work; he felt that Providence was calling him to be less +of a missionary journeyman and more of a missionary statesman; but the +great end was ever the same-- + + "THE END OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL FEAT is ONLY + THE BEGINNING OF THE ENTERPRISE." + +Livingstone reached the Portuguese settlement of Tette on the 3d March, +1856, and the "civilized breakfast" which the commandant, Major Sicard, +sent forward to him, on his way, was a luxury like Mr. Gabriel's bed at +Loanda, and made him walk the last eight miles without the least +sensation of fatigue, although the road was so rough that, as a +Portuguese soldier remarked, it was like "to tear a man's life out of +him." At Loanda he had heard of the battle of the Alma; after being in +Tette a short time he heard of the fall of Sebastopol and the end of the +Crimean War. He remained in Tette till the 23d April, detained by an +attack of fever, receiving extraordinary kindness from the Governor, +and, among other tokens of affection, a gold chain for his daughter +Agnes, the work of an inhabitant of the town. These gifts were duly +acknowledged. It was at this place that Dr. Livingstone left his +Makololo followers, with instructions to wait for him till he should +return from England. Well entitled though he was to a long rest, he +deliberately gave up the possibility of it, by engaging to return for +his black companions. + +In the case of Dr. Livingstone, rest meant merely change of employment, +and while resting and recovering from fever, he wrote a large budget of +long and interesting letters. One of these was addressed to the King of +Portugal: it affords clear evidence that, however much Livingstone felt +called to reprobate the deeds of some of his subordinates, he had a +respectful feeling for the King himself, a grateful sense of the +kindness received from his African subjects, and an honest desire to aid +the wholesome development of the Portuguese colonies. It refutes, by +anticipation, calumnies afterward circulated to the effect that +Livingstone's real design was to wrest the Portuguese settlements in +Africa from Portugal, and to annex them to the British Crown. He refers +most gratefully to the great kindness and substantial aid he had +received from His Majesty's subjects, and is emboldened thereby to +address him on behalf of Africa. He suggests certain agricultural +products--especially wheat and a species of wax--that might be +cultivated with enormous profit. A great stimulus might be given to the +cultivation of other products--coffee, cotton, sugar, and oil. Much had +been done for Angola, but with little result, because the colonists' +leant on Government instead of trusting to themselves. Illegitimate +traffic (the slave-trade) was not at present remunerative, and now was +the time to make a great effort to revive wholesome enterprise. A good +road into the interior would be a great boon. Efforts to provide roads +and canals had failed for want of superintendents. Dr. Livingstone named +a Portuguese engineer who would superintend admirably. The fruits of the +Portuguese missions were still apparent, but there was a great want of +literature, of books. + + "It will not be denied," concludes the letter, "that those + who, like your Majesty, have been placed over so many human + souls, have a serious responsibility resting upon them in + reference to their future welfare. The absence also of + Portuguese women In the colony is a circumstance which seems + to merit the attention of Government for obvious reasons. And + if any of these suggestions should lead to the formation of a + middle class of free laborers, I feel sure that Angola would + have cause to bless your Majesty to the remotest time." + +Dr. Livingstone has often been accused of claiming for himself the +credit of discoveries made by others, of writing as if he had been the +first to traverse routes in which he had really been preceded by the +Portuguese. Even were it true that now and then an obscure Portuguese +trader or traveler reached spots that lay in Dr. Livingstone's +subsequent route, the fact would detract nothing from his merit, because +he derived not a tittle of benefit from their experience, and what he +was concerned about was, not the mere honor of being first at a place, +as if he had been running a race, but to make it known to the world, to +bring it into the circuit of commerce and Christianity, and thus place +it under the influence of the greatest blessings. But even as to being +first, Livingstone was careful not to claim anything that was really due +to others. Writing from Tette to Sir Roderick in March, 1856, he says: +"It seems proper to mention what has been done in former times in the +way of traversing the continent, and the result of my inquiries leads to +the belief that the honor belongs to our country." He refers to the +brave attempt of Captain José da Roga, in 1678, to penetrate from +Benguela to the Rio da Senna, in which attempt, however, so much +opposition was encountered that he was compelled to return. In 1800, +Lacerda revived the project by proposing a chain of forts along the +banks of the Coanza. In 1815, two black traders showed the possibility +of communication from east to west, by bringing to Loanda communications +from the Governor of Mozambique. Some Arabs and Moors went from the East +Coast to Benguela, and with a view to improve the event, "a million of +Reis (£142) and an honorary captaincy in the Portuguese army was offered +to any one who would accompany them back--but none went." The journey +had several times been performed by Arabs. + + "I do not feel so much elated," continued Dr. Livingstone, + "by the prospect of accomplishing this feat. I feel most + thankful to God for preserving my life, where so many, who by + superior intelligence would have done more good, have been + cut off. But it does not look as if I had reached the goal. + Viewed in relation to my calling, the end of the geographical + feat is only the beginning of the enterprise. Apart from + family longings, I have a most intense longing to hear how it + has fared with our brave men at Sebastopol. My last scrap of + intelligence was the _Times_, 17th November, 1855, after the + terrible affair of the Light Cavalry. The news was not + certain about a most determined attack to force the way to + Balaclava, and Sebastopol expected every day to fall, and I + have had to repress all my longings since, except in a poor + prayer to prosper the cause of justice and right, and cover + the heads of our soldiers in the day of battle." [A few days + later he heard the news.] "We are all engaged in very much + the same cause. Geographers, astronomers, and mechanicians, + laboring to make men better acquainted with each other; + sanitary reformers, prison reformers, promoters of ragged + schools and Niger Expeditions; soldiers fighting for right + against oppression, and sailors rescuing captives in deadly + climes, as well as missionaries, are all aiding in hastening + on a glorious consummation to all God's dealings with our + race. In the hope that I may yet be honored to do some good + to this poor long downtrodden Africa, the gentlemen over + whom you have the honor to preside will, I believe, cordially + join." + +From Tette he went on to Senna. Again he is treated with extraordinary +kindness by Lieutenant Miranda, and others, and again he is prostrated +by an attack of fever. Provided with a comfortable boat, he at last +reaches Quilimane on the 20th May, and is most kindly received by +Colonel Nunes, "one of the best men in the country." Dr. Livingstone has +told us in his book how his joy in reaching Quilimane was embittered on +his learning that Captain Maclure, Lieutenant Woodruffe, and five men of +H.M.S. "Dart," had been drowned off the bar in coming to Quilimane to +pick him up, and how he felt as if he would rather have died +for them[46]. + +[Footnote 46: Among Livingstone's papers we have found draft letter to +the Admiralty, earnestly commending to their Lordship's favorable +consideration a petition from the widow of one of the men. He had never +seen her, he said, but he had been the unconscious cause of her +husband's death, and all the joy he felt in crossing the continent was +embittered when the news of the sad catastrophe reached him.] + +News from across the Atlantic likewise informed him that his nephew and +namesake, David Livingston, a fine lad eleven years of age, had been +drowned in Canada. All the deeper was his gratitude for the goodness and +mercy that had followed him and preserved him, as he says in his private +Journal, from "many dangers not recorded in this book." + +The retrospect in his _Missionary Travels_ of the manner in which his +life had been ordered up to this point, is so striking that our +narrative would be deficient if it did not contain it: + + "If the reader remembers the way in which I was led, while + teaching the Bakwains, to commence exploration, he will, I + think, recognize the hand of Providence. Anterior to that, + when Mr. Moffat began to give the Bible--the Magna Charta of + all the rights and privileges of modern civilization--to the + Bechuanas, Sebituane went north, and spread the language into + which he was translating the sacred oracles, in a new region + larger than France. Sebituane, at the same time, rooted out + hordes of bloody savages, among whom no white man could have + gone without leaving his skull to ornament some village. He + opened up the way for me--let us hope also for the Bible. + Then, again, while I was laboring at Kolobeng, seeing only a + small arc of the cycle of Providence, I could not understand + it, and felt inclined to ascribe our successive and prolonged + droughts to the wicked one. But when forced by these, and the + Boers, to become explorer, and open a new country in the + north rather than set my face southward, where missionaries + are not needed, the gracious Spirit of God influenced the + minds of the heathen to regard me with favor, the Divine hand + is again perceived. Then I turned away westward, rather than + in the opposite direction, chiefly from observing that some + native Portuguese, though influenced by the hope of a reward + from their Government to cross the continent, had been + obliged to return from the east without accomplishing their + object. Had I gone at first in the eastern direction, which + the course of the great Leeambye seemed to invite, I should + have come among the belligerents near Tette when the war was + raging at its height, instead of, as it happened, when all + was over. And again, when enabled to reach Loanda, the + resolution to do my duty by going back to Linyanti probably + saved me from the fate of my papers in the 'Forerunner.' And + then, last of all, this new country is partially opened to + the sympathies of Christendom, and I find that Sechéle + himself has, though unbidden by man, been teaching his own + people. In fact, he has been doing all that I was prevented + from doing, and I have been employed in exploring--a work I + had no previous intention of performing. I think that I see + the operation of the Unseen Hand in all this, and I humbly + hope that it will still guide me to do good in my day and + generation in Africa." + +In looking forward to the work to which Providence seemed to be calling +him, a communication received at Quilimane disturbed him not a little. +It was from the London Missionary Society. It informed him that the +Directors were restricted in their power of aiding plans connected only +remotely with the spread of the gospel, and that even though certain +obstacles (from tsetse, etc.) should prove surmountable, "the financial +circumstances of the Society are not such as to afford any ground of +hope that it would be in a position within any definite period to +undertake untried any remote and difficult fields of labor." Dr. +Livingstone very naturally understood this as a declinature of his +proposals. Writing on the subject to Rev. William Thompson, the +Society's agent at Cape Town, he said: + + "I had imagined in my simplicity that both my preaching, + conversation, and travel were as nearly connected with the + spread of the gospel as the Boers would allow them to be. A + plan of opening up a path from either the East or West Coast + for the teeming population of the interior was submitted to + the judgment of the Directors, and received their formal + approbation. + + "I have been seven times in peril of my life from savage men + while laboriously and without swerving pursuing that plan, + and never doubting that I was in the path of duty. + + "Indeed, so clearly did I perceive that I was performing good + service to the cause of Christy that I wrote to my brother + that I would perish rather than fail in my enterprise. I + shall not boast of what I have done, but the wonderful mercy + I have received will constrain me to follow out the work in + spite of the veto of the Board. + + "If it is according to the will of God, means will be + provided from other quarters." + +A long letter to the Secretary gives a fuller statement of his views. It +is so important as throwing light on his missionary consistency, that we +give it in full in the Appendix[47]. + +[Footnote 47: Appendix No. III.] + +The Directors showed a much more sympathetic spirit when Livingstone +came among them, but meanwhile, as he tells us in his book, his old +feeling of independence had returned, and it did not seem probable that +he would remain in the same relation to the Society. + +After Livingstone had been six weeks at Quilimane, H.M. brig "Frolic" +arrived, with ample supplies for all his need, and took him to the +Mauritius, where he arrived on 12th August, 1856. It was during this +voyage that the lamentable insanity and suicide of his native attendant +Sekwebu occurred, of which we have an account in the _Missionary +Travels_. At the Mauritius he was the guest of General Hay, from whom +he received the greatest kindness, and so rapid was his recovery from an +affection of the spleen which his numerous fevers had bequeathed, that +before he left the island he wrote to Commodore Trotter and other +friends that he was perfectly well, and "quite ready to go back to +Africa again." This, however, was not to be just yet. In November he +sailed through the Red Sea, on the homeward route. He had expected to +land at Southampton, and there Mrs. Livingstone and other friends had +gone to welcome him. But the perils of travel were not yet over. A +serious accident befell the ship, which might have been followed by +fatal results but for that good Providence that held the life of +Livingstone so carefully. Writing to Mrs. Livingstone from the Bay of +Tunis (27th November, 1856), he says: + + "We had very rough weather after leaving Malta, and yesterday + at midday the shaft of the engine--an enormous mass of + malleable iron--broke with a sort of oblique fracture, + evidently from the terrific strains which the tremendous seas + inflicted as they thumped and tossed this gigantic vessel + like a plaything. We were near the island called Zembra, + which is in sight of the Bay of Tunis. The wind, which had + been a full gale ahead when we did not require it, now fell + to a dead calm, and a current was drifting our gallant ship, + with her sails flapping all helplessly, against the rocks; + the boats were provisioned, watered, and armed, the number + each was to carry arranged (the women and children to go in + first, of course), when most providentially a wind sprung up + and carried us out of danger into the Bay of Tunis, where I + now write. The whole affair was managed by Captain Powell + most admirably. He was assisted by two gentlemen whom we all + admire--Captain Tregear of the same Company, and Lieutenant + Chimnis of the Royal Navy, and though they and the sailors + knew that the vessel was so near destruction as to render it + certain that we should scarcely clear her in the boats before + the swell would have overwhelmed her, all was managed so + quietly that none of us passengers knew much about it. Though + we saw the preparation, no alarm spread among us. The Company + will do everything in their power to forward us quickly and + safely. I'm only sorry for your sake, but patience is a great + virtue, you know. Captain Tregear has been six years away + from his family, I only four and a half." + +The passengers were sent on _viâ_ Marseilles, and Livingstone proceeded +homeward by Paris and Dover. + +At last he reached "dear old England" on the 9th of December, 1856. +Tidings of a great sorrow had reached him on the way. At Cairo he heard +of the death of his father. He had been ill a fortnight, and died full +of faith and peace. "You wished so much to see David," said his daughter +to him as his life was ebbing away. "Ay, very much, very much; but the +will of the Lord be done." Then after a pause he said, "But I think I'll +know whatever is worth knowing about him. When you see him, tell him I +think so." David had not less eagerly desired to sit once more at the +fireside and tell his father of all that had befallen him on the way. On +both sides the desire had to be classed among hopes unfulfilled. But on +both sides there was a vivid impression that the joy so narrowly missed +on earth would be found in a purer form in the next stage of being. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +FIRST VISIT HOME. + +A.D. 1856-1857. + +Mrs. Livingstone--Her intense anxieties--Her poetical +welcome--Congratulatory letters from Mrs. and Dr, Moffat--Meeting of +welcome of Royal Geographical Society--of London Missionary +Society--Meeting in Mansion House--Enthusiastic public meeting at Cape +Town--Livingstone visits Hamilton--Returns to London to write his +book--Letter to Mr. Maclear--Dr. Risdon Bennett's reminiscences of this +period--Mr. Frederick Fitch's--Interview with Prince +Consort--Honors--Publication and great success of _Missionary +Travels_--Character and design of the book--Why it was not more of a +missionary record--Handsome conduct of publisher--Generous use of the +profits--Letter to a lady in Carlisle vindicating the character of +his speeches. + + +The years that had elapsed since Dr. Livingstone bade his wife farewell +at Cape Town had been to her years of deep and often terrible anxiety. +Letters, as we have seen, were often lost, and none seem more frequently +to have gone missing than those between him and her. A stranger in +England, without a home, broken in health, with a family of four to care +for, often without tidings of her husband for great stretches of time, +and harassed with anxieties and apprehensions that sometimes proved too +much for her faith, the strain on her was very great. Those who knew her +in Africa, when, "queen of the wagon," and full of life, she directed +the arrangements and sustained the spirits of a whole party, would +hardly have thought her the same person in England. When Livingstone had +been longest unheard of, her heart sank altogether; but through prayer, +tranquillity of mind returned, even before the arrival of any letter +announcing his safety. She had been waiting for him at Southampton, +and, owing to the casualty in the Bay of Tunis, he arrived at Dover, but +as soon as possible he was with her, reading the poetical welcome which +she had prepared in the hope that they would never part again: + + "A hundred thousand welcomes, and it's time for you to come + From the far land of the foreigner, to your country and your home. + O long as we were parted, ever since you went away, + I never passed a dreamless night, or knew an easy day. + + So you think I would reproach you with the sorrows that I bore? + Since the sorrow is all over, now I have you here once more, + And there's nothing but the gladness, and the love within my heart, + And the hope so sweet and certain that again we'll never part. + + * * * * * + + A hundred thousand welcomes! how my heart is gushing o'er + With the love and joy and wonder thus to see your face once more. + How did I live without you these long long years of woe? + It seems as if 'twould kill me to be parted from you now. + + You'll never part me, darling, there's a promise in your eye; + I may tend you while I'm living, you may watch me when I die; + And if death but kindly lead me to the blessed home on high, + What a hundred thousand welcomes will await you in the sky! + + "MARY." + +Having for once lifted the domestic veil, we cannot resist the +temptation to look into another corner of the home circle. Among the +letters of congratulation that poured in at this time, none was more +sincere or touching than that which Mrs. Livingstone received from her +mother, Mrs. Moffat[48]. In the fullnes of her congratulations she does +not forget the dark shadow that falls on the missionary's wife when the +time comes for her to go back with her husband to their foreign home, +and requires her to part with her children; tears and smiles mingle in +Mrs. Moffat's letter as she reminds her daughter that they that rejoice +need to be as though they rejoiced not: + +[Footnote 48: We have been greatly impressed by Mrs. Moffat's letters. +She was evidently a woman of remarkable power. If her life had been +published, we are convinced that it would have been a notable one in +missionary biography. Heart and head were evidently of no common +calibre. Perhaps it is not yet too late for some friend to think +of this.] + + "_Kuruman, December_ 4, 1856.--MY DEAREST MARY,--In + proportion to the anxiety I have experienced about you and + your dear husband for some years past, so now is my joy and + satisfaction; even though we have not yet heard the glad + tidings of your having really met, but this for the present + we take for granted. Having from the first been in a subdued + and chastened state of mind on the subject, I endeavor still + to be moderate in my joy. With regard to you both ofttimes + has the sentence of death been passed in my mind, and at such + seasons I dared not, desired not, to rebel, submissively + leaving all to the Divine disposal; but I now feel that this + has been a suitable preparation for what is before me, having + to contemplate a complete separation from you till that day + when we meet with the spirits of just men made perfect in the + kingdom of our Father. Yes, I do feel solemn at death, but + there is no melancholy about it, for what is our life, so + short and so transient? And seeing it is so, we should be + happy to do or to suffer as much as we can for him who bought + us with his blood. Should you go to those wilds which God has + enabled your husband, through numerous dangers and deaths, to + penetrate, there to spend the remainder of your life, and as + a consequence there to suffer manifold privations, in + addition to those trials through which you have already + passed--and they have not been few (for you had a hard life + in this interior)--you will not think all _too much_, when + you stand with that multitude who have washed their robes in + the blood of the Lamb! + + "Yet, my dear Mary, while we are yet in the flesh my heart + will yearn over you. You are my own dear child, my + first-born, and recent circumstances have had a tendency to + make me feel still more tenderly toward you, and deeply as I + have sympathized with you for the last few years, I shall not + cease to do so for the future. Already is my imagination busy + picturing the various scenes through which you must pass, + from the first transport of joy on meeting till that painful + anxious hour when you must bid adieu to your darlings, with + faint hopes of ever seeing them again in this life; and then, + what you may both have to pass through in those inhospitable + regions.... + + "From what I saw in Mr. Livingston's letter to Robert, I was + shocked to think that that poor head, in the prime of + manhood, was so like my own, who am literally worn out. The + symptoms he describes are so like my own. Now, with a little + rest and relaxation, having youth on his side, he might + regain all, but I cannot help fearing for him if he dashes + at once into hardships again. He is certainly the wonder of + his age, and with a little prudence as regards his health, + the stores of information he now possesses might be turned to + a mighty account for poor wretched Africa.... We do not yet + see how Mr. L. will get on--the case seems so complex. I + feel, as I have often done, that as regards ourselves it is a + subject more for prayer than for deliberation, separated as + we are by such distances, and such a tardy and eccentric + post. I used to imagine that when he was once got out safely + from this dark continent we should only have to praise God + for all his mercies to him and to us all, and for what He had + effected by him; but now I see we must go on seeking the + guidance and direction of his providential hand, and + sustaining and preventing mercy. We cannot cease to remember + you daily, and thus our sympathy will be kept alive with + you...." + +Dr. Moffatt's congratulation to his son-in-law was calm and hearty: + + "Your explorations have created immense interest, and + especially in England, and that man must be made of + bend-leather who can remain unmoved at the rehearsal even of + a tithe of your daring enterprises. The honors awaiting you + at home would be enough to make a score of light heads dizzy, + but I have no fear of their affecting your upper story, + beyond showing you that your labors to lay open the recesses + of the fast interior have been appreciated. It will be almost + too much for dear Mary to hear that you are verily unscathed. + She has had many to sympathize with her, and I daresay many + have called you a very naughty man for thus having exposed + your life a thousand times. Be that as it may, you have + succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectations in laying + open a world of immortal beings, all needing the gospel, and + at a time, now that war is over, when people may exert their + exergies on an object compared with which that which has + occupied the master minds of Europe, and expended so much + money, and shed so much blood, is but a phantom." + +On the 9th of December, as we have seen, Livingstone arrived at London. +He went first to Southampton, where his wife was waiting for him, and on +his return to London was quickly in communication with Sir Roderick +Murchison. On the 15th December the Royal Geographic Society held a +special meeting to welcome him. Sir Roderick was in the chair; the +attendance was numerous and distinguished, and included some of +Livingstone's previous fellow-travelers, Colonel Steele, Captain Vardon, +and Mr. Oswell. The President referred to the meeting of May, 1855, when +the Victoria or Patron's medal had been awarded to Livingstone for his +journey from the Cape to Linyanti and Loanda. Now Livingstone had added +to that feat the journey from the Atlantic Ocean at Loanda to the Indian +Ocean at Quilimane, and during his several journeys had traveled over +not less than eleven thousand miles of African ground. Surpassing the +French missionary travelers, Hue and Gabet, he had determined, by +astronomical observations, the site of numerous places, hills, rivers, +and lakes, previously unknown. He had seized every opportunity of +describing the physical structure, geology, and climatology of the +countries traversed, and making known their natural products and +capabilities. He had ascertained by experience, what had been only +conjectured previously, that the interior of Africa was a plateau +intersected by various lakes and rivers, the waters of which escaped to +the Eastern and Western oceans by deep rents in the flanking hills. +Great though these achievements were, the most honorable' of all +Livingstone's acts had yet to be mentioned--the fidelity that kept his +promise to the natives, who, having accompanied him to St. Paul de +Loanda, were reconducted by him from that city to their homes. + + "Bare fortitude and virtue must our medalist have possessed, + when, having struggled at the imminent risk of his life + through such obstacles, and when, escaping from the interior, + he had been received with true kindness by our old allies, + the Portuguese at Angola, he nobly resolved to redeem his + promise and retrace his steps to the interior of the vast + continent! How much indeed must the influence of the British + name be enhanced throughout Africa, when it has been + promulgated that our missionary has thus kept his plighted + word to the poor natives who faithfully stood by him!" + +On receiving the medal, Livingstone apologized for his rustiness in the +use of his native tongue; said that he had only done his duty as a +Christian missionary in opening up a part of Africa to the sympathy of +Christendom: that Steele, Vardon, or Oswell might have done all that he +had done; that as yet he was only buckling on his armor, and therefore +in no condition to speak boastfully; and that the enterprise would never +be complete till the slave-trade was abolished, and the whole country +opened up to commerce and Christianity. + +Among the distinguished men who took part in the conversation that +followed was Professor Owen. He bore testimony to the value of +Livingstone's contributions to zoology and palæontology, not less +cordial than Sir Roderick Murchison had borne to his service to +geography. He had listened with very intense interest to the sketches of +these magnificent scenes of animal life that his old and most esteemed +friend had given them. He cordially hoped that many more such +contributions would follow, and expressed his admiration of the moral +qualities of the man who had taken such pains to keep his word. + +In the recognition by other gentlemen of Dr. Livingstone's labors, much +stress was laid on the scientific accuracy with which he had laid down +every point over which he had traveled. Thanks were given to the +Portuguese authorities in Africa for the remarkable kindness which they +had invariably shown him. Mr. Consul Brand reported tidings from Mr. +Gabriel at Loanda, to the effect that a company of Sekelétu's people had +arrived at Loanda, with a cargo of ivory, and though they had not been +very successful in business, they had shown the practicability of the +route. He added, that Dr. Livingstone, at Loanda, had written some +letters to a newspaper, which had given such an impetus to literary +taste there, that a new journal had been started--the _Loanda Aurora_. + +On one other point there was a most cordial expression of feeling, +especially by those who had themselves been in South Africa,--gratitude +for the unbounded kindness and hospitality that Dr. and Mrs. Livingstone +had shown to South African travelers in the neighborhood of their home. +Happily Mrs. Livingstone was present, and heard this acknowledgment of +her kindness. + +Next day, 16th December, Dr. Livingstone had his reception from the +London Missionary Society in Freemason's Hall. Lord Shaftesbury was in +the chair: + + "What better thing can we do," asked the noble Earl, "than to + welcome such a man to the shores of our country? What better + than to receive him with thanksgiving and rejoicings that he + is spared to refresh us with his presence, and give his + strength to future exertions? What season more appropriate + than this, when at every hearth, and in every congregation of + worshipers, the name of Christ will be honored with more than + ordinary devotion, to receive a man whose life and labors + have been in humble, hearty, and willing obedience to the + angels' song, 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, + good-will toward men.'" + +In reply, Livingstone acknowledged the kindness of the Directors, with +whom, for sixteen years, he had never had a word of difference. He +referred to the slowness of the African tribes, in explanation of the +comparatively small progress of the gospel among them. He cordially +acknowledged the great services of the British squadron on the West +Coast in the repressing of the slave-trade. He had been told that to +make such explorations as he was engaged in was only a tempting of +Providence, but such ridiculous assertions were only the utterances of +the weaker brethren. + +Lord Shaftesbury's words at the close of this meeting, in honor of Mrs. +Livingstone, deserve to be perpetuated: + + "That lady," he said, "was born with one distinguished name, + which she had changed for another. She was born a Moffat, and + she became a Livingstone. She cheered the early part of our + friend's earner by her spirit, her counsel, and her society. + Afterward, when she reached this country, she passed many + years with her children in solitude and anxiety, suffering + the greatest fears for the welfare of her husband, and yet + enduring all with patience and resignation, and even joy, + because she had surrendered her best feelings, and sacrificed + her own private interests, to the advancement of civilization + and the great interests of Christianity." + +A more general meeting was held in the Mansion House on the 5th of +January, to consider the propriety of presenting a testimonial to Dr. +Livingstone. It was addressed by the Bishop of London, Mr. Raikes +Currie, and others. + +Meanwhile, a sensible impulse was given to the _scientific_ enthusiasm +for Livingstone by the arrival of the report of a great meeting held in +Africa itself in honor of the missionary explorer. At Cape Town, on 12th +November, 1856, His Excellency the Governor, Sir George Grey, the +Colonial Secretary, the Astronomer-Royal, the Attorney-General, Mr. +Rutherfoord, the Bishop, the Rev. Mr. Thompson, and others, vied with +each other in expressing their sense of Livingstone's character and +work. The testimony of the Astronomer-Royal to Livingstone's eminence as +an astronomical observer was even more emphatic than Murchison's and +Owen's to his attainments in geography and natural history. Going over +his whole career, Mr. Maclear showed his unexampled achievements in +accurate lunar observation. "I never knew a man," he said, "who, knowing +scarcely anything of the method of making geographical observations, or +laying down positions, became so soon an adept, that he could take the +complete lunar observation, and altitudes for time, within fifteen +minutes." His observations of the course of the Zambesi, from Seshéke to +its confluence with the Lonta, were considered by the Astronomer-Royal +to be "the finest specimens of sound geographical observation he ever +met with." + + "To give an idea of the laboriousness of this branch of his + work," he adds, "on an average each lunar distance consists + of five partial observations, and there are 148 sets of + distances, being 740 contacts,--and there are two altitudes + of each object before, and two after, which, together with + altitudes for time, amount to 2812 partial observations. But + that is not the whole of his observations. Some of them + intrusted to an Arab have not been received, and in reference + to those transmitted he says, 'I have taken others which I do + not think it necessary to send.' How completely all this + stamps the impress of Livingstone on the interior of South + Africa!... I say, what that man has done is unprecedented.... + You could go to any point across the entire continent, along + Livingstone's track, and feel certain of your position[49]." + +[Footnote 49: It seems unaccountable that in the face of such unrivaled +testimonies, reflections should continue to be cast on Livingstone's +scientific accuracy, even so late as the meeting of the British +Association at Sheffield in 1879. The family of the late Sir Thomas +Maclear have sent home his collection of Livingstone's papers. They fill +a box which one man could with difficulty carry. And their mass is far +from their most striking quality. The evidence of laborious, painstaking +care to be accurate is almost unprecedented. Folio volumes of pages +covered with figures show how much time and labor must have been spent +in these computations. Explanatory remarks often indicate the +particulars of the observation.] + +Following this unrivaled eulogium on the scientific powers of +Livingstone came the testimony of Mr. Thompson to his missionary ardor: + + 'I am in a position to express my earnest conviction, formed + in long, intimate, unreserved communications with him, + personally and by letter, that in the privations, sufferings, + and dangers he has passed through, during the last eight + years, he has not been actuated by mere curiosity; or the + love of adventure, or the thirst for applause, or by any + other object, however laudable in itself, less than his + avowed one as a messenger of Christian love from the + Churches. If ever there was a man who, by realizing the + obligations of his sacred calling as a Christian missionary, + and intelligently comprehending its object, sought to pursue + it to a successful issue, such a man is Dr. Livingstone. The + spirit in which he engages in his work may be seen in the + following extract from one of his letters: 'You kindly say + you fear for the result of my going in alone. I hope I am in + the way of duty; my own conviction that such is the case has + never wavered. I am doing something for God. I have preached + the gospel in many a spot where the name of Christ has never + been heard, and I would wish to do still more in the way of + reducing the Barotse language, if I had not suffered so + severely from fever. Exhaustion produced vertigo, causing + me, if I looked suddenly up, almost to lose consciousness; + this made me give up sedentary work; but I hope God will + accept of what I can do.' + +A third gentleman at this meeting, Mr. Rutherfoord, who had known +Livingstone for many years, besides describing him as "one of the most +honorable, benevolent, conscientious men I ever met with," bore +testimony to his capacity in mercantile affairs; not exercised in his +own interest, but in that of others. It was Mr. Rutherfoord who, when +Livingstone was at the Cape in 1852, entered into his plans for +supplanting the slave-trade by lawful traffic, and at his suggestion +engaged George Fleming to go north with him as a trader, and try the +experiment. The project was not very successful, owing to innumerable +unforeseen worries, and especially the rascality of Fleming's men. +Livingstone found it impossible to take Fleming to the coast, and had +therefore to send him back, but he did his utmost to prevent loss to his +friend; and thus, as Mr. Rutherfoord said, "at the very time that he was +engaged in such important duties, and exposed to such difficulties, he +found time to fulfill his promise to do what he could to save me from +loss, to attend to a matter quite foreign to his usual avocations, and +in which he had no personal interest; and by his energy and good sense, +and self-denying exertions, to render the plan, if not perfectly +successful, yet by no means a failure." + +Traveler, geographer, zoologist, astronomer, missionary, physician, and +mercantile director, did ever man sustain so many characters at once? Or +did ever man perform the duties of each with such painstaking accuracy +and so great success? + +As soon as he could tear himself from his first engagements, he ran down +to Hamilton to see his mother, children, and other relatives. His +father's empty chair deeply affected him. "The first evening," writes +one of his sisters, "he asked all about his illness and death. One of +us remarking that after he knew he was dying his spirits seemed to rise, +David burst into tears. At family worship that evening he said with deep +feeling--'We bless thee, O Lord, for our parents; we give thee thanks +for the dead who has died in the Lord.'" + +At first Livingstone thought that his stay in this country could be only +for three or four months, as he was eager to be at Quilimane before the +unhealthy season set in, and thus fulfill his promise to return to his +Makololo at Tette. But on receiving an assurance from the Portuguese +Government (which, however, was never fulfilled _by them_) that his men +would be looked after, he made up his mind for a somewhat longer stay. +But it could not be called rest. As soon as he could settle down he had +to set to work with a book. So long before as May, 1856, Sir Roderick +Murchison had written to him that "Mr. John Murray, the great publisher, +is most anxious to induce you to put together all your data, and to make +a good book," adding his own strong advice to comply with the request. +If he ever doubted the propriety of writing the book, the doubt must +have vanished, not only in view of the unequaled interest excited by the +subject, but also of the readiness of unprincipled adventurers, and even +some respectable publishers, to circulate narratives often mythical and +quite unauthorized. + +The early part of the year 1857 was mainly occupied with the labor of +writing. For this he had materials in the Journals which he had kept so +carefully; but the business of selection and supplementing was +laborious, and the task of arrangement and transcription very irksome. +In fact, this task tried the patience of Livingstone more than any which +he had yet undertaken, and he used to say that he would rather cross +Africa than write another book. His experience of book-making increased +his respect for authors and authoresses a hundred-fold! + +We are not, however, inclined to think that this trial was due to the +cause which Livingstone assigned,--his want of experience, and want of +command over the English tongue. He was by no means an inexperienced +writer. He had written large volumes of Journals, memoirs for the +Geographical Society, articles on African Missions, letters for the +Missionary Society, and private letters without end, each usually as +long as a pamphlet. He was master of a clear, simple, idiomatic style, +well fitted to record the incidents of a journey--sometimes poetical in +its vivid pictures, often brightening into humor, and sometimes +deepening into pathos. Viewing it page by page, the style of the +_Missionary Travels_ is admirable, the chief defect being want of +perspective; the book is more a collection of pieces than an organized +whole: a fault inevitable, perhaps, in some measure, from its nature, +but aggravated, as we believe, by the haste and pressure under which it +had to be written. In his earlier private letters, Livingstone, in his +single-hearted desire to rouse the world on the subject of Africa, used +to regret that he could not write in such a way as to command general +attention: had he been master of the flowing periods of the _Edinburgh +Review,_ he thought he could have done much more good. In point of fact, +if he had had the pen of Samuel Johnson, or the tongue of Edmund Burke, +he would not have made the impression he did. His simple style and plain +speech were eminently in harmony with his truthful, unexaggerating +nature, and showed that he neither wrote nor spoke for effect, but +simply to utter truth. What made his work of composition irksome was, on +the one hand, the fear that he was not doing it well, and on the other, +the necessity of doing it quickly. He had always a dread that his +English was not up to the critical mark, and yet he was obliged to hurry +on, and leave the English as it dropped from his pen. He had no time to +plan, to shape, to organize; the architectural talent could not be +brought into play. Add to this that he had been so accustomed to +open-air life and physical exercise, that the close air and sedentary +attitude of the study must have been exceedingly irksome; so that it is +hardly less wonderful that his health stood the confinement of +book-making in England, than that it survived the tear and wear, labor +and sorrow, of all his journeys in Africa. + +An extract from a letter to Mr. Maclear, on the eve of his beginning his +book (21st January, 1857), will show how his thoughts were running: + + "I begin to-morrow to write my book, and as I have a large + party of men (110) waiting for me at Tette, and I promised to + join them in April next, you will see I shall have enough to + do to get over my work here before the end of the month.... + Many thanks for all the kind things you said at the Cape Town + meeting. Here they laud me till I shut my eyes, for only + trying to do my duty. They ought to vote thanks to the Boers + who set me free to discover the fine new country. They were + determined to shut the country, and I was determined to open + it. They boasted to the Portuguese that they had expelled two + missionaries, and outwitted themselves rather. I got the gold + medal, as you predicted, and the freedom of the town of + Hamilton, which insures me protection from the payment of + jail fees if put in prison!" + +In writing his book, he sometimes worked in the house of a friend, but +generally in a London or suburban lodging, often with his children about +him, and all their noise; for, as in the Blantyre mill, he could +abstract his attention from sounds of whatever kind, and go on calmly +with his work. Busy though he was, this must have been one of the +happiest times in his life. Some of his children still remember his +walks and romps with them in the Barnet woods, near which they lived +part of the time--how he would suddenly plunge into the ferny thicket, +and set them looking for him, as people looked for him afterward when he +disappeared in Africa, coming out all at once at some unexpected corner +of the thicket. One of his greatest troubles was the penny post. People +used to ask him the most frivolous questions. At first he struggled to +answer them, but in a few weeks he had to give this up in despair. The +simplicity of his heart is seen in the childlike joy with which he +welcomes the early products of the spring. He writes to Mr. Maclear +that, one day at Professor Owen's, they had "seen daisies, primroses, +hawthorns, and robin-redbreasts. Does not Mrs. Maclear envy us? It was +so pleasant." + +But a better idea of his mode of life at home will be conveyed by the +notes of some of the friends with whom he stayed. For that purpose, we +resume the recollections of Dr. Risdon Bennett: + + "On returning to England, after his first great journey of + discovery, he and Mrs. Livingstone stayed in my house for + some time, and I had frequent conversations with him on + subjects connected with his African life, especially on such + as related to natural history and medicine, on which he had + gathered a fund of information. His observation of malarious + diseases, and the methods of treatment adopted by both the + natives and Europeans, had led him to form very definite and + decided views, especially in reference to the use of + purgatives, preliminary to, and in conjunction with, quinine + and other acknowledged febrifuge medicines. He had, while + staying with me, one of those febrile attacks to which + persons who have once suffered from malarious disease are so + liable, and I could not fail to remark his sensible + observations thereon, and his judicious management of his + sickness. He had a great natural predilection for medical + science, and always took great interest in all that related + to the profession. I endeavored to persuade him to commit to + writing the results of his medical observations and + experience among the natives of Africa, but he was too much + occupied with the preparation of his Journal for the press to + enable him to do this. Moreover, as he often said, writing + was a great drudgery to him. He, however, attended with me + the meetings of some of the medical societies, and gave some + verbal accounts of his medical experience which greatly + interested his audience. His remarks on climates, food, and + customs of the natives, in reference to the origin and spread + of disease, evinced the same acuteness of observation which + characterized all the records of his life. He specially + commented on the absence of consumption and all forms of + tubercular disease among the natives, and connected this with + their constant exposure and out-of-door life. + + "After leaving my house he had lodgings in Chelsea, and used + frequently to come and spend the Sunday afternoon with my + family, often bringing his sister, who was staying with him, + and his two elder children. It was beautiful to observe how + thoroughly he enjoyed domestic life and the society of + children, how strong was his attachment to his own family + after his long and frequent separations from them, and how + entirely he had retained his simplicity of character. + + "Like so many of his countrymen, he had a keen sense of + humor, which frequently came into play when relating his many + adventures and hardships. On the latter he never dilated in + the way of complaint, and he had little sympathy with, or + respect for, those travelers who did so. Nor was he apt to + say much on direct religious topics, or on the results of his + missionary efforts as a Christian teacher. He had unbounded + confidence in the influence of Christian character and + principles, and gave many illustrations of the effect + produced on the minds and conduct of the benighted and savage + tribes with whom he was brought into contact by his own + unvarying uprightness of conduct and self-denying labor. The + fatherly character of God, his never-failing goodness and + mercy, and the infinite love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and + efficacy of his atoning sacrifice, appeared to be the topics + on which he loved chiefly to dwell. The all-pervading deadly + evils of slavery, and the atrocities of the slave-trade, + never failed to excite his righteous indignation. If ever he + was betrayed into unmeasured language, it was when referring + to these topics, or when speaking of the injurious influence + exerted on the native mind by the cruel and unprincipled + conduct of wicked and selfish traders. His love for Africa, + and confidence in the steady dawn of brighter days for its + oppressed races, were unbounded." + +From a member of another family, that of Mr. Frederick Fitch, of +Highbury New Park, with whom also the Livingstones spent part of their +time, we have some homely but graphic reminiscences: + + "Dr. Livingstone was very simple and unpretending, and used + to be annoyed when he was made a lion of. Once a well-known + gentleman, who was advertised to deliver a lecture next day, + called on him to pump him for material. The Doctor sat rather + quiet, and, without being rude, treated the gentleman to + monosyllabic answers. He could do that--could keep people at + a distance when they wanted to make capital out of him. When + the stranger had left, turning to my mother, he would say, + 'I'll tell _you_ anything you like to ask.' + + "He never liked to walk in the streets for fear of being + mobbed. Once he was mobbed in Regent street, and did not know + how he was to escape, till he saw a cab, and took refuge in + it. For the same reason it was painful for him to go to + church. Once, being anxious to go with us, my father + persuaded him that, as the seat at the top of our pew was + under the gallery, he would not be seen. As soon as he + entered, he held down his head, and kept it covered with his + hands all the time, but the preacher somehow caught sight of + him, and rather unwisely, in his last prayer, adverted to + him. This gave the people the knowledge that he was in the + chapel, and after the service they came trooping toward him, + even over the pews, in their anxiety to see him and shake + hands[50]. + + [Footnote 50: A similar occurrence took place in a church at + Bath during the meetings of the British Association in 1864] + + "Dr. Livingstone usually conducted our family worship. On + Sunday morning he always gave us a text for the day. His + prayers were very direct and simple, just like a child asking + his Father for what he needed. + + "He was always careful as to dress and appearance. This was + his habit in Africa, too, and with Mrs. Livingstone it was + the same. They thought that this was fitted to secure respect + for themselves, and that it was for the good of the natives + too, as it was so difficult to impress them with proper ideas + on the subject of dress. + + "Dr. and Mrs. Livingstone were much attached, and thoroughly + understood each other. The doctor was sportive and fond of a + joke, and Mrs. Livingstone entered into his humor. Mrs. + Livingstone was terribly anxious about her husband when he + was in Africa, but before others she concealed her emotion. + In society both were reserved and quiet. Neither of them + cared for grandeur; it was a great trial to Dr. Livingstone + to go to a grand dinner. Yet in his quiet way he would + exercise an influence at the dinner-table. He told us that + once at a dinner at Lord ----'s, every one was running down + London tradesmen. Dr. Livingstone quietly remarked that + though he was a stranger in London, he knew one tradesman of + whose honesty he was thoroughly assured; and if there was one + such in his little circle, surely there must be many more. + + "He used to rise early: about seven he had a cup of tea or + coffee, and then he set to work with his Writing. He had not + the appearance of a very strong man." + +In spite of his literary work, the stream of public honors and public +engagements began to flow very strongly. The Prince Consort granted him +an interview, soon after his arrival, in presence of some of the younger +members of the Royal Family. In March it was agreed to present him with +the freedom of the City of London, in a box of the value of fifty +guineas, and in May the presentation took place. Most of his public +honors, however, were reserved till the autumn. + +The _Missionary Travels_ was published in November, 1857, and the +success of the book was quite remarkable. Writing to Mr. Maclear, 10th +November, 1857, he says, after an apology for delay: + + "You must ascribe my culpable silence to 'aberration.' I am + out of my orbit, rather, and you must have patience till I + come in again. The book is out to-day, and I am going to + Captain Washington to see about copies to yourself, the + Governor, the Bishop, Fairbairn, Thompson, Rutherfoord, and + Saul Solomon[51]. Ten thousand were taken by the London trade + alone. Thirteen thousand eight hundred have been ordered from + an edition of twelve thousand, so the printers are again at + work to supply the demand. Sir Roderick gave it a glowing + character last night at the Royal Geographical Society, and + the _Athenæum_ has come out strongly on the same side. This + is considered a successful launch for a guinea book." + +[Footnote 51: Livingstone was quite lavish with presentation copies; +every friend on earth seemed to be included in his list. He tried to +remember every one who had shown kindness to himself and particularly to +his wife and children.] + +It has sometimes been a complaint that so much of the book is occupied +with matters of science, geographical inquiries, descriptions of plants +and animals, accounts of rivers and mountains, and so little with what +directly concerns the work of the missionary. In reply to this, it may +be stated, in the first place, that if the information given and the +views expressed on missionary topics were all put together, they would +constitute no insignificant contribution to missionary literature. But +there was another consideration. Livingstone regarded himself as but a +pioneer in missionary enterprise. During sixteen years he had done much +to bring the knowledge of Christ to tribes that had never heard of +Him--probably no missionary in Africa had ever preached to so many +blacks. In some instances he had been successful in the highest +sense--he had been the instrument of turning men from darkness to light; +but he did not think it right to dwell on these cases, because the +converts were often inconsistent, and did not exemplify a high moral +tone. In most cases, however, he had been a sower of seed, and not a +reaper of harvests. He had no triumphs to record, like those which had +gladdened the hearts of some of his missionary brethren in the South Sea +Islands. He wished his book to be a record of facts, not a mere register +of hopes. The missionary work was yet to be done. It belonged to the +future, not to the past. By showing what vast fields there were in +Africa ripe for the harvest, he sought to stimulate the Christian +enterprise of the Churches, and lead them to take possession of Africa +for Christ. He would diligently record facts which he had ascertained +about Africa, facts that he saw had some bearing on its future welfare, +but whose full significance in that connection no one might yet be able +to perceive. In a sense, the book was a work of faith. He wished to +interest men of science, men of commerce, men of philanthropy, ministers +of the Crown, men of all sorts, in the welfare of Africa. Where he had +so varied a constituency to deal with, and where the precise method by +which Africa would be civilized was yet so indefinite, he would +faithfully record what he had come to know, and let others build as they +might with his materials. Certainly, in all that Livingstone has +written, he has left us in no doubt as to the consummation to which he +ever looked. His whole writings and his whole life are a commentary on +his own words--"The end of the geographical feat is only the beginning +of the enterprise." + +Through the great success of the volume and the handsome conduct of the +publishers, the book yielded him a little fortune. We shall see what +generous use he made of it--how large a portion of the profits went to +forward directly the great object to which his heart and his life were +so cordially given. More than half went to a single object connected +with the Zambesi Expedition, and of the remainder he was ready to devote +a half to another favorite project. All that he thought it his duty to +reserve for his children was enough to educate them, and prepare them +for their part in life. Nothing would have seemed less desirable or less +for their good than to found a rich family to live in idleness. It was +and is a common impression that Livingstone received large sums from +friends to aid him in his work. For the most part these impressions were +unfounded; but his own hard-earned money was bestowed freely and +cheerfully wherever it seemed likely to do good. + +The complaint that he was not sufficiently a missionary was sometimes +made of his speeches as well as his book. At Carlisle, a lady wrote to +him in this strain. A copy of his reply is before us. After explaining +that reporters were more ready to report his geography than his +missionary views, he says: + + "Nowhere have I ever appeared as anything else but a servant + of God, who has simply followed the leadings of his hand. My + views of what is _missionary_ duty are not so contracted as + those whose ideal is a dumpy sort of man with a Bible under + his arm. I have labored in bricks and mortar, at the forge + and carpenter's bench, as well as in preaching and medical + practice. I feel that I am 'not my own.' I am serving Christ + when shooting a buffalo for my men, or taking an astronomical + observation, or writing to one of his children who forget, + during the little moment of penning a note, that charity + which is eulogized as 'thinking no evil'; and after having by + his help got information, which I hope will lead to more + abundant blessing being bestowed on Africa than heretofore, + am I to hide the light under a bushel, merely because some + will consider it not sufficiently, or even at all, + _missionary_? Knowing that some persons do believe that + opening up a new country to the sympathies of Christendom was + not a proper work for an agent of a missionary society to + engage in, I now refrain from taking any salary from the + Society with which I was connected; so no pecuniary loss is + sustained by any one." + +Subsequently, when detained in Manyuema, and when his immediate object +was to determine the water-shed, Dr. Livingstone wrote: "I never felt a +single pang at having left the Missionary Society. I acted for my +Master, and believe that all ought to devote their special faculties to +Him. I regretted that unconscientious men took occasion to prevent many +from sympathizing with me." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +FIRST VISIT HOME--_continued_. + +A.D. 1857-1858. + +Livingstone at Dublin, at British Association--Letter to his wife--He +meets the Chamber of Commerce at Manchester--At Glasgow, receives honors +from Corporation, University, Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, United +Presbyterians, Cotton-spinners--His speeches in reply--His brother +Charles joins him--Interesting meeting and speech at Hamilton--Reception +from "Literary and Scientific Institute of Blantyre"--Sympathy with +operatives--Quick apprehension of all public questions--His social views +in advance of the age--He plans a People's Café--Visit to +Edinburgh--More honors--Letter to Mr. Maclear--Interesting visit to +Cambridge--Lectures there--Professor Sedgwick's remarks on his +visit--Livingstone's great satisfaction--Relations to London Missionary +Society--He severs his connection--Proposal of Government expedition--He +accepts consulship and command of expedition--Kindness of Lords +Palmerston and Clarendon--The Portuguese Ambassador--Livingstone +proposes to go to Portugal--Is dissuaded--Lord Clarendon's letter to +Sekelétu--Results of Livingstone's visit to England--Farewell banquet, +Feb., 1858--Interview with the Queen--Valedictory letters--Professor +Sedgwick and Sir Roderick Murchison--Arrangements for expedition--Dr., +Mrs., and Oswell Livingstone set sail from Liverpool--Letters +to children. + + +Finding himself, in the autumn, free of the toil of book-making, Dr. +Livingstone moved more freely through the country, attended meetings, +and gave addresses. In August he went to Dublin, to the meeting of the +British Association for the Advancement of Science, and gave an +interesting lecture. Mrs. Livingstone did not accompany him. In a letter +to her we have some pleasant notes of his Dublin visit: + + "_Dublin, 29th August_, 1857.--I am very sorry now that I did + not bring you with me, for all inquired after you, and + father's book is better known here than anywhere else I have + been. But it could scarcely have been otherwise. I think the + visit to Dublin will be beneficial to our cause, which, I + think, is the cause of Christ in Africa. Lord Radstock is + much interested in it, and seems willing and anxious to + promote it. He was converted out at the Crimea, whither he + had gone as an amateur. His lady is a beautiful woman, and I + think, what is far better, a good, pious one. The + Archbishop's daughters asked me if they could be of any use + in sending out needles, thread, etc., to your school. I, of + course, said Yes. His daughters are devotedly missionary, and + work hard in ragged schools, etc. One of them nearly remained + in Jerusalem as a missionary, and is the same in spirit here. + It is well to be servants of Christ everywhere, at home or + abroad, wherever He may send us or take us.... I hope I may + be enabled to say a word for Him on Monday. There is to be a + grand dinner and soiree at the Lord-Lieutenant's on Monday, + and I have got an invitation in my pocket, but will have to + meet Admiral Trotter on Tuesday. I go off as soon as my + lecture is over.... Sir Duncan Macgregor is the author of + _The Burning of the Kent East Indiaman_. His son, the only + infant saved, is now a devoted Christian, a barrister[52]." + +[Footnote 52: Dr. Livingstone always liked that style of earnest +Christianity which he notices in this letter. In November of the same +year, after he had resigned his connection with the London Missionary +Society, and was preparing to return to Africa as H.M. Consul and head +of the Zambesi Expedition, he writes thus to his friend Mr. James Young: +"I read the life of Hedley Vicars for the first time through, when down +at Rugby. It is really excellent, and makes me ashamed of the coldness +of my services in comparison. That was his sister you saw me walking +with in Dublin at the Gardens (Lady Rayleigh). If you have not read it, +the sooner you dip into it the better. You will thank me for it."] + +In September we find him in Manchester, where the Chamber of Commerce +gave him a hearty welcome, and entered cordially into his schemes for +the commercial development of Africa. He was subjected to a close +cross-examination regarding the products of the country, and the +materials it contained for commerce; but here, too, the missionary was +equal to the occasion. He had brought home five or six and twenty +different kinds of fruit; he told them of oils they had never heard +of--dyes that were kept secret by the natives--fibres that might be used +for the manufacture of paper--sheep that had hair instead of +wool--honey, sugar-cane, wheat, millet, cotton, and iron, all abounding +in the country. That all these should abound in what used to be deemed a +sandy desert appeared very strange. A very cordial resolution was +unanimously agreed to, and a strong desire expressed that Her Majesty's +Government would unite with that of Portugal in giving Dr. Livingstone +facilities for further exploration in the interior of Africa, and +especially in the district around the river Zambesi and its tributaries, +which promised to be the most suitable as a basis both for commercial +and missionary settlements. + +In the course of the same month his foot was again on his native soil, +and there his reception was remarkably cordial. In Glasgow, the +University, the Corporation, the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, the +United Presbyterians, and the Associated Operative Cotton-spinners of +Scotland came forward to pay him honor. A testimonial of £2000 had been +raised by public subscription. The Corporation presented him with the +freedom of the city in a gold box, in acknowledging which he naturally +dwelt on some of the topics that were interesting to a commercial +community. He gave a somewhat new view of "Protection" when he called it +a remnant of heathenism. The heathen would be dependent on no one; they +would depress all other communities. Christianity taught us to be +friends and brothers, and he was glad that all restrictions on the +freedom of trade were now done away with. He dwelt largely on the +capacity of Africa to furnish us with useful articles of trade, and +especially cotton. + +His reception by the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons had a special +interest in relation to his medical labors. For nearly twenty years he +had been a licentiate of this Faculty, one of the oldest medical +institutions of the country, which for two centuries and a half had +exerted a great influence in the west of Scotland. He was now admitted +an honorary Fellow--an honor rarely conferred, and only on pre-eminently +distinguished men. The President referred to the benefit which he had +found from his scientific as well as his more strictly medical studies, +pursued under their auspices, and Livingstone cordially echoed the +remark, saying he often hoped that his sons might follow the same course +of study and devote themselves to the same noble profession: + + "In the country to which I went," he continued, "I endeavored + to follow the footsteps of my Lord and Master." Our Saviour + was a physician; but it is not to be expected that his + followers should perform miracles. The nearest approach which + they could expect to make was to become acquainted with + medical science, and endeavor to heal the diseases of man.... + One patient expressed his opinion of my religion to the + following effect: "We like you very much; you are the only + white man we have got acquainted with. We like you because + you aid us whilst we are sick, but we don't like your + everlasting preaching and praying. We can't get accustomed to + that!" + +To the United Presbyterians of Glasgow he spoke of mission work in +Africa. At one time he had been somewhat disappointed with the Bechuana +Christians, and thought the results of the mission had been exaggerated, +but when he went into the interior and saw heathenism in all its +unmitigated ferocity, he changed his opinion, and had a higher opinion +than ever of what the mission had done. Such gatherings as the present +were very encouraging; but in Africa mission work was hard work without +excitement; and they had just to resolve to do their duty without +expecting to receive gratitude from those whom they labored to serve. +When gratitude came, they were thankful to have it; but when it did not +come they must go on doing their duty, as unto the Lord. + +His reply to the cotton-spinners is interesting as showing how fresh his +sympathy still was with the sons of toil, and what respect he had for +their position. He congratulated himself on the Spartan training he had +got at the Blantyre mill, which had really been the foundation of all +the work he had done. Poverty and hard work were often looked down +on,--he did not know why,--for wickedness was the only thing that ought +to be a reproach to any man. Those that looked down on cotton-spinners +with contempt were men who, had they been cotton-spinners at the +beginning, would have been cotton-spinners to the end. The life of toil +was what belonged to the great majority of the race, and to be poor was +no reproach. The Saviour occupied the humble position that they had been +born in, and he looked back on his own past life as having been spent in +the same position in which the Saviour lived. + + "My great object," he said, "was to be like Him--to imitate + Him as far as He could be imitated. We have not the power of + working miracles, but we can do a little in the way of + healing the sick, and I sought a medical education in order + that I might be like Him. In Africa I have had hard work. I + don't know that any one in Africa despises a man who works + hard. I find that all eminent men work hard. Eminent + geologists, mineralogists, men of science in every + department, if they attain eminence, work hard, and that both + early and late. That is just what we did. Some of us have + left the cotton-spinning, but I think that all of us who have + been engaged in that occupation look back on it with feelings + of complacency, and feel an interest in the course of our + companions. There is one thing in cotton-spinning that I + always felt to be a privilege. We were confined through the + whole day, but when we got out to the green fields, and could + wander through the shady woods, and rove about the whole + country, we enjoyed it immensely. We were delighted to see + the flowers and the beautiful scenery. We were prepared to + admire. We were taught by our confinement to rejoice in the + beauties of nature, and when we got out we enjoyed ourselves + to the fullest extent." + +At Hamilton an interesting meeting took place in the Congregational +Chapel where he had been a worshiper in his youth. Here he was +emphatically at home; and he took the opportunity (as he often did) to +say how little he liked the lionizing he was undergoing, and how +unexpected all the honors were that had been showered upon him. He had +hoped to spend a short and quiet visit, and then return to his African +work. It was his sense of the kindness shown him, and the desire not to +be disobliging, that made him accept the public invitations he was +receiving. But he did not wish to take the honor to himself, as if he +had achieved anything by his own might or wisdom. He thanked God +sincerely for employing him as an instrument in his work. One of the +greatest honors was to be employed in winning souls to Christ, and +proclaiming to the captives of Satan the liberty with which he had come +to make them free. He was thankful that to him, "the least of all +saints," this honor had been given. He then proceeded to notice the +presence of members of various Churches, and to advert to the broadening +process that had been going on in his own mind while in Africa, which +made him feel himself more than ever the brother of all: + + "In going about we learn something, and it would be a shame + to us if we did not; and we look back to our own country and + view it as a whole, and many of the little feelings we had + when immersed in our own denominations we lose, and we look + to the whole body of Christians with affection. We rejoice to + see them advancing. I believe that every Scotch Christian + abroad rejoiced in his heart when he saw the Free Church come + boldly out on principle, and I may say we shall rejoice very + much when we see the Free Church and the United Presbyterian + Church one, as they ought to be.... I am sure I look on all + the different denominations in Hamilton and in Britain with + feelings of affection. I cannot say which I love most. I am + quite certain I ought not to dislike any of them. Really, + perhaps I may be considered a little heterodox, if I were + living in this part of the country, I could not pass one + Evangelical Church in order to go to my own denomination + beyond it[53]. I still think that the different + denominational peculiarities have, to a certain degree, a + good effect in this country, but I think we ought to be much + more careful lest we should appear to our fellow-Christians + unchristian, than to appear inconsistent with the + denominational principles we profess.... Let this meeting be + the ratification of the bond of union between my brother[54] + and me, and all the denominations of Hamilton. Remember us in + your prayers. Bear us on your spirits when we are far away, + for when abroad we often feel as if we were forgot by every + one. My entreaty to all the Christians of Hamilton is to pray + that grace may be given to us to be faithful to our Saviour + even unto death." + +[Footnote 53: Dr. Livingstone gave practical evidence of his sincerity +in these remarks in the case of his elder daughter, saying, in reply to +one of her guardians with whom she was residing, that he had no +objections to her joining the Church of Scotland. This, however, she did +not do; but afterward, when at Newstead Abbey, she was confirmed by the +Bishop of Lincoln, and received the Communion along with her father, who +helped to prepare her.] + +[Footnote 54: Dr. Livingstone had been joined by his brother Charles, +who was present on this occasion.] + +At Blantyre, his native village, the Literary and Scientific Institute +gave him a reception, Mr. Hannan, one of the proprietors of the works, a +magistrate of Glasgow, and an old acquaintance of Livingstone's, being +in the chair. The Doctor was laboring under a cold, the first he had had +for sixteen years. He talked to them of his travels, and by particular +request gave an account of his encounter with the Mabotsa lion. He +ridiculed Mrs. Beecher Stowe's notion that factory-workers were slaves. +He counseled them strongly to put more confidence than workmen generally +did in the honest good intentions of their employers, reminding them +that some time ago, when the Blantyre proprietors had wished to let +every workman have a garden, it was said by some that they only wished +to bring the ground into good order, and then they would take the garden +away. That was nasty and suspicious. If masters were more trusted, they +would do more good. Finally, he exhorted them cordially to accept God's +offers of mercy to them in Christ, and give themselves wholly to Him. To +bow down before God was not mean; it was manly. His one wish for them +all was that they might have peace with God, and rejoice in the hope of +the eternal inheritance. + +His remarks to the operatives show how sound and sagacious his views +were on social problems; in this sphere, indeed, he was in advance of +the age. The quickness and correctness with which he took up matters of +public interest in Britain, mastered facts, and came to clear, +intelligent conclusions on them, was often the astonishment of his +friends. It was as if, instead of being buried in Africa, he had been +attending the club and reading the daily newspapers for years,--this, +too, while he was at work writing his book, and delivering speeches +almost without end. We find him at this time anticipating the temperance +coffee-house movement, now so popular and successful. On 11th July, +1857, he wrote on this subject to a friend, in reference to a proposal +to deliver a lecture in Glasgow. It should be noticed that he never +lectured for money, though he might have done so with great +pecuniary benefit: + + "I am thinking of giving, or trying to give, a lecture by + invitation at the Athenæum. I am offered thirty guineas, and + as my old friends the cotton-spinners have invited me to meet + them, I think of handing the sum, whatever it may be, to + them, or rather letting them take it and fit up a room as a + coffee-room on the plan of the French cafés, where men, + women, and children may go, instead of to whisky-shops. There + are coffee-houses already, but I don't think there are any + where they can laugh and talk and read papers just as they + please. The sort I contemplate would suit poor young fellows + who cannot have a comfortable fire at home. I have seen men + dragged into drinking ways from having no comfort at home, + and women also drawn to the dram-shop from the same cause. + Don't you think something could be done by setting the + persons I mention to do something for themselves?" + +Edinburgh conferred on Livingstone the freedom of the city, besides +entertaining him at a public breakfast and hearing him at another +meeting. We are not surprised to find him writing to Sir Roderick +Murchison from Rossie Priory, on the 27th September, that he was about +to proceed to Leeds, Liverpool, and Birmingham, "and then farewell to +public spouting for ever. I am dead tired of it. The third meeting at +Edinburgh quite knocked me up." It was generally believed that his +appearances at Edinburgh were not equal to some others; and probably +there was truth in the impression, for he must have come to it +exhausted; and besides, at a public breakfast, he was put out by a +proposal of the chairman, that they should try to get him a pension. Yet +some who heard him in Edinburgh received impressions that were never +effaced, and it is probable that seed was silently sown which led +afterward to the Scotch Livingstonia Mission--one of the most hopeful +schemes for carrying out Livingstone's plans that have yet been +organized. + +Among the other honors conferred on him during this visit to Britain was +the degree of D.C.L. from the University of Oxford. Some time before, +Glasgow had given him the honorary degree of LL.D. In the beginning of +1858, when he was proposed as a Fellow of the Royal Society, the +certificate on his behalf was signed, among others, by the Earl of +Carlisle, then Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, who after his signature added +P.R. (_pro Regina_), a thing that had never been done before[55]. + +[Footnote 55: For list of Dr. Livingstone's honors, see Appendix No. V.] + +The life he was now leading was rather trying. He writes to his friend +Mr. Maclear on the 10th November: + + "I finish my public spouting next week at Oxford. It is + really very time-killing, this lionizing, and I am sure you + pity me in it. I hope to leave in January. Wonder if the + Portuguese have fulfilled the intention of their Government + in supporting my men.... I shall rejoice when I see you again + in the quiet of the Observatory. It is more satisfactory to + serve God in peace. May He give his grace and blessing to us + all! I am rather anxious to say something that will benefit + the young men at Oxford. They made me a D.C.L. There!! Wonder + if they would do so to the Editor of the _Grahamstown + Journal?_" + +Livingstone was not yet done with "public spouting," even after his trip +to Oxford. Among the visits paid by him toward the end of 1857, none was +more interesting or led to more important results than that to +Cambridge. It was on 3d December he arrived there, becoming the guest of +the Rev. Wm. Monk, of St. John's. Next morning, in the senate-house, he +addressed a very large audience, consisting of graduates and +undergraduates and many visitors from the town and neighborhood. The +Vice-Chancellor presided and introduced the stranger. Dr. Livingstone's +lecture consisted of facts relating to the country and its people, +their habits and religious belief, with some notices of his travels, and +an emphatic statement of his great object--to promote commerce and +Christianity in the country which he had opened. The last part of his +lecture was an earnest appeal for missionaries. + + "It is deplorable to think that one of the noblest of our + missionary societies, the Church Missionary Society, is + compelled to send to Germany for missionaries, whilst other + Societies are amply supplied. Let this stain be wiped off. + The sort of men who are wanted for missionaries are such as I + see before me; men of education, standing, enterprise, zeal, + and piety.... I hope that many whom I now address will + embrace that honorable career. Education has been given us + from above for the purpose of bringing to the benighted the + knowledge of a Saviour. If you knew the satisfaction of + performing such a duty, as well as the gratitude to God which + the missionary must always feel, in being chosen for so + noble, so sacred a calling, you would have no hesitation in + embracing it. + + "For my own part, I have never ceased to rejoice that God has + appointed me to such an office. People talk of the sacrifice + I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can + that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a + small part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can + never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest + reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing + good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny + hereafter? Away with the word in such a view, and with such a + thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a + privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and + then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and + charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the + spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this only be + for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the + glory which shall hereafter be revealed in and for us. I + never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk when we + remember the great sacrifice which He made who left his + father's throne on high to give himself for us; 'who being + the brightness of that Father's glory, and the express image + of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his + power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on + the right hand of the Majesty on high.'... + + "I beg to direct your attention to Africa: I know that in a + few years I shall be cut off in that country, which is now + open; do not let it be shut again! I go back to Africa to try + to make an open path for commerce and Christianity; do you + carry out the work which I have begun, I LEAVE IT WITH YOU!" + +In a prefatory letter prefixed to the volume entitled _Dr. Livingstone's +Cambridge Lectures_, the late Professor Sedgwick remarked, in connection +with this event, that in the course of a long academic life he had often +been present in the senate-house on exciting occasions; in the days of +Napoleon he had heard the greetings given to our great military heroes; +he had been present at four installation services, the last of which was +graced by the presence of the Queen, when her youthful husband was +installed as Chancellor, amid the most fervent gratulations that +subjects are permitted to exhibit in the presence of their Sovereign. +But on none of these occasions "were the gratulations of the University +more honest and true-hearted than those which were offered to Dr. +Livingstone. He came among us without any long notes of preparation, +without any pageant or eloquence to charm and captivate our senses. He +stood before us, a plain, single-minded man, somewhat attenuated by +years of toil, and with a face tinged by the sun of Africa.... While we +listened to the tale he had to tell, there arose in the hearts of all +the listeners a fervent hope that the hand of God which had so long +upheld him would uphold him still, and help him to carry out the great +work of Christian love that was still before him." + +Next day, December 5th, Dr. Livingstone addressed a very crowded +audience in the Town Hall, the Mayor presiding. Referring to his own +plans, he said: + + "I contend that we ought not to be ashamed of our religion, + and had we not kept this so much out of sight in India, we + should not now be in such straits in that country" [referring + to the Indian Mutiny]. "Let us appear just what we are. For + my own part, I intend to go out as a missionary, and hope + boldly, but with civility, to state the truth of + Christianity, and my belief that those who do not possess it + are in error. My object in Africa is not only the elevation + of man, but that the country might be so opened that man + might see the need of his soul's salvation. I propose in my + next expedition to visit the Zambesi, and propitiate the + different chiefs along its banks, endeavoring to induce them + to cultivate cotton, and to abolish the slave-trade: already + they trade in ivory and gold-dust, and are anxious to extend + their commercial operations. There is thus a probability of + their interests being linked with ours, and thus the + elevation of the African would be the result, + + "I believe England is alive to her duty of civilizing and + Christianizing the heathen. We cannot all go out as + missionaries, it is true; but we may all do something toward + providing a substitute. Moreover, all may especially do that + which every missionary highly prizes, viz.--COMMEND THE WORK + IN THEIR PRAYERS. I HOPE THAT THOSE WHOM I NOW ADDRESS WILL + BOTH PRAY FOR AND HELP THOSE WHO ARE THEIR SUBSTITUTES." + +Dr. Livingstone was thoroughly delighted with his reception at +Cambridge. Writing to a friend, on 6th December 1857, he says: +"Cambridge, as Playfair would say, was grand. It beat Oxford hollow. To +make up my library again they subscribed at least forty volumes at once. +I shall have reason soon to bless the Boers." + +Referring to his Cambridge visit a few weeks afterward, in a letter to +Rev. W. Monk, Dr. Livingstone said: "I look back to my visit to +Cambridge as one of the most pleasant episodes of my life. I shall +always revert with feelings of delight to the short intercourse I +enjoyed with such noble Christian men as Sedgwick, Whewell, Selwyn, etc. +etc., as not the least important privilege conferred on me by my visit +to England. It is something inspiriting to remember that the eyes of +such men are upon one's course. May blessings rest upon them all, and on +the seat of learning which they adorn!" + +Among the subjects that had occupied Dr. Livingstone's attention most +intensely during the early part of the year 1857 was that of his +relation to the London Missionary Society. The impression caused by Dr. +Tidman's letter received at Quilimane had been quite removed by personal +intercourse with the Directors, who would have been delighted to let +Livingstone work in their service in his own way. But with the very +peculiar work of exploration and inquiry which he felt that his Master +had now placed in his hands, Dr. Livingstone was afraid that his freedom +would be restricted by his continuing in the service of the Society, +while the Society itself would be liable to suffer from the handle that +might be given to contributors to say that it was departing from the +proper objects of a missionary body. That in resigning his official +connection he acted with a full knowledge of the effect which this might +have upon his own character, and his reputation before the Church and +the world, is evident from his correspondence with one of his most +intimate friends and trusted counselors, Mr. J.B. Braithwaite, of +Lincoln's Inn. Though himself a member of the Society of Friends, Mr. +Braithwaite was desirous that Dr. Livingstone should continue to appear +before the public as a Christian minister: + + "To dissolve thy connection with the Missionary Society would + at once place thee before the public in an aspect wholly + distinct from that in which thou art at present, and, what is + yet more important, would in a greater or less degree, and, + perhaps, very gradually and almost insensibly to thyself, + turn the current of thy own thoughts and feelings away from + those channels of usefulness and service, as a minister of + the gospel, with which I cannot doubt thy deepest interest + and highest aspirations are inseparably associated." + +On Dr. Livingstone explaining that, while he fully appreciated these +views, it did not appear to him consistent with duty to be receiving the +pay of a working missionary while engaged to a considerable extent in +scientific exploration, Mr. Braithwaite expressed anew his sympathy for +his feelings, and respect for his decision, but not as one quite +convinced: + + "Thy heart is bound, as I truly believe, in its inmost depths + to the service of Christ. This is the 'one thing' which, + through all, it is thy desire to keep in view. And my fear + has been lest the severing of thy connection with a + recognized religious body should lead any to suppose that thy + Christian interests were in the least weakened; or that thou + wast now going forth with any lower aim than the advancement + of the Redeemer's kingdom. Such a circumstance would be + deeply to be regretted, for thy character is now, if I may so + speak, not thy own, but the common property, in a certain + sense, of British Christianity, and anything which tended to + lower thy high standing would cast a reflection on the + general cause." + +The result showed that Mr. Braithwaite was right as to the impression +likely to be made on the public; but the contents of this volume amply +prove that the impression was wrong. + +Dr. Livingstone had said at Quilimane that if it were the will of God +that he should do the work of exploration and settlement of stations +which was indispensable to the opening up of Africa, but which the +Directors did not then seem to wish him to undertake, the means would be +provided from some other quarter. At the meeting of the British +Association in Dublin, a movement was begun for getting the Government +to aid him. The proposal was entertained favorably by the Government, +and practically settled before the end of the year. In February, 1858, +Dr. Livingstone received a formal commission, signed by Lord Clarendon, +Foreign Secretary, appointing him Her Majesty's Consul at Quilimane for +the Eastern Coast and the independent districts in the interior, and +commander of an expedition for exploring Eastern and Central Africa. Dr. +Livingstone accepted the appointment, and during the last part of his +stay in England was much engaged in arranging for the expedition. A +paddle steamer of light draught was procured for the navigation of the +Zambesi, and the various members of the expedition received their +appointments. These were--Commander Bedingfield, R.N., Naval Officer; +John Kirk, M.D., Botanist and Physician; Mr. Charles Livingstone, +brother of Dr. Livingstone, General Assistant and Secretary; Mr. Richard +Thornton, Practical Mining Geologist; Mr. Thomas Baines, Artist and +Storekeeper; and Mr. George Rae, Ship Engineer; and whoever afterward +might join the expedition were required to obey Dr. Livingstone's +directions as leader. + +"We managed your affair very nicely," Lord Palmerston said to +Livingstone at a reception at Lady Palmerston's on the 12th December. +"Had we waited till the usual time when Parliament should be asked, it +would have been too late." Lord Shaftesbury, at the reception, assured +him that the country would do everything for him, and congratulated him +on going out in the way now settled. So did the Lord Chancellor +(Cranworth), Sir Culling Eardley, and Mr. Calcraft, M.P. + +Dr. Livingstone was on the most friendly terms with the Portuguese +Ambassador, the Count de Lavradio, who ever avowed the highest respect +for himself, and a strong desire to help him in his work. To get this +assurance turned into substantial assistance appeared to Livingstone to +be of the very highest importance. Unless strong influence were brought +to bear on the local Portuguese Governors in Africa, his scheme would be +wrecked. The Portuguese Ambassador was then at Lisbon, and Livingstone +had resolved to go there, to secure the influence from headquarters +which was so necessary. The Prince Consort had promised to introduce him +to his cousin, the King of Portugal. There were, however, some obstacles +to his going. Yellow fever was raging at Lisbon, and moreover, time was +precious, and a little delay might lead to the loss of a season on the +Zambesi. At Lady Palmerston's reception, Lord Palmerston had said to him +that Lord Clarendon might manage the Portuguese affair without his going +to Lisbon. A day or two after, Livingstone saw Lord Clarendon, who +confirmed Lord Palmerston's opinion, and assured him that when Lavradio +returned, the affair would be settled. The Lisbon journey was +accordingly given up. The Count returned to London before Livingstone +left, and expressed a wish to send a number of Portuguese agents along +with him. But to this both Lord Clarendon and he had the strongest +objections, as complicating the expedition. Livingstone was furnished +with letters from the Portuguese Government to the local Governors, +instructing them to give him all needful help. But when he returned to +the Zambesi he found that these public instructions were strangely +neutralized and reversed by some unseen process. He himself believed to +the last in the honest purpose of the King of Portugal, but he had not +the same confidence in the Government. From some of the notes written to +him at this time by friends who understood more of diplomacy than he +did, we can see that little actual help was expected from the local +Governors in the Portuguese settlements, one of these friends expressing +the conviction that "the sooner those Portuguese dogs-in-the-manger are +eaten, up, body and bones, by the Zulu Caffres, the better." + +The co-operation of Lord Clarendon was very cordial. "He told me to go +to Washington (of the Admiralty) as if all had been arranged, and do +everything necessary, and come to him for everything I needed. He +repeated, 'Just come here and tell me what you want, and I will give it +you.' He was wonderfully kind. I thank God who gives the influence." +Among other things, Lord Clarendon wrote an official letter to the chief +Sekelétu, thanking him, in the name of the Queen, for his kindness and +help to her servant, Dr. Livingstone, explaining the desire of the +British nation, as a commercial and Christian people, to live at peace +with all and to benefit all; telling him, too, what they thought of the +slave-trade; hoping that Sekelétu would help to keep "God's highway," +the river Zambesi, as a free pathway for all nations; assuring him of +friendship and good-will; and respectfully hinting that, "as we have +derived all our greatness from the divine religion we received from +heaven, it will be well if you consider it carefully when any of our +people talk to you about it[56]." + +[Footnote 56: See Appendix No. IV.] + +Most men, after receiving such _carte blanche_ as Lord Clarendon had +given to Livingstone, would have been drawing out plans on a large +scale, regardless of expense. Livingstone's ideas were quite in the +opposite direction. Instead of having to press Captain Washington, he +had to restrain him. The expedition as planned by Washington, with +commander and assistant, and a large staff of officers, was too +expensive. All that Livingstone wished was a steam launch, with an +economic botanist, a practical mining geologist, and an assistant. All +was to be plain and practical; nothing was wished for ornament or show. + +Before we come to the last adieus, it is well to glance at the +remarkable effect of Dr. Livingstone's short visit, in connection with +his previous labors, on the public opinion of the country in regard to +Africa. In the first place, as we have already remarked, there was quite +a revolution of ideas as to the interior of the country. It astonished +men to find that, instead of a vast sandy desert, it was so rich and +productive a land, and merchants came to see that if only a safe and +wholesome traffic could be introduced, the result would be hardly less +beneficial to them than to the people of Africa. In the second place, a +new idea was given of the African people. Caffre wars and other +mismanaged enterprises had brought out the wildest aspects of the native +character, and had led to the impression that the blacks were just as +brutish and ferocious as the tigers and crocodiles among which they +lived. But Livingstone showed, as Moffat had showed before him, that, +rightly dealt with, they were teachable and companionable, full of +respect for the white man, affectionate toward him when he treated them +well, and eager to have him dwelling among them. On the slave-trade of +the interior he had thrown a ghastly light, although it was reserved to +him in his future journeys to make a full exposure of the devil's work +in that infamous traffic. He had thrown light, too, on the structure of +Africa, shown where healthy localities were to be found, copiously +illustrated its fauna and flora, discovered great rivers and lakes, and +laid them down on its map with the greatest accuracy; and he had shown +how its most virulent disease might be reduced to the category of an +ordinary cold. In conjunction with other great African travelers, he had +contributed not a little to the great increase of popularity which had +been acquired by the Geographical Society. He had shown abundance of +openings for Christian missions from Kuruman to the Zambesi, and from +Loanda to Quilimane. He had excited no little compassion for the negro, +by vivid pictures of his dark and repulsive life, with so much misery in +it and so little joy. In the cause of missions he did not appeal in +vain. At the English Universities, young men of ability and promise got +new light on the purposes of life, and wondered that they had not +thought sooner of offering themselves for such noble work. In Scotland, +men like James Stewart, now of Lovedale, were set thinking whether they +should not give themselves to Africa, and older men, like Mr. R.A. +Macfie and the late Mr. James Cunningham, of Edinburgh, were pondering +in what manner the work could be begun. The London Missionary Society, +catching up Livingstone's watchword "Onward," were planning a mission at +Linyanti, on the banks of the Zambesi. Mr. Moffat was about to pay a +visit to the great Mosilikatse, with a view to the commencement of a +mission to the Matebele. As for Livingstone himself, his heart was +yearning after his friends the Makololo. He had been quite willing to go +and be their missionary, but in the meantime other duty called him. Not +being aware of any purpose to plant a mission among them, he made an +arrangement with his brother-in-law, Mr. John Moffat, to become their +missionary. Out of his private resources he promised him £500, for +outfit, etc., and £150 a year for five years as salary, besides other +sums, amounting in all to £1400. Nearly three years of his own salary as +Consul (£500) were thus pledged and paid. In one word, Africa, which had +long been a symbol of all that is dry and uninviting, suddenly became +the most interesting part of the globe. + +As the time of Dr. Livingstone's departure for Africa drew near, a +strong desire arose among many of his friends, chiefly the geographers, +to take leave of him in a way that should emphatically mark the strength +of their admiration and the cordiality of their good wishes. It was +accordingly resolved that he should be invited to a public dinner on the +13th February, 1858, and that Sir Roderick Murchison should occupy the +chair. On the morning of that day he had the honor of an interview with +Her Majesty the Queen. A Scottish correspondent of an American journal, +whose letter at other points shows that he had good information[57], +after referring to the fact that Livingstone was not presented in the +usual way, says: + +[Footnote 57: We have ascertained that the correspondent was the late +Mr. Keddie, of the Glasgow Free Church College, who got his information +from Mr. James Young.] + + "He was honored by the Queen with a private interview.... She + sent for Livingstone, who attended Her Majesty at the palace, + without ceremony, in his black coat and blue trousers, and + his cap surrounded with a stripe of gold lace. This was his + usual attire, and the cap had now become the appropriate + distinction of one of Her Majesty's consuls, an official + position to which the traveler attaches great importance, as + giving him consequence in the eyes of the natives, and + authority over the members of the expedition.. The Queen + conversed with him affably for half an hour on the subject of + his travels. Dr. Livingstone told Her Majesty that he would + now be able to say to the natives that he had seen his chief, + his not having done so before having been a constant subject + of surprise to the children of the African wilderness. He + mentioned to Her Majesty also that the people were in the + habit of inquiring whether his chief were wealthy; and that + when he assured them she was very wealthy, they would ask how + many cows she had got, a question at which the Queen laughed + heartily." + +In the only notice of this interview which we have found in +Livingstone's own writing, he simply says that Her Majesty assured him +of her good wishes in his journeys. It was the only interview with his +Sovereign he ever had. When he returned in 1864 he said that he would +have been pleased to have another, but only if it came naturally, and +without his seeking it. The Queen manifested the greatest interest in +him, and showed great kindness to his family, when the rumor came of +his death. + +The banquet in Freemason's Tavern, which it had been intended to limit +to 250 guests, overflowed the allotted bounds, and was attended by +upward of 350, including the Ministers of Sweden and Norway, and of +Denmark; Dukes of Argyll and Wellington; Earl of Shaftesbury and Earl +Grey; Bishops of Oxford and St. David's; and hosts of other celebrities +in almost every department of public life. The feeling was singularly +cordial. Sir Roderick rehearsed the services of Livingstone, crowning +them, as was his wont, with that memorable act--his keeping his promise +to his black servants by returning with them from Loanda to the heart of +Africa, in spite of all the perils of the way, and all the attractions +of England, thereby "leaving for himself in that country a glorious +name, and proving to the people of Africa what an English Christian is." +Still more, perhaps, did Sir Roderick touch the heart of the audience +when he said of Livingstone "that notwithstanding eighteen months of +laudation, so justly bestowed on him by all classes of his countrymen, +and after receiving all the honors which the Universities and cities of +our country could shower upon him, he is still the same honest, +true-hearted David Livingstone as when he issued from the wilds of +Africa." It was natural for the Duke of Argyll to recall the fact that +Livingstone's family was an Argyllshire one, and it was a happy thought +that as Ulva was close to Iona--"that illustrious island," as Dr. Samuel +Johnson called it, "whence roving tribes and rude barbarians derived the +benefits of knowledge and the blessings of religion,"--so might the son +of Ulva carry the same blessings to Africa, and be remembered, perhaps, +by millions of the human race as the first pioneer of civilization, and +the first harbinger of the gospel. It was graceful in the Bishop of +Oxford (Samuel Wilberforce) to advert to the debt of unparalleled +magnitude which England, founder of the accursed slave-trade, owed to +Africa, and to urge the immediate prosecution of Livingstone's plans, +inasmuch as the spots in Africa, where the so-called Christian trader +had come, were marked, more than any other, by crime and distrust, and +insecurity of life and property. It was a good opportunity for Professor +Owen to tell the story of the spiral tusk, to rehearse some remarkable +instances of Livingstone's accurate observations and happy conjectures +on the habits of animals, to rate him for destroying the moral character +of the lion, and to claim credit for having discovered, in the bone +caves of England, the remains of an animal of greater bulk than any +living species, that may have possessed all the qualities which the most +ardent admirer of the British lion could desire[58]! + +[Footnote 58: Livingstone purposed to bequeath to Professor Owen a +somewhat extraordinary legacy. Writing afterward to his friend Mr. +Young, he said: "If I die at home I would lie beside you. My left arm +goes to Professor Owen, mind. That is the will of David Livingstone."] + +On no topic was the applause of the company more enthusiastic than when +mention was made of Mrs. Livingstone, who was then preparing to +accompany her husband on his journey. Livingstone's own words to the +company were simple and hearty, but they were the words of truth and +soberness. He was overwhelmed with the kindness he had experienced. He +did not expect any speedy result from the Expedition, but he was +sanguine as to its ultimate benefit. He thought they would get in the +thin end of the wedge, and that it would be driven home by English +energy and spirit. For himself, with all eyes resting upon him, he felt +under an obligation to do better than he had ever done. And as to Mrs. +Livingstone: + + "It is scarcely fair to ask a man to praise his own wife, but + I can only say that when I parted from her at the Cape, + telling her that I should return in two years, and when it + happened that I was absent four years and a half, I supposed + that I should appear before her with a damaged character. I + was, however, forgiven. My wife, who has always been the main + spoke in my wheel, will accompany me in this expedition, and + will be most useful to me. She is familiar with the languages + of South Africa. She is able to work. She is willing to + endure, and she well knows that in that country one must put + one's hand to everything. In the country to which I am about + to proceed she knows that at the missionary's station the + wife must be the maid-of-all-work within, while the husband + must be the jack-of-all-trades without, and glad am I indeed + that I am to be accompanied by my guardian angel." + +Of the many letters of adieu he received before setting out we have +space for only two. The first came from the venerable Professor +Sedgwick, of Cambridge, in the form of an apology for inability to +attend the farewell banquet. It is a beautiful unfolding of the head and +heart of the Christian philosopher, and must have been singularly +welcome to Livingstone, whose views on some of the greatest subjects of +thought were in thorough harmony with those of his friend: + + "_Cambridge, February_ 10, 1858.--MY DEAR SIR,--Your kind and + very welcome letter came to me yesterday; and I take the + first moment of leisure to thank you for it, and to send you + a few more words of good-will, along with my prayers that God + may, for many years, prolong your life and the lives of those + who are most near and dear to you, and that he may support + you in all coming trials, and crown with a success, far + transcending your own hopes, your endeavors for the good of + our poor humble fellow-creatures in Africa, + + "There is but one God, the God who created all worlds and the + natural laws whereby they are governed; and the God of + revealed truth, who tells us of our destinies in an eternal + world to come. All truth of whatever kind has therefore its + creator in the will and essence of that great God who created + all things, moral and natural. Great and good men have long + upheld this grand conclusion. But, alas! such is too often + our bigotry, or ignorance, or selfishness, that we try to + divorce religious and moral from natural truth, as if they + were inconsistent and in positive antagonism one to the + other,--a true catholic spirit (oh that the word 'catholic' + had not been so horribly abused by the foul deeds of men!) + teaching us that all truths are linked together, and that all + art and science, and all material discoveries (each held in + its proper place and subordination), may be used to minister + to the diffusion of Christian truth among men, with all its + blessed fruits of peace and good-will. This is, I believe, + your faith, as I see it shining out in your deeds, and set + forth in the pages of your work on Southern Africa, which I + have studied through from beginning to end with sentiments of + reverence and honor for the past and good hopes for + the future. + + "What a glorious prospect is before you! the commencement of + the civilization of Africa, the extension of our knowledge of + all the kingdoms of nature, the production of great material + benefits to the Old World, the gradual healing of that foul + and fetid ulcer, the slave-trade, the one grand disgrace and + weakness of Christendom, and that has defiled the hands of + all those who have had any dealings with it; and last, but + not least--nay, the greatest of all, and the true end of + all--the lifting up of the poor African from the earth, the + turning his face heavenward, and the glory of at length + (after all his sufferings and all our sins) calling him a + Christian brother. May our Lord and Saviour bless your + labors, and may his Holy Spirit be with you to the end of + your life upon this troubled world! + + "I am an old man, and I shall (so far as I am permitted to + look at the future) never see your face again. If I live till + the 22d of March I shall have ended my 73d year, and not only + from what we all know from the ordinary course of nature, but + from what I myself know and feel from the experience of the + two past years, I am assured that I have not long to live. + How long, God only knows. It grieves me not to have seen you + again in London, and I did hope that you might yourself + introduce me to your wife and children. I hear that a + farewell dinner is to be given you on Saturday, and greatly + should I rejoice to be present on that occasion, and along + with many other true-hearted friends wish you 'God-speed.' + But it must not be. I am not a close prisoner to my room, as + I was some weeks past, but I am still on the sick list, and + dare not expose myself to any sudden change of temperature, + or to the excitement of a public meeting. This is one of the + frailties of old age and infirm health. I have gone on + writing and writing more than I intended. Once for all, God + bless you! and pray (though I do not personally know them) + give my best and Christian love to your dear wife (Ma-Robert + she was called, I think, in Africa) and children. Ever + gratefully and affectionately yours, + + "A. SEDGWICK." + +Sir Roderick, too, had a kind parting word for his friend: "Accept my +warmest acknowledgments for your last farewell note. Believe me, my dear +friend, that no transaction in my somewhat long and very active life +has so truly rewarded me as my intercourse with you, for, from the +beginning to the end, it has been one continued bright gleam." + +To this note Livingstone, as was his wont, made a hearty and Christian +response: "Many blessings be on you and yours, and if we never meet +again on earth, may we through infinite mercy meet in heaven!" + +The last days in England were spent in arrangements for the expedition, +settling family plans, and bidding farewell. Mrs. Livingstone +accompanied her husband, along with Oswell, their youngest child. Dr. +Livingstone's heart was deeply affected in parting with his other +children. Amid all the hurry and bustle of leaving he snatches a few +minutes almost daily for a note to one or more of them: + + "_London, 2d February_, 1858.--MY DEAR TOM,--I am soon going + off from this country, and will leave you to the care of Him + who neither slumbers nor sleeps, and never disappointed any + one who put his trust in Him. If you make him your friend He + will be better to you than any companion can be. He is a + friend that sticketh closer than a brother. May He grant you + grace to seek Him and to serve Him. I have nothing better to + say to you than to take God for your Father, Jesus for your + Saviour, and the Holy Spirit for your sanctifier. Do this and + you are safe for ever. No evil can then befall you. Hope you + will learn quickly and well, so as to be fitted for God's + service in the world." + + "'_Pearl,' in the Mersey, 10th March_, 1858.--MY DEAR + TOM,--We are off again, and we trust that He who rules the + waves will watch over us and remain with you, to bless us and + make us blessings to our fellow-men. The Lord be with you, + and be very gracious to you! Avoid and hate sin, and cleave + to Jesus as your Saviour from guilt. Tell grandma we are off + again, and Janet will tell all about us." + +In his letters to his children from first to last, the counsel most +constantly and most earnestly pressed is to take Jesus for their friend. +The personal Saviour is continually present to his heart, as the one +inestimable treasure which he longs for them to secure. That treasure +had been a source of unspeakable peace and joy to himself amid all the +trials and troubles of his checkered life; if his children were only in +friendship with Him, he could breathe freely in leaving them, and feel +that they would indeed FARE WELL. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE ZAMBESI, AND FIRST EXPLORATION OF THE SHIRÉ. + +A.D. 1858-1859. + +Dr. and Mrs. Livingstone sail in the "Pearl"--Characteristic +instructions to members of Expedition--Dr. Livingstone conscious of +difficult position--Letter to Robert--Sierra Leone--Effects of British +Squadron and of Christian Missions--Dr. and Mrs. Moffat at Cape +Town--Splendid reception there--Illness of Mrs. Livingstone--She remains +behind--The five years of the Expedition--Letter to Mr. James Young--to +Dr. Moffat--Kongone entrance to Zambesi--Collision with Naval +Officer--Disturbed state of the country--Trip to Kebrabasa Rapids--Dr. +Livingstone applies for new steamer--Willing to pay for one +himself--Exploration of the Shiré--Murchison Cataracts--Extracts from +private Journal--Discovery of Lake Shirwa--Correspondence--Letters to +Agnes Livingstone--Trip to Tette--Kroomen and two members of Expedition +dismissed--Livingstone's vindication--Discovery of Lake Nyassa--Bright +hopes for the future--Idea of a colony--Generosity of +Livingstone--Letters to Mr. Maclear, Mr. Young, and Sir Roderick +Murchison--His sympathy with the "honest poor"--He hears of the birth of +his youngest daughter. + + +On the 10th March 1858, Dr. Livingstone, accompanied by Mrs. +Livingstone, their youngest son, Oswell, and the members of his +Expedition, sailed from Liverpool on board Her Majesty's colonial +steamer, the "Pearl," which carried the sections of the "Ma-Robert," the +steam launch with Mrs. Livingstone's African name, which was to be +permanently used in the exploration of the Zambesi and its tributaries. +At starting, the "Pearl" had fine weather and a favorable wind, and +quickly ran down the Channel and across the Bay of Biscay. With that +business-like precision which characterized him, Livingstone, as soon as +sea-sickness was over, had the instructions of the Foreign Office read +in presence of all the members of the Expedition, and he afterward wrote +out and delivered to each person a specific statement of the duties +expected of him. + +In these very characteristic papers, it is interesting to observe that +his first business was to lay down to each man his specific work, this +being done for the purpose of avoiding confusion and collision, +acknowledging each man's gifts, and making him independent in his own +sphere. While no pains were to be spared to make the Expedition +successful in its scientific and commercial aims, and while, for this +purpose, great stress was laid on the subsidiary instructions prepared +by Professor Owen, Sir W. Hooker, and Sir R. Murchison, Dr. Livingstone +showed still more earnestness in urging duties of a higher class, giving +to all the same wise and most Christian counsel to maintain the _moral_ +of the Expedition at the highest point, especially in dealing with +the natives: + + "You will understand that Her Majesty's Government attach + more importance to the moral influence which may be exerted + on the minds of the natives by a well-regulated and orderly + household of Europeans, setting an example of consistent + moral conduct to all who may congregate around the + settlement; treating the people with kindness, and relieving + their wants; teaching them to make experiments in + agriculture, explaining to them the more simple arts, + imparting to them religious instruction, as far as they are + capable of receiving it, and inculcating peace and good-will + to each other. + + "The expedition is well supplied with arms and ammunition, + and it will be necessary to use these in order to obtain + supplies of food, as well as to procure specimens for the + purposes of Natural History. In many parts of the country + which we hope to traverse, the larger animals exist in great + numbers, and, being comparatively tame, may be easily shot. I + would earnestly press on every member of the expedition a + sacred regard to life, and never to destroy it unless some + good end is to be answered by its extinction; the wanton + waste of animal life which I have witnessed from + night-hunting, and from the ferocious, but childlike, abuse + of the instruments of destruction in the hands of Europeans, + makes me anxious that this expedition should not be guilty of + similar abominations. + + "It is hoped that we may never have occasion to use our arms + for protection from the natives, but the best security from + attack consists in upright conduct, and the natives seeing + that we are prepared to meet it. At the same time, you are + strictly enjoined to exercise the greatest forbearance toward + the people; and, while retaining proper firmness in the event + of any misunderstanding, to conciliate, as far as possibly + can be done with safety to our party. + + "It is unnecessary for me to enjoin the strictest justice in + dealing with the natives. This your own principles will lead + you invariably to follow, but while doing so yourself, it is + decidedly necessary to be careful not _to appear_ to + overreach or insult any one by the conduct of those under + your command.... + + "The chiefs of tribes and leading men of villages ought + always to be treated with respect, and nothing should be done + to weaken their authority. Any present of food should be + accepted frankly, as it is impolitic to allow the ancient + custom of feeding strangers to go into disuse. We come among + them as members of a superior race, and servants of a + Government that desires to elevate the more degraded portions + of the human family. We are adherents of a benign, holy + religion, and may, by consistent conduct, and wise, patient + efforts, become the harbingers of peace to a hitherto + distracted and trodden-down race. No great result is ever + attained without patient, long-continued effort. In the + enterprise in which we have the honor to be engaged, deeds of + sympathy, consideration, and kindness, which, when viewed in + detail, may seem thrown away, if steadily persisted in, are + sure, ultimately, to exercise a commanding influence. Depend + upon it, a kind word or deed is never lost." + +Evidently, Dr. Livingstone felt himself in a difficult position at the +head of this enterprise. He was aware of the trouble that had usually +attended civil as contrasted with naval and military expeditions, from +the absence of that habit of discipline and obedience which is so firmly +established in the latter services. He had never served under Her +Majesty's Government himself, nor had he been accustomed to command such +men as were now under him, and there were some things in his antecedents +that made the duty peculiarly difficult. On one thing only he was +resolved: to do his own duty to the utmost, and to spare no pains to +induce every member of the Expedition to do his. It was impossible for +him not to be anxious as to how the team would pull together, especially +as he knew well the influence of a malarious atmosphere in causing +intense irritability of temper. In some respects, though not the most +obvious, this was the most trying period of his life. His letters and +other written papers show one little but not uninstructive effect of the +pressure and distraction that now came on him--in the great change which +his handwriting underwent--the neat, regular writing of his youth giving +place to a large and heavyish hand, as if he had never had time to mend +his pen, and his only thought had been how to get on most quickly. Yet +we see also, very clearly, how nobly he strove after self-control and +conciliatory ways. The tone of courtesy, the recognition of each man's +independence in his own sphere, and the appeal to his good sense and +good feeling, apparent in the instructions, show a studious desire, +while he took and intended to keep his place as Commander, to conceal +the symbols of authority, and bind the members of the party together as +a band of brothers. And though in his published book, _The Zambesi and +its Tributaries_, which was mainly a report of his doings to the +Government and the nation, he confined himself to the matters with which +he had been intrusted by them, there are many little proofs of his +seeking wisdom and strength from above with undiminished earnestness, +and of his striving, as much as ever, to do all to the glory of God. + +As the swift motion of the ship bears him farther and farther from home, +he cannot but think of his orphan children. As they near Sierra Leone, +on the 25th March, he sends a few lines to his eldest son: + + "MY DEAR ROBERT,--We have been going at the rate of 200 miles + a day ever since we left Liverpool, and have been much + favored by a kind Providence in the weather. Poor Oswell was + sorely sick while rolling through the Bay of Biscay, and ate + nothing for about three days; but we soon got away from the + ice and snow to beautiful summer weather, and we are getting + nicely thawed. We sleep with all our port-holes open, and are + glad of the awning by day. At night we see the Southern + Cross; and the Pole Star, which stands so high over you, is + here so low we cannot see it for the haze. We shall not see + it again, but the same almighty gracious Father is over all, + and is near to all who love Him. You are now alone in the + world, and must seek his friendship and guidance, for if you + do not lean on Him, you will go astray, and find that the way + of transgressors is hard. The Lord be gracious to you, and + accept you, though unworthy of his favor." + +Sierra Leone was reached in a fortnight. Dr. Livingstone was gratified +to learn that, during the last ten years, the health of the town had +improved greatly--consequent on the abatement of the "whisky fever," and +the draining and paving of the streets through the activity of Governor +Hill. He found the Sunday as well kept as in Scotland, and was sure that +posterity would acknowledge the great blessing which the operations of +the English Squadron on the one hand and the various Christian missions +on the other had effected. He was more than ever convinced, +notwithstanding all that had been said against it, that the English +Squadron had been a great blessing on the West Coast. The Christian +missions, too, that had been planted under the protection of the +Squadron, were an evidence of its beneficial influence. He used +constantly to refer with intense gratitude to the work of Lord +Palmerston in this cause, and to the very end of his life his Lordship +was among the men whose memory he most highly honored. Often, when he +wished to describe his aim briefly, in regard to slavery, commerce, and +missions, he would say it was to do on the East Coast what had been done +on the West. At Sierra Leone a crew of twelve Kroomen was engaged and +taken on board for the navigation of the "Ma-Robert," after it should +reach the Zambesi. On their leaving Sierra Leone, the weather became +very rough, and from the state of Mrs. Livingstone's health, inclining +very much to fever, it was deemed necessary that she, with Oswell, +should be left at the Cape, go to Kuruman for a time, and after her +coming confinement, join her husband on the Zambesi in 1860. "This," +says Livingstone in his Journal, "is a great trial to me, for had she +come on with us, she might have proved of essential service to the +Expedition in case of sickness or otherwise; but it may all turn out for +the best." It was the first disappointment, and it was but partially +balanced by his learning from Dr. Moffat, who, with his wife, met them +at the Cape, that he had made out his visit to Mosilikatse, and had +learned that the men whom Livingstone had left at Tette had not returned +home, so that they would still be waiting for him there. He knew of what +value they would be to him in explaining his intentions to the natives. +From Sir George Grey, the excellent Governor of the Cape, and the +inhabitants of Cape Town generally, the Expedition met with an unusually +cordial reception. At a great meeting at the Exchange, a silver box +containing a testimonial of eight hundred guineas was presented to +Livingstone by the Governor; and two days after, a grand dinner was +given to the members of the Expedition, the Attorney-General being in +the chair. Mr. Maclear was most enthusiastic in the reception of his +friend, and at the public meeting had so much to say about him that he +could hardly be brought to a close. It must have been highly amusing to +Livingstone to contrast Cape Town in 1852 with Cape Town in 1858. In +1852 he was so suspected that he could hardly get a pound of gunpowder +or a box of caps while preparing for his unprecedented journey, and he +had to pay a heavy fine to get rid of a cantankerous post-master. Now he +returns with the Queen's gold band round his cap, and with brighter +decorations round his name than Sovereigns can give; and all Cape Town +hastens to honor him. It was a great victory, as it was also a striking +illustration of the world's ways. + +It is not our object to follow Dr. Livingstone into all the details of +his Expedition, but merely to note a few of the more salient points, in +connection with the opportunities it afforded for the achievement of his +object and the development of his character. It may he well to note +here generally how the years were occupied. The remainder of 1858 was +employed in exploring the mouths of the Zambesi, and the river itself up +to Tette and the Kebrabasa Rapids, a few miles beyond. Next +year--1859--was devoted mainly to three successive trips on the river +Shiré, the third being signalized by the discovery of Lake Nyassa. In +1860 Livingstone went back with his Makololo up the Zambesi to the +territories of Sekelétu. In 1861, after exploring the river Rovuma, and +assisting Bishop Mackenzie to begin the Universities' Mission, he +started for Lake Nyassa, returning to the ship toward the end of the +year. In 1862 occurred the death of the Bishop and other missionaries, +and also, during a detention at Shupanga, the death of Mrs. Livingstone: +in the latter part of the year Livingstone again explored the Rovuma. In +1863 he was again exploring the Shiré Valley and Lake Nyassa, when an +order came from Her Majesty's Government, recalling the Expedition. In +1864 he started in the "Lady Nyassa" for Bombay, and thence returned +to England. + +On the 1st May, 1858, the "Pearl" sailed from Simon's Bay, and on the +14th stood in for the entrance to the Zambesi, called the West Luabo, or +Hoskins's Branch. Of their progress Dr. Livingstone gives his +impressions in the following letter to his friend Mr. James Young: + + "'PEARL,'10_th May_, 1858. + + "Here we are, off Cape Corrientes ('Whaur's that, I + wonner?'), and hope to be off the Luabo four days hence. We + have been most remarkably favored in the weather, and it is + well, for had our ship been in a gale with all this weight on + her deck, it would have been perilous. Mrs. Livingstone was + sea-sick all the way from Sierra Leone, and got as thin as a + lath. As this was accompanied by fever, I was forced to run + into Table Bay, and when I got ashore I found her father and + mother down all the way from Kuruman to see us and help the + young missionaries, whom the London Missionary Society has + not yet sent. Glad, of course, to see the old couple again. + We had a grand to-do at the Cape. Eight hundred guineas were + presented in a silver box by the hand of the Governor, Sir + George Grey, a fine fellow. Sure, no one might be more + thankful to the Giver of all than myself. The Lord grant me + grace to serve Him with heart and soul--the only return I can + make!... It was a bitter parting with my wife, like tearing + the heart out of one. It was so unexpected; and now we are + screwing away up the coast.... We are all agreeable yet, and + all looking forward with ardor to our enterprise. It is + likely that I shall come down with the 'Pearl' through the + Delta to doctor them if they become ill, and send them on to + Ceylon with a blessing. All have behaved well, and I am + really thankful to see it, and hope that God will graciously + make some better use of us in promoting his glory. I met a + Dr. King in Simon's Bay, of the 'Cambrian' frigate, one of + our class-mates in the Andersonian. This frigate, by the way, + saluted us handsomely when we sailed out. We have a + man-of-war to help us (the 'Hermes'), but the lazy muff is + far behind. He is, however, to carry our despatches to + Quilimane...." + +A letter to Dr. Moffat lets us know in what manner he was preparing to +teach the twelve Kroomen who were to navigate the "Ma-Robert," and his +old Makololo men: + + "First of all, supposing Mr. Skead should take this back by + the 'Hermes' in time to catch you at the Cape, would you be + kind enough to get a form of prayer printed for me? We have + twelve Kroomen, who seem docile and willing to be taught; + when we are parted from the 'Pearl' we shall have prayers + with them every morning.... I think it will be an advantage + to have the prayers in Sichuana when my men join us, and if + we have a selection from the English Litany, with the Lord's + Prayer in Sichuana, all may join. Will you translate it, + beginning at 'Remember not, Lord, our offenses,' up to 'the + right way'? Thence, petition for chiefs, and on to the + end.... The Litany need not be literal. I suppose you are not + a rabid nonconformist, or else I would not venture to ask + this...." + +By the time they reached the mouth of the Zambesi, Livingstone was +suffering from a severe attack of diarrhoea. On the 16th of May, being +Sunday, while still suffering, he deemed it a work of necessity, in +order to get as soon as possible out of the fever-breeding region of +mangrove swamps where they had anchored, that they should at remove the +sections of the "Ma-Robert" from the "Pearl"; accordingly, with the +exception of the time occupied in the usual prayers, that day was spent +in labor. His constant regard for the day of rest and great +unwillingness to engage in labor then, is the best proof that on this +occasion the necessity for working was to his mind absolutely +irresistible. He had found that active exercise every day was one of the +best preventives of fever; certainly it is very remarkable how +thoroughly the men of the Expedition escaped it at this time. In his +Journal he says: "After the experience gained by Dr. M'William, and +communicated to the world in his admirable _Medical History of the Niger +Expedition_, I should have considered myself personally guilty had any +of the crew of the 'Pearl' or of the Expedition been cut off through +delay in the mangrove swamps." Afterward, when Mrs. Livingstone died +during a long but unavoidable delay at Shupanga, a little farther up, he +was more than ever convinced that he had acted rightly. But some of his +friends were troubled, and many reflections were thrown on him, +especially by those who bore him no good-will. + +The first important fact in the history of the Expedition was the +discovery of the advantage of the Kongone entrance of the Zambesi, the +best of all the mouths of the river for navigation. Soon after a site +was fixed on as a depôt, and while the luggage and stores were being +landed at it, there occurred an unfortunate collision with the naval +officer, who tendered his resignation. At first Livingstone declined to +accept of it, but on its being tendered a second time he allowed the +officer to go. It vexed him to the last degree to have this difference +so early, nor did he part with the officer without much forbearance and +anxiety to ward off the breach. In his despatches to Government the +whole circumstances were fully detailed. Letters to Mr. Maclear and +other private friends give a still more detailed narrative. In a few +quarters blame was cast upon him, and in the Cape newspapers the affair +was much commented on. In due time there came a reply from Lord +Malmesbury, then Foreign Secretary, dated 26th April, 1859, to the +effect that after full inquiry by himself, and after consulting with the +Admiralty, his opinion was that the officer had failed to clear himself, +and that Dr. Livingstone's proceedings were fully approved. Livingstone +had received authority to stop the pay of any member of the Expedition +that should prove unsatisfactory; this, of course, subjected his conduct +to the severer criticism. + +When the officer left, Livingstone calmly took his place, adding the +charge of the ship to his other duties. This step would appear alike +rash and presumptuous, did we not know that he never undertook any work +without full deliberation, and did we not remember that in the course of +three sea-voyages which he had performed he had had opportunities of +seeing how a ship was managed--opportunities of which, no doubt, with +his great activity of mind, he had availed himself most thoroughly. The +facility with which he could assume a new function, and do its duties as +if he had been accustomed to it all his life, was one of the most +remarkable things about him. His chief regret in taking the new burden +was, that it would limit his intercourse with the natives, and prevent +him from doing as much missionary work as he desired. Writing soon after +to Miss Whately, of Dublin, he says: "It was imagined we could not help +ourselves, but I took the task of navigating on myself, and have +conducted the steamer over 1600 miles, though as far as my likings go, I +would as soon drive a cab in November fogs in London as be 'skipper' in +this hot sun; but I shall go through with it as a duty." To his friend +Mr. Young he makes humorous reference to his awkwardness in nautical +language: "My great difficulty is calling out 'starboard' when I mean +'port,' and feeling crusty when I see the helmsman putting the helm the +wrong way." + +Another difficulty arose from the state of the country north of the +Zambesi, in consequence of the natives having rebelled against the +Portuguese and being in a state of war. Livingstone was cautioned that +he would be attacked if he ventured to penetrate into the country. He +resolved to keep out of the quarrel, but to push on in spite of it. At +one time his party, being mistaken for Portuguese, were on the point of +being fired on, but on Livingstone shouting out that they were English +the natives let them alone. On reaching Tette he found his old followers +in ecstasies at seeing him; the Portuguese Government had done nothing +for them, but Major Sicard, the excellent Governor of Tette, had helped +them to find employment and maintain themselves. Thirty had died of +small-pox; six had been killed by an unfriendly chief. When the +survivors saw Dr. Livingstone, they said: "The Tette people often +taunted us by saying, 'Your Englishman will never return;' but we +trusted you, and now we shall sleep." It gave Livingstone a new hold on +them and on the natives generally, that he had proved true to his +promise, and had come back as he had said. As the men had found ways of +living at Tette, Livingstone was not obliged to take them to their home +immediately. + +One of his first endeavors after reaching Tette was to ascertain how far +the navigation of the Zambesi was impeded by the rapids at Kebrabasa, +between twenty and thirty miles above Tette, which he had heard of but +not seen on his journey from Linyanti to Quilimane. The distance was +short and the enterprise apparently easy, but in reality it presented +such difficulties as only his dogged perseverance could have overcome. +After he had been twice at the rapids, and when he believed he had seen +the whole, he accidentally learned, after a day's march on the way home, +that there was another rapid which he had not yet seen. Determined to +see all, he returned, with Dr. Kirk and four Makololo, and it was on +this occasion that his followers, showing the blisters on their feet +burst by the hot rocks, told him, when he urged them to make another +effort, that hitherto they had always believed he had a heart, but now +they saw he had none, and wondered if he were mad. Leaving them, he and +Dr. Kirk pushed on alone; but their boots and clothes were destroyed; in +three hours they made but a mile. Next day, however, they gained their +point and saw the rapid. It was plain to Dr. Livingstone that had he +taken this route in 1856, instead of through the level Shidina country, +he must have perished. The party were of opinion that when the river was +in full flood the rapids might be navigated, and this opinion was +confirmed on a subsequent visit paid by Mr. Charles Livingstone and Mr. +Baines during the rainy season. But the "Ma-Robert" with its single +engine had not power to make way. It was resolved to apply to Her +Majesty's Government for a more suitable vessel to carry them up the +country, stores and all. Until the answer should come to this +application, Dr. Livingstone could not return with his Makololo to their +own country. + +While making this application, he was preparing another string for his +bow. He wrote to his friend Mr. James Young that if Government refused +he would get a vessel at his own expense, and in a succession of letters +authorized him to spend £2000 of his own money in the purchase of a +suitable ship. Eventually, both suggestions were carried into effect. +The Government gave the "Pioneer" for the navigation of the Zambesi and +lower Shiré; Livingstone procured the "Lady Nyassa" for the Lake (where, +however, she never floated), but the cost was more than £6000--the +greater part, indeed, of the profits of his book. + +The "Ma-Robert," which had promised so well at first, now turned out a +great disappointment. Her consumption of fuel was enormous; her furnace +had to be lighted hours before the steam was serviceable; she snorted so +horribly that they called her "The Asthmatic," and after all she made +so little progress that canoes could easily pass her. Having taken much +interest in the purchase of the vessel, and thought he was getting a +great bargain because its owner professed to do so much through "love of +the cause," Livingstone was greatly mortified when he found he had got +an inferior and unworthy article; and many a joke he made, as well as +remarks of a more serious kind, in connection with the manner which the +"eminent shipbuilder" had taken to show his love. + +Early in 1859 the exploration of the Shiré was begun--a river hitherto +absolutely unknown. The country around was rich and fertile, the natives +not unfriendly, but suspicious. They had probably never been visited +before but by man-stealers, and had never seen Europeans. The Shiré +Valley was inhabited by the Manganja, a very warlike race. Some days' +journey above the junction with the Zambesi, where the Shiré issues from +the mountains, the progress of the party was stopped by rapids, to which +they gave the name of the "Murchison Cataracts." It seemed in vain to +penetrate among the people at that time without supplies, considering +how suspicious they were. Crowds went along the banks watching them by +day; they had guards over them all night, and these were always ready +with their bows and poisoned arrows. Nevertheless, some progress was +made in civilizing them, and at a future time it was hoped that further +exploration might take place. + +Some passages in Livingstone's private Journal give us a glimpse of the +more serious thoughts that were passing through his mind at this time: + + "_March_ 3, 1859.--If we dedicate ourselves to God + unreservedly He will make use of whatever peculiarities of + constitution He has imparted for his own glory, and He will + in answer to prayer give wisdom to guide. He will so guide as + to make useful. O how far am I from that hearty devotion to + God I read of in others! The Lord have mercy on me a sinner!" + + "_March 5th_.--A woman left Tette yesterday with a cargo of + slaves (20 men and 40 women) in irons to sell to St. Cruz [a + trader], for exportation at Bourbon. Francisco at Shupanga is + the great receiver for Cruz. This is carnival, and it is + observed chiefly as a drinking feast." + + "_March 6th_.--Teaching Makololo Lord's Prayer and Creed. + Prayers as usual at 9-1/2 A.M. When employed in active + travel, my mind becomes inactive, and the heart cold and + dead, but after remaining some time quiet, the heart revives + and I become more spiritually-minded. This is a mercy which I + have experienced before, and when I see a matter to be duty I + go on regardless of my feelings. I do trust that the Lord is + with me, though the mind is engaged in other matters than the + spiritual. I want my whole life to be out and out for the + Divine glory, and my earnest prayer is that God may accept + what his own Spirit must have implanted--the desire to + glorify Him. I have been more than usually drawn out in + earnest prayer of late--for the Expedition--for my + family--the fear lest ----'s misrepresentation may injure the + cause of Christ--the hope that I may be permitted to open + this dark land to the blessed gospel. I have cast all before + my God. Good Lord, have mercy upon me. Leave me not, nor + forsake me. He has guided well in time past. I commit my way + to Him for the future. All I have received has come from Him. + Will He be pleased in mercy to use me for his glory? I have + prayed for this, and Jesus himself said, 'Ask, and ye shall + receive, and a host of statements to the same effect. There + is a great deal of trifling frivolousness in not trusting in + God. Not trusting in Him who is truth itself, faithfulness, + the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever! It is presumption + not to trust in Him implicitly, and yet this heart is + sometimes fearfully guilty of distrust. I am ashamed to think + of it. Ay; but He must put the trusting, loving, childlike + spirit in by his grace. O Lord, I am Thine, truly I am + Thine--take me--do what seemeth good in Thy sight with me, + and give me complete resignation to Thy will in all things." + +Two months later (May, 1859), a second ascent of the Shiré was +performed, and friendly relations were established with a clever chief +named Chibisa, "a jolly person, who laughs easily--which is always a +good sign." Chibisa believed firmly in two things--the divine right of +kings, and the impossibility that Chibisa should ever be in the wrong. +He told them that his father had imparted an influence to him, which had +come in by his head, whereby every person that had heard him speak +respected him greatly. Livingstone evidently made a great impression on +Chibisa; like other chiefs, he began to fall under the spell of his +influence. + +Making a détour to the east, the travelers now discovered Lake Shirwa, +"a magnificent inland lake." This lake was absolutely unknown to the +Portuguese, who, indeed, were never allowed by the natives to enter the +Shiré. Livingstone had often to explain that he and his party were not +Portuguese but British. After discovering this lake, the party returned +to the ship, and then sailed to the Kongone harbor, in hopes of meeting +a man-of-war and obtaining provisions. In this, however, they were +disappointed. + +Some idea of the voluminous correspondence carried on by Dr. Livingstone +may be formed from the following enumeration of the friends to whom he +addressed letters in May of this year: Lords Clarendon and Palmerston, +Bishop of Oxford, Miss Burdett Coutts, Mr. Venn, Lord Kinnaird, Mr. +James Wilson, Mr. Oswell, Colonel Steele, Dr. Newton of Philadelphia, +his brother John in Canada, J.B. and C. Braithwaite, Dr. Andrew Smith, +Admiral F. Grey, Sir R. Murchison, Captain Washington, Mr. Maclear, +Professor Owen, Major Vardon, Mrs. Livingstone, Viscount Goderich. + +Here is the account he gave of his proceedings to his little daughter +Agnes: + + "_River Shiré, 1st June_ 1859.--We have been down to the + mouth of the river Zambesi in expectation of meeting a + man-of-war with salt provisions, but, none appearing on the + day appointed, we conclude that the Admiral has not received + my letters in time to send her. We have no post-office here, + so we buried a bottle containing a letter on an island in the + entrance to Kongone harbor. This we told the Admiral we + should do in case of not meeting the cruiser, and whoever + comes will search for our bottle and see another appointment + for 30th of July. This goes with despatches by way of + Quilimane, and I hope some day to get from you a letter by + the same route. We have got no news from home since we left + Liverpool, and we long now to hear how all goes on in Europe + and in India. I am now on my way to Tette, but we ran up the + Shiré some forty miles to buy rice for our company. Uncle + Charles is there, He has had some fever, but is better. We + left him there about two months ago, and Dr. Kirk and I, + with some fifteen Makololo, ascended this river one hundred + miles in the 'Ma-Robert,' then left the vessel and proceeded + beyond that on foot till we had discovered a magnificent lake + called Shirwa (pronounced Shurwah). It was very grand, for we + could not see the end of it, though some way up a mountain; + and all around it are mountains much higher than any you see + in Scotland. One mountain stands in the lake, and people live + on it. Another, called Zomba, is more than six thousand feet + high, and people live on it too, for we could see their + gardens on its top, which is larger than from Glasgow to + Hamilton, or about from fifteen to eighteen miles. The + country is quite a Highland region, and many people live in + it. Most of them were afraid of us. The women ran into their + huts and shut the doors. The children screamed in terror, and + even the hens would fly away and leave their chickens. I + suppose you would be frightened, too, if you saw strange + creatures, say a lot of Trundlemen, like those on the Isle of + Man pennies, come whirling up the street. No one was impudent + to us except some slave-traders, but they became civil as + soon as they learned we were English and not Portuguese. We + saw the sticks they employ for training any one whom they + have just bought. One is is about eight feet long, the head, + or neck rather, is put into the space between the dotted + lines and shaft, and another slave carries the end. When they + are considered tame they are allowed to go in chains. + + [Illustration] + + "I am working in the hope that in the course of time this + horrid system may cease. All the country we traveled through + is capable of growing cotton and sugar, and the people now + cultivate a good deal. They would grow much more if they + could only sell it. At present we in England are the mainstay + of slavery in America and elsewhere by buying slave-grown + produce. Here there are hundreds of miles of land lying + waste, and so rich that the grass towers far over one's head + in walking. You cannot see where the narrow paths end, the + grass is so tall and overhangs them so. If our countrymen + were here they would soon render slave-buying unprofitable. + Perhaps God may honor us to open up the way for this. My + heart is sore when I think of so many of our countrymen in + poverty and misery, while they might be doing so much good to + themselves and others where our Heavenly Father has so + abundantly provided fruitful hills and fertile valleys. If + our people were out here they would not need to cultivate + little snatches by the side of railways as they do. But all + is in the hands of the all-wise Father We must trust that He + will bring all out right at last. + + "My dear Agnes, you must take Him to be your Father and + Guide. Tell Him all that is in your heart, and make Him your + confidant. His ear is ever open, and He despiseth not the + humblest sigh. He is your best friend and loves at all times. + It is not enough to be a servant, you must be a friend of + Jesus. Love Him and surrender your entire being to Him. The + more you trust Him, casting all your care upon Him, the more + He is pleased, and He will so guide you that your life will + be for his own glory. The Lord be with you. My kind love to + Grandma and to all your friends. I hope your eyes are better, + and that you are able to read books for yourself. Tell Tom + that we caught a young elephant in coming down the Shiré, + about the size of the largest dog he ever saw, but one of the + Makololo, in a state of excitement, cut its trunk, so that it + bled very much, and died in two days. Had it lived we should + have sent it to the Queen, as no African elephant was ever + seen in England. No news from mamma and Oswell. + +Another evidence of the place of his children in his thoughts is found +in the following lines in his Journal: + + "_20th June_, 1859.--I cannot and will not attribute any of + the public attention which has been awakened to my own wisdom + or ability. The great Power being my Helper, I shall always + say that my success is all owing to his favor. I have been + the channel of the Divine Power, and I pray that his gracious + influence may penetrate me so that all may turn to the + advancement of his gracious reign in this fallen world. + + "Oh, may the mild influence of the Eternal Spirit enter the + bosoms of my children, penetrate their souls, and diffuse + through their whole natures the everlasting love of God in + Jesus Christ! Holy, gracious, almighty Power, I hide myself + in Thee through Thy almighty Son. Take my children under Thy + care. Purify them and fit them for Thy service. Let the beams + of the Sun of Righteousness produce spring, summer, and + harvest in them for Thee." + +The short trip from Kongone to Tette and back was marked by some changes +in the composition of the party. The Kroomen being found to be useless, +were shipped on board a man-of-war. The services of two members of the +Expedition were also dispensed with, as they were not found to be +promoting its ends. Livingstone would not pay the public money to men +who, he believed, were not thoroughly earning it. To these troubles was +added the constantly increasing mortification arising from the state +of the ship. + +It has sometimes been represented, in view of such facts as have just +been recorded, that Livingstone was imperious and despotic in the +management of other men, otherwise he and his comrades would have got on +better together. The accusation, even at first sight, has an air of +improbability, for Livingstone's nature was most kindly, and it was the +aim of his life to increase enjoyment. In explanation of the friction on +board his ship it must be remembered that his party were a sort of +scratch crew brought together without previous acquaintance or knowledge +of each other's ways; that the heat and the mosquitoes, the delays, the +stoppages on sandbanks, the perpetual struggle for fuel[59], the +monotony of existence, with so little to break it, and the irritating +influence of the climate, did not tend to smooth their tempers or +increase the amenities of life. The malarious climate had a most +disturbing effect. No one, it is said, who has not experienced it, could +imagine the sensation of misery connected with the feverish attacks so +common in the low districts. And Livingstone had difficulties in +managing his countrymen he had not in managing the natives. He was so +conscientious, so deeply in earnest, so hard a worker himself, that he +could endure nothing that seemed like playing or trifling with duty. +Sometimes, too, things were harshly represented to him, on which a +milder construction might have been put. One of those with whom he +parted at this time afterward rejoined the Expedition, his pay being +restored on Livingstone's intercession. Those who continued to enjoy his +friendship were never weary of speaking of his delightful qualities as a +companion in travel, and the warm sunshine which he had the knack of +spreading around. + +[Footnote 59: This was incredible. Livingstone wrote to his friend José +Nunes that it took all hands a day and a half to cut one day's fuel.] + +A third trip up the Shiré was made in August, and on the 16th of +September Lake Nyassa was discovered. Livingstone had no doubt that he +and his party were the discoverers; Dr. Roscher, on whose behalf a claim +was subsequently made, was two months later, and his unfortunate murder +by the natives made it doubtful at what point he reached the lake. The +discovery of Lake Nyassa, as well as Lake Shirwa, was of immense +importance, because they were both parallel to the ocean, and the whole +traffic of the regions beyond must pass by this line. The configuration +of the Shiré Valley, too, was favorable to colonization. The valley +occupied three different levels. First there was a plain on the level of +the river, like that of the Nile, close and hot. Rising above this to +the east there was another plain, 2000 feet high, three or four miles +broad, salubrious and pleasant. Lastly, there was a third plain 3000 +feet above the second, positively cold. To find such varieties of +climate within a few miles of each other was most interesting. + +In other respects the region opened up was remarkable. There was a great +amount of fertile land, and the products were almost endless. The people +were industrious; in the Upper Shiré, notwithstanding a great love of +beer, they lived usually to a great age. Cleanliness was not a universal +virtue; the only way in which the Expedition could get rid of a +troublesome follower was by threatening to wash him. The most +disagreeable thing in the appearance of the women was their +lip-ornament, consisting of a ring of ivory or tin, either hollow or +made into a cup, inserted in the upper lip. Dr. Livingstone used to give +full particulars of this fearful practice, having the idea that the +taste of ladies at home in dress and ornament was not free from similar +absurdity; or, as he wrote at this time to the Royal Geographical +Society of Vienna, in acknowledging the honor of being made a +corresponding member, "because our own ladies, who show so much virtuous +perseverance with their waists, may wish to try lip-ornament too." In +regard to the other sex, he informed the same Society: "I could see +nothing encouraging for the gentlemen who are anxious to prove that we +are all descended from a race that wore tails." + +In the highland regions of the Shiré Valley, the party were distinctly +conscious of an increase of energy, from the more bracing climate. Dr. +Livingstone was thoroughly convinced that these highlands of the Shiré +Valley were the proper locality for commercial and missionary stations. +Thus one great object of the Expedition was accomplished. In another +point of view, this locality would be highly serviceable for stations. +It was the great pathway for conveying slaves from the north and +northwest to Zanzibar. Of this he had only too clear evidence in the +gangs of slaves whom he saw marched along from time to time, and whom he +would have been most eager to release had he known of any way of +preventing them from falling again into the hands of the slave-sellers. +In this region Englishmen "might enjoy good health, and also be of +signal benefit, by leading the multitude of industrious inhabitants to +cultivate cotton, maize, sugar, and other valuable produce, to exchange +for goods of European manufacture, at the same time teaching them, by +precept and example, the great truths of our holy religion." +Water-carriage existed all the way from England, with the exception of +the Murchison Cataracts, along which a road of forty miles might easily +be made. A small steamer on the lake would do more good in suppressing +the slave-trade than half-a-dozen men-of-war in the ocean. If the +Zambesi could be opened to commerce the bright vision of the last ten +years would be realized, and the Shiré Valley and banks of the Nyassa +transformed into the garden of the Lord. + +From the very first Livingstone saw the importance of the Shiré Valley +and Lake Nyassa as the key to Central Africa. Ever since, it has become +more and more evident that his surmise was correct. To make the +occupation thoroughly effective, he thought much of the desirableness +of a British colony, and was prepared to expend a great part of the +remainder of his private means to carry it into effect. On August 4th, +he says in his Journal: + + "I have a very strong desire to commence a system of + colonization of the honest poor; I would give £2000 or £3000 + for the purpose. Intend to write my friend Young about it, + and authorize him to draw if the project seems feasible. The + Lord remember my desire, sanctify my motives, and purify all + my desires. Wrote him. + + "Colonization from a country such as ours ought to be one of + hope, and not of despair. It ought not to be looked upon as + the last and worst shift that a family can come to, but the + performance of an imperative duty to our blood, our country, + our religion, and to humankind. As soon as children begin to + be felt an incumbrance, and what was properly in ancient + times Old Testament blessings are no longer welcomed, parents + ought to provide for removal to parts of this wide world + where every accession is an addition of strength, and every + member of the household feels in his inmost heart, 'the more + the merrier.' It is a monstrous evil that all our healthy, + handy, blooming daughters of England have not a fair chance + at least to become the centres of domestic affections. The + state of society, which precludes so many of them from + occupying the position which Englishwomen are so well + calculated to adorn, gives rise to enormous evils in the + opposite sex,--evils and wrongs which we dare not even + name,--and national colonization is almost the only remedy. + Englishwomen are, in general, the most beautiful in the + world, and yet our national emigration has often, by + selecting the female emigrants from workhouses, sent forth + the ugliest huzzies in creation to be the mothers--the model + mothers--of new empires. Here, as in other cases, State + necessities have led to the ill-formed and ill-informed being + preferred to the well-formed and well-inclined honest poor, + as if the worst as well as better qualities of mankind did + not often run in the blood." + +The idea of the colony quite fascinated Livingstone, and we find him +writing on it fully to three of his most confidential business +friends--Mr. Maclear, Mr. Young, and Sir Roderick Murchison. In all +Livingstone's correspondence we find the tone of his letters modified by +the character of his correspondents. While to Mr. Young and Sir Roderick +he is somewhat cautious on the subject of the colony, knowing the keen +practical eye they would direct on the proposal, to Mr. Maclear he is +more gushing. He writes to him: + + "I feel such a gush of emotion on thinking of the great work + before us that I must unburden my mind. I am becoming every + day more decidedly convinced that English colonization is an + essential ingredient for our large success.... In this new + region of Highlands no end of good could be effected in + developing the trade in cotton and in discouraging that in + slaves.... You know how I have been led on from one step to + another by the overruling Providence of the great Parent, as + I believe, in order to a great good for Africa. 'Commit thy + way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will bring it to + pass.' I have tried to do this, and now see the prospect in + front spreading out grandly.... But how is the land so + promising to be occupied?... How many of our home poor are + fighting hard to keep body and soul together! My heart yearns + over our own poor when I see so much of God's fair earth + unoccupied. Here it is really so; for the people have only a + few sheep and goats, and no cattle. I wonder why we cannot + have the old monastery system without the celibacy. In no + other part where I have been does the prospect of + self-support seem so inviting, and promising so much + influence. Most of what is done for the poor has especial + reference to the blackguard poor." + +In his letter to Mr. Young he expressed his conviction that a great +desideratum in mission agency was missionary emigration by honest +Christian poor to give living examples of Christian life that would +insure permanency to the gospel once planted. He had always had a warm +side to the English and Scottish poor--his own order, indeed. If twenty +or thirty families would come out as an experiment, he was ready to give +£2000 without saying from whom. He bids Mr. Young speak about the plan +to Thorn of Chorley, Turner of Manchester, Lord Shaftesbury, and the +Duke of Argyll. "Now, my friend," he adds, "do your best, and God's +blessing be with you. Much is done for the blackguard poor. Let us +remember our own class, and do good while we have opportunity. I hereby +authorize you to act in my behalf, and do whatever is to be done without +hesitancy." + +These letters, and their references to the honest poor, are +characteristic. We have seen that among Dr. Livingstone's forefathers +and connections were some very noble specimens of the honest poor. It +touched him to think that, with all their worth, their life had been one +protracted struggle. His sympathies were cordially with the class. He +desired with all his heart to see them with a little less of the burden +and more of the comfort of life. And he believed very thoroughly that, +as Christian settlers in a heathen country, they might do more to +promote Christianity among the natives than solitary missionaries could +accomplish. + +His parents and sisters were not forgotten. His letters to home are +again somewhat in the apologetic vein. He feels that some explanation +must be given of his own work, and some vindication of his coadjutors: + + "We are working hard," he writes to his mother, "at what some + can see at a glance the importance of, while to others we + appear following after the glory of discovering lakes, + mountains, jenny-nettles, and puddock-stools. In reference to + these people I always remember a story told me by the late + Dr. Philip with great glee. When a young minister in + Aberdeen, he visited an old woman in affliction, and began to + talk very fair to her on the duty of resignation, trusting, + hoping, and all the rest of it, when the old woman looked up + into his face, and said, 'Peer thing, ye ken naething aboot + it.' This is what I say to those who set themselves up to + judge another man's servant. We hope our good Master may + permit us to do some good to our fellow-men." + +His correspondence with Sir Roderick Murchison is likewise full of the +idea of the colony. He is thoroughly persuaded that no good will ever be +done by the Portuguese. They are a worn-out people--utterly worn out by +disease--their stamina consumed. Fresh European blood must be poured +into Africa. In consequence of recent discoveries, he now sees his way +open, and all his hopes of benefit to England and Africa about to be +realized. This must have been one of Livingstone's happiest times. +Visions of Christian colonies, of the spread of arts and civilization, +of the progress of Christianity and the Christian graces, of the +cultivation of cotton and the disappearance of the slave-trade, floated +before him. Already the wilderness seemed to be blossoming. But the +bright consummation was not so near as it seemed. One source of mischief +was yet unchecked, and from it disastrous storms were preparing to break +on the enterprise. + +On his way home, Dr. Livingstone's health was not satisfactory, but this +did not keep him from duty. "14_th October>_.--Went on 17th part way up +to Murchison's Cataracts, and yesterday reached it. Very ill with +bleeding from the bowels and purging. Bled all night. Got up at one A.M. +to take latitude." + +At length, on 4th November, 1859, letters reached him from his family. +"A letter from Mrs. L. says we were blessed with a little daughter on +16th November, 1858, at Kuruman. A fine healthy child. The Lord bless +and make her his own child in heart and life!" She had been nearly a +year in the world before he heard of her existence. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +GOING HOME WITH THE MAKOLOLO. + +A.D. 1860. + +Down to Kongone--State of the ship--Further delay--Letter to Secretary +of Universities Mission--Letter to Mr. Braithwaite--At Tette--Miss +Whately's sugar-mill--With his brother and Kirk at Kebrabasa--Mode of +traveling--Reappearence of old friends--African warfare and its +effects--Desolation--A European colony desirable--Escape from +rhinoceros--Rumors of Moffat--The Portuguese local Governors oppose +Livingstone--He becomes unpopular with them--Letter to Mr. Young--Wants +of the country--The Makololo--Approach home--Some are disappointed--News +of the death of the London missionaries, the Helmores and others--Letter +to Dr. Moffat--The Victoria Falls re-examined--Sekelétu ill of +leprosy--Treatment and recovery--His disappointment at not seeing Mrs. +Livingstone--Efforts for the spiritual good of the Makololo--Careful +observations in Natural History--The last of the "Ma-Robert"--Cheering +prospect of the Universities Mission--Letter to Mr. Moore--to Mr. +Young--He wishes another ship--Letter to Sir Roderick Murchison on the +rumored journey of Silva Porto. + + +It was necessary to go down to Kongone for the repair of the ship. +Livingstone was greatly disappointed with it, and thought the greed of +the vendor had supplied him with a very inferior article for the price +of a good one. He thus pours forth his vexation in writing to a friend: +"Very grievous it is to be standing here tinkering when we might be +doing good service to the cause of African civilization, and that on +account of insatiable greediness. Burton may thank L. and B. that we are +not at the other lakes before him. The loss of time greediness has +inflicted on us has been frightful. My plan in this Expedition was +excellent, but it did not include provisions against hypocrisy and +fraud, which have sorely crippled us, and, indeed, ruined us, as a +scientific Expedition." + +Another delay was caused before they went inward, from their having to +wait for a season suitable for hunting, as the party had to be kept in +food. The mail from England had been lost, and they had the bitter +disappointment of losing a year's correspondence from home. The +following portions of a letter to the Secretary of the Committee for a +Universities Mission gives a view of the situation at this time: + + "RIVER ZAMBESI, 26_th Jan._, 1860. + + "The defects we have unfortunately experienced in the + 'Ma-Robert,' or rather the 'Asthmatic,' are so numerous that + it would require a treatise as long as a lawyer's + specification of any simple subject to give you any idea of + them, and they have inflicted so much toil that a feeling of + sickness comes over me when I advert to them. + + "No one will ever believe the toil we have been put to in + woodcutting. The quantity consumed is enormous, and we cannot + get sufficient for speed into the furnace. It was only a + dogged determination not to be beaten that carried me + through.... But all will come out right at last. We are not + alone, though truly we deserve not his presence. He + encourages the trust that is granted by the word, 'I am with + you, even unto the end of the world.'... + + "It is impossible for you to conceive how backward everything + is here, and the Portuguese are not to be depended upon; + their establishments are only small penal settlements, and as + no women are sent out, the state of morals is frightful. The + only chance of success is away from them; nothing would + prosper in their vicinity. After all, I am convinced that + were Christianity not divine, it would be trampled out by its + professors. Dr. Kirk, Mr. C. Livingstone, and Mr. Rae, with + two English seamen, do well. We are now on our way up the + river to the Makololo country, but must go overland from + Kebrabasa, or in a whaler. We should be better able to plan + our course if our letters had not been lost. We have never + been idle, and do not mean to be. We have been trying to get + the Portuguese Government to acknowledge free-trade on this + river, and but for long delay in our letters the negotiation + might have been far advanced. I hope Lord John Russell will + help in this matter, and then we must have a small colony or + missionary and mercantile settlement. If this our desire is + granted, it is probable we shall have no cause to lament our + long toil and detention here. My wife's letters, too, were + lost, so I don't know how or where she is. Our separation, + and the work I have been engaged in, were not contemplated, + but they have led to our opening a path into the fine + cotton-field in the North. You will see that the discoveries + of Burton and Speke confirm mine respecting the form of the + continent and its fertility. It is an immense field. I crave + the honor of establishing a focus of Christianity in it, but + should it not be granted, I will submit as most unworthy. I + have written Mr. Venn twice, and from yours I see something + is contemplated in Cambridge.... If young men come to this + country, they must lay their account with doing everything + for themselves. They must not expect to find influence at + once, and all the countries near to the Portuguese have been + greatly depopulated. We are now ascending this river without + vegetables, and living on salt beef and pork. The slave-trade + has done its work, for formerly all kinds of provisions could + be procured at every point, and at the cheapest rate. We + cannot get anything for either love or money, in a country + the fertility of which is truly astonishing. + +A few more general topics are touched on in a letter to Mr. Braithwaite: + + "I am sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Sturge. He wrote me a + long letter on the 'Peace principle,' and before I could + study it carefully, it was mislaid. I wrote him from Tette, + as I did not wish him to suppose I neglected him, and + mentioned the murder of the six Makololo and other things, as + difficulties in the way of adopting his views, as they were + perfectly unarmed, and there was no feud between the tribes. + I fear that my letter may not have reached him alive. The + departure of Sir Fowell Buxton and others is very unexpected. + Sorry to see the loss of Dr. Bowen, of Sierra Leone--a good + man and a true. But there is One who ever liveth to make + intercession for us, and to carry on his own work. A terrible + war that was in Italy, and the peace engenders more uneasy + forebodings than any peace ever heard of. It is well that God + and not the devil reigns, and will bring his own purposes to + pass, right through the midst of the wars and passions of + men. Have you any knowledge of a famous despatch written by + Sir George Grey (late of the Cape), on the proper treatment + of native tribes? I wish to study it. + + "Tell your children that if I could get hold of a + hippopotamus I would eat it rather than allow it to eat me. + We see them often, but before we get near enough to get a + shot they dive down, and remain hidden till we are past. As + for lions, we never see them, sometimes hear a roar or two, + but that is all, and I go on the plan put forth by a little + girl in Scotland who saw a cow coming to her in a meadow, 'O + boo! boo! you no hurt me, I no hurt you.'" + +At Tette one of his occupations was to fit up a sugar-mill, the gift of +Miss Whately, of Dublin, and some friends. To that lady he writes a +long letter of nineteen pages. He tells her he had just put up her +beautiful sugar-mill, to show the natives what could be done by +machinery. Then he adverts to the wonderful freedom from sickness that +his party had enjoyed in the delta of the Zambesi, and proceeds to give +an account of the Shiré Valley and its people. He finds ground for a +favorable contrast between the Shiré natives and the Tette Portuguese: + + "They (the natives) have fences made to guard the women from + the alligators, all along the Shiré: at Tette they have none, + and two women were taken past our vessel in the mouths of + these horrid brutes. The number of women taken is so great as + to make the Portuguese swear every time they speak of them, + and yet, when I proposed to the priest to make a collection + for a fence, and offered twenty dollars, he only smiled. You + Protestants don't know all the good you do by keeping our + friends of the only true and infallible Church up to their + duty. Here, and in Angola, we see how it is, when they are + not provoked--if not to love, to good works.... + + "On telling the Makololo that the sugar-mill had been sent to + Sekelétu by a lady, who collected a sum among other ladies to + buy it, they replied, 'O na le pelu'--she has a heart. I was + very proud of it, and so were they. + + "... With reference to the future, I am trying to do what I + did before--obey the injunction, 'Commit thy way to the Lord, + trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.' And I hope + that He will make some use of me. My attention is now + directed specially to the fact that there is no country + better adapted for producing the raw materials of English + manufactures than this.... + + "See to what a length I have run. I have become palaverist. I + beg you to present my respectful salutation to the Archbishop + and Mrs. Whately, and should you meet any of the kind + contributors, say how thankful I am to them all." + +From Tette he writes to Sir Roderick Murchison, 7th February, 1860, +urging his plan for a steamer on Lake Nyassa: "If Government furnishes +the means, all right; if not, I shall spend my book-money on it. I don't +need to touch the children's fund, and mine could not be better spent. +People who are born rich sometimes become miserable from a fear of +becoming poor; but I have the advantage, you see, in not being afraid +to die poor. If I live, I must succeed in what I have undertaken; death +alone will put a stop to my efforts." + +A month after he writes to the same friend, from Kongone, 10th March, +1860, that he is sending Rae home for a vessel: + + "I tell Lord John Russell that he (Rae) may thereby do us + more service than he can now do in a worn-out steamer, with + 35 patches, covering at least 100 holes. I say to his + Lordship, that after we have, by patient investigation and + experiment, at the risk of life, rendered the fever not more + formidable than a common cold; found access, from a good + harbor on the coast, to the main stream; and discovered a + pathway into the magnificent Highland lake region, which + promises so fairly for our commerce in cotton, and for our + policy in suppressing the trade in slaves, I earnestly hope + that he will crown our efforts by securing our free passage + through those parts of the Zambesi and Shiré of which the + Portuguese make no use, and by enabling us to introduce + civilization in a manner which will extend the honor and + influence of the English name." + +In his communications with the Government at home, Livingstone never +failed to urge the importance of their securing the free navigation of +the Zambesi. The Portuguese on the river were now beginning to get an +inkling of his drift, and to feel indignant at any countenance he was +receiving from their own Government. + +Passing up the Zambesi with Charles Livingstone, Dr. Kirk, and such of +the Makololo as were willing to go home, Dr. Livingstone took a new look +at Kebrabasa, from a different point, still believing that in flood it +would allow a steamer to pass. Of his mode of traveling we have some +pleasant glimpses. He always tried to make progress more a pleasure than +a toil, and found that kindly consideration for the feelings even of +blacks, the pleasure of observing scenery and everything new, as one +moves on at an ordinary pace, and the participation in the most +delightful rest with his fellows, made traveling delightful. He was +gratified to find that he was as able for the fatigue as the natives. +Even the headman, who carried little more than he did himself, and +never, like him, hunted in the afternoon, was not equal to him. The +hunting was no small addition to the toil; the tired hunter was often +tempted to give it up, after bringing what would have been only +sufficient for the three whites, and leave the rest, thus sending "the +idle, ungrateful poor" supperless to bed. But this was not his way. The +blacks were thought of in hunting as well as the whites. "It is only by +continuance in well-doing," he says, "even to the length of what the +worldly-wise call weakness, that the conviction is produced anywhere, +that our motives are high enough to secure sincere respect." + +As they proceeded, some of his old acquaintances reappeared, notably +Mpende, who had given him such a threatening reception, but had now +learned that he belonged to a tribe "that loved the black man and did +not make slaves." A chief named Pangola appeared, at first tipsy and +talkative, demanding a rifle, and next morning, just as they were +beginning divine service, reappeared sober to press his request. Among +the Baenda-Pezi, or Go-Nakeds, whose only clothing is a coat of red +ochre, a noble specimen of the race appeared in full dress, consisting +of a long tobacco-pipe, and brought a handsome present. + +The country bore the usual traces of the results of African warfare. At +times a clever chief stands up, who brings large tracts under his +dominion; at his death his empire dissolves, and a fresh series of +desolating wars ensues. In one region which was once studded with +villages, they walked a whole week without meeting any one. A European +colony, he was sure, would be invaluable for constraining the tribes to +live in peace. "Thousands of industrious natives would gladly settle +round it, and engage in that peaceful pursuit of agriculture and trade +of which they are so fond, and, undistracted by wars and rumors of +wars, might listen to the purifying and ennobling truths of the gospel +of Jesus Christ." At Zumbo, the most picturesque site in the country, +they saw the ruins of Jesuit missions, reminding them that there men +once met to utter the magnificent words, "Thou art the King of Glory, O +Christ!" but without leaving one permanent trace of their labors in the +belief and worship of the people. + +Wherever they go, Dr. Livingstone has his eye on the trees and plants +and fruits of the region, with a view to commerce; while he is no less +interested to watch the treatment of fever, when cases occur, and +greatly gratified that Dr. Kirk, who had been trying a variety of +medicines on himself, made rapid recovery when he took Dr. Livingstone's +pills. He used to say if he had followed Morison, and set up as +pill-maker, he might have made his fortune. Passing through the Bazizulu +he had an escape from a rhinoceros, as remarkable though not quite as +romantic as his escape from the lion; the animal came dashing at him, +and suddenly, for some unknown reason, stopped when close to him, and +gave him time to escape, as if it had been struck by his color, and +doubtful if hunting a white man would be good sport. + +At a month's distance from Mosilikatse, they heard a report that the +missionaries had been there, that they had told the chief that it was +wrong to kill men, and that the chief had said he was born to kill +people, but would drop the practice--an interesting testimony to the +power of Mr. Moffat's words. Everywhere the Makololo proclaimed that +they were the friends of peace, and their course was like a triumphal +procession, the people of the villages loading them with presents. + +But a new revelation came to Dr. Livingstone. Though the Portuguese +Government had given public orders that he was to be aided in every +possible way, it was evident that private instructions had come, which, +unintentionally perhaps, certainly produced the opposite effects. The +Portuguese who were engaged in the slave-trade were far too much devoted +to it ever to encourage an enterprise that aimed at extirpating it. +Indeed, it became painfully apparent to Dr. Livingstone that the effect +of his opening up the Zambesi had been to afford the Portuguese traders +new facilities for conducting their unhallowed traffic; and had it not +been for his promise to bring back the Makololo, he would now have +abandoned the Zambesi and tried the Rovuma, as a way of reaching Nyassa. +His future endeavors in connection with the Rovuma receive their +explanation from this unwelcome discovery. The significance of the +discovery in other respects cannot fail to be seen. Hitherto Livingstone +had been on friendly terms with the Portuguese Government; he could be +so no longer. The remarkable kindness he had so often received from +Portuguese officers and traders made it a most painful trial to break +with the authorities. But there was no alternative. Livingstone's +courage was equal to the occasion, though he could not but see that his +new attitude to the Portuguese must give an altered aspect to his +Expedition, and create difficulties that might bring it to an end. + +A letter to Mr. James Young, dated 22d July, near Kalosi, gives a free +and familiar account of "what he was about": + + "This is July, 1860, and no letter from you except one + written a few months after we sailed in the year of grace + 1858. What you are doing I cannot divine. I am ready to + believe any mortal thing except that Louis Napoleon has taken + you away to make paraffin oil for the Tuileries. I don't + believe that he is supreme ruler, or that he can go an inch + beyond his tether. Well, as I cannot conceive what you are + about, I must tell you what we are doing, and we are just + trudging up the Zambesi as if there were no steam and no + locomotive but shank's nag yet discovered.... + + "We have heard of a mission for the Interior from the English + Universities, and this is the best news we have got since we + came to Africa. I have recommended up Shiré as a proper + sphere, and hasten back so as to be in the way if any + assistance can be rendered. I rejoice at the prospect with + all my heart, and am glad, too, that it is to be a Church of + England Mission, for that Church has never put forth its + strength, and I trust this may draw it forth. I am tired of + discovery when no fruit follows. It was refreshing to be able + to sit down every evening with the Makololo again, and tell + them of Him who came down from heaven to save sinners. The + unmerciful toil of the steamer prevented me from following my + bent as I should have done. Poor fellows! they have learnt no + good from their contact with slavery; many have imbibed the + slave spirit; many had married slave-women and got children. + These I did not expect to return, as they were captives of + Sekelétu, and were not his own proper people. All professed a + strong desire to return. To test them I proposed to burn + their village, but to this they would not assent. We then + went out a few miles and told them that any one wishing to + remain might do so without guilt. A few returned, but though + this was stated to them repeatedly afterward they preferred + running away like slaves. I never saw any of the interior + people so devoid of honor. Some complained of sickness, and + all these I sent back, intrusting them with their burdens. + About twenty-five returned in all to live at Tette. Some were + drawn away by promises made to them as elephant-hunters. I + had no objection to their trying to better their condition, + but was annoyed at finding that they would not tell their + intentions, but ran away as if I were using compulsion. I + have learned more of the degrading nature of slavery of late + than I ever conceived before. Our 20 millions were well spent + in ridding ourselves of the incubus, and I think we ought to + assist our countrymen in the West Indies to import free labor + from India.... I cannot tell you how glad I am at a prospect + of a better system being introduced into Eastern Africa than + that which has prevailed for ages, the evils of which have + only been intensified by Portuguese colonization, as it is + called. Here we are passing through a well-peopled, fruitful + region--a prolonged valley, for we have the highlands far on + our right. I did not observe before that all the banks of the + Zambesi are cotton-fields. I never intended to write a book + and take no note of cotton, which I now see everywhere. On + the Chongwe we found a species which is cultivated south of + the Zambesi, which resembles some kinds from South America. + + "All that is needed is religious and mercantile + establishments to begin a better system and promote peaceful + intercourse. Here we are among a people who go stark naked + with no more sense of shame than we have with our clothes on. + The women have more sense and go decently. You see great + he-animals all about your camp carrying their indispensable + tobacco-pipes and iron tongs to lift fire with, but the idea + of a fig-leaf has never entered the mind. They cultivate + largely have had enormous crops of grain, work well in iron, + and show taste in their dwellings, stools, baskets, and + musical instruments. They are very hospitable, too, and + appreciate our motives; but shame has been unaccountably left + out of the question. They can give no reason for it except + that all their ancestors went exactly as they do. Can you + explain why Adam's first feeling has no trace of existence in + his offspring?" + +When the party reached the outskirts of Sekelétu's territory the news +they heard was not encouraging. Some of the men heard that in their +absence some of their wives had been variously disposed of. One had been +killed for witchcraft, another had married again, while Masakasa was +told that two years ago a kind of wild Irish wake had been celebrated in +honor of his memory; the news made him resolve, when he presented +himself among them, to declare himself an inhabitant from another world! +One poor fellow's wail of anguish for his wife was most distressing +to hear. + +But far more tragical was the news of the missionaries who had gone from +the London Missionary Society to Linyanti, to labor among Sekelétu's +people. Mr. and Mrs. Helmore and several of his party had succumbed to +fever, and the survivors had retired. Dr. Livingstone was greatly +distressed, and not a little hurt, because he had not heard a word about +the mission, nor been asked advice about any of the arrangements. If +only the Helmores and their comrades had followed the treatment +practiced by him so often, and in this very valley at this time by his +brother Charles, they would probably have recovered. All spoke kindly of +Mr. Helmore, who had quite won the hearts of the people. Knowing their +language, he had at once begun to preach, and some of the young men at +Seshéke were singing the hymns he had taught them. Rumors had gone +abroad that some of the missionaries had been poisoned. In some quarters +blame was cast on Livingstone for having misled the Society as to the +character of Sekelétu and his disposition toward missionaries; but +Livingstone satisfied himself that, though the missionaries had been +neglected no foul play had taken place; fever alone had caused the +deaths, and want of skill in managing the people had brought the +remainder of the troubles. One piece of good news which he heard at +Linyanti was that his old friend Sechéle was doing well. He had a +Hanoverian missionary, nine tribes were under him, and the schools were +numerously attended. + +Writing to Dr. Moffat, 10th August, 1860, from Zambesi Falls, he says: + + "With great sorrow we learned the death of our much-esteemed + friends, Mr. and Mrs. Helmore, two days ago. We were too late + to be of any service, for the younger missionaries had + retired, probably dispirited by the loss of their leader. It + is evident that the fever when untreated is as fatal now as + it proved in the case of Commodore Owen's officers in this + river, or in the great Niger Expedition. And yet what poor + drivel was poured forth when I adopted energetic measures for + speedily removing any Europeans out of the Delta. We were not + then aware that the remedy which was first found efficacious + in our own little Thomas on Lake 'Ngami, in 1850, and that + cured myself and attendants during my solitary journeyings, + was a certain cure for the disease, without loss of strength + in Europeans generally. This we now know by ample experience + to be the case. Warburg's drops, which have a great + reputation in India, here cause profuse perspiration only, + and the fever remains uncured. With our remedy, of which we + make no secret, a man utterly prostrated is roused to resume + his march next day. I have sent the prescription to John, as + I doubt being able to go so far South as Mosilikatse's. + +Again the grand Victoria Falls are reached, and Charles Livingstone, who +has seen Niagara, gives the preference to Mosi-oa-tunya. By the route +which they took, they would have passed the Falls at twenty miles' +distance, but Dr. Livingstone could not resist the temptation to show +them to his companions. All his former computations as to their size +were found to be considerably within the mark; instead of a thousand +yards broad they were more than eighteen hundred, and whereas he had +said that the height of fall was about 100 feet, it turned out to be +310. His habit of keeping within the mark in all his statements of +remarkable things was thus exemplified. + +On coming among his old friends the Makololo, he found them in low +spirits owing to protracted drought, and Sekelétu was ill of leprosy. He +was in the hands of a native doctress, who was persuaded to suspend her +treatment, and the lunar caustic applied by Drs. Livingstone and Kirk +had excellent effects[60]. On going to Linyanti, Dr. Livingstone found +the wagon and other articles which he had left there in 1853, safe and +sound, except from the effects of weather and the white ants. The +expressions of kindness and confidence toward him on the part of the +natives greatly touched him. The people were much disappointed at not +seeing Mrs. Livingstone and the children. But this confidence was the +result of his way of dealing with them. "It ought never to be forgotten +that influence among the heathen can be acquired only by patient +continuance in well-doing, and that good manners are as necessary among +barbarians as among the civilized." The Makololo were the most +interesting tribe that Dr. Livingstone had ever seen. While now with +them he was unwearied in his efforts for their spiritual good. In his +Journal we find these entries: + +[Footnote 60: In 1864, while residing at Newstead Abbey, and writing his +book, _The Zambesi and its Tributaries_, Dr. Livingstone heard of the +death of Sekelétu.] + + "_September_ 2, 1860.--On Sunday evening went over to the + people, giving a general summary of Christian faith by the + life of Christ. Asked them to speak about it afterward. + Replied that these things were above them--they could not + answer me. I said if I spoke of camels and buffaloes tamed, + they understood, though they had never seen them; why not + perceive the story of Christ, the witnesses to which refused + to deny it, though killed for maintaining it? Went on to + speak of the resurrection. All were listening eagerly to the + statements about this, especially when they heard that they, + too, must rise and be judged. Lerimo said, 'This I won't + believe.' 'Well, the guilt lies between you and Jesus,' This + always arrests attention. Spoke of blood shed by them; the + conversation continued till they said, 'It was time for me to + cross, for the river was dangerous at night.'" + + "_September_ 9.--Spoke to the people on the north side of + the river--wind prevented evening service on the south." + +The last subject on which he preached before leaving them on this +occasion was the great resurrection. They told him they could not +believe a reunion of the particles of the body possible. Dr. Livingstone +gave them in reply a chemical illustration, and then referred to the +authority of the Book that taught them the doctrine. And the poor people +were more willing to give in to the authority of the Book than to the +chemical illustration! + +In _The Zambesi and its Tributaries_ this journey to the Makololo +country and back occupies one-third of the volume, though it did not +lead to any very special results. But it enabled Dr. Livingstone to make +great additions to his knowledge both of the people and the country. His +observations are recorded with the utmost care, for though he might not +be able to turn them to immediate use, it was likely, and even certain, +that they would be useful some day. Indeed, the spirit of faith is +apparent in the whole narrative, as if he could not pass over even the +most insignificant details. The fish in the rivers, the wild animals in +the woods, the fissures in the rocks, the course of the streams, the +composition of the minerals and gravels, and a thousand other phenomena, +are carefully observed and chronicled. The crowned cranes beginning to +pair, the flocks of spurwinged geese, the habits of the ostrich, the +nests of bee-eaters, pass under review in rapid succession. His sphere +of observation ranges from the structure of the great continent itself +to the serrated bone of the konokono, or the mandible of the ant. + +Leaving Seshéke on the 17th September, they reached Tette on the 23d +November, 1860, whence they started for Kongone with the unfortunate +"Ma-Robert." But the days of that asthmatic old lady were numbered. On +the 21st December she grounded on a sand-bank, and could not get off. A +few days before this catastrophe Livingstone writes to Mr. Young: + + "_Lupata, 4th Dec_., 1860.--Many thanks for all you have been + doing about the steamer and everything else. You seem to have + gone about matters in a most business-like manner, and once + for all I assure you I am deeply grateful. + + "We are now on our way down to the sea, in hopes of meeting + the new steamer for which you and other friends exerted + yourselves so zealously. We are in the old 'Asthmatic,' + though we gave her up before leaving in May last. Our + engineer has been doctoring her bottom with fat and patches, + and pronounced it safe to go down the river by dropping + slowly. Every day a new leak bursts out, and he is in + plastering and scoring, the pump going constantly. I would + not have ventured again, but our whaler is as bad,--all eaten + by the teredo,--so I thought it as well to take both, and + stick to that which swims longest. You can put your thumb + through either of them; they never can move again; I never + expected to find either afloat, but the engineer had nothing + else to do, and it saves us from buying dear canoes from the + Portuguese. + + "_20th Dec._--One day, above Senna, the 'Ma-Robert' stuck on + a sand-bank and filled, so we had to go ashore and leave + her." + +The correspondence of this year indicates a growing delight at the +prospect of the Universities Mission. It was this, indeed, mainly that +kept up his spirits under the depression caused by the failure of the +"Ma-Robert," and other mishaps of the Expedition, the endless delays and +worries that had resulted from that cause, and the manner in which both +the Portuguese and the French were counter-working him by encouraging +the slave-trade. While professedly encouraging emigration, the French +were really extending slavery. + +Here is his lively account of himself to his friend Mr. Moore: + + "TETTE, _28th November_, 1860. + + "MY DEAR MOORE,--And why didn't you begin when you were so + often on the point of writing, but didn't? This that you have + accomplished is so far good, but very short. Hope you are not + too old to learn. You have heard of our hindrances and + annoyances, and, possibly, that we have done some work + notwithstanding. Thanks to Providence, we have made some + progress, and it is likely our operations will yet have a + decided effect on slave-trading in Eastern Africa. I am + greatly delighted with the prospect of a Church of England + mission to Central Africa. That is a good omen for those who + are sitting in darkness, and I trust that in process of time + great benefits will be conferred on our own overcrowded + population at home. There is room enough and to spare in the + fair world our Father has prepared for all his progeny. I + pray to be made a harbinger of good to many, both white + and black. + + "I like to hear that some abuse me now, and say that I am *no + Christian. Many good things were said of me which I did not + deserve, and I feared to read them. I shall read every word I + can on the other side, and that will prove a sedative to what + I was forced to hear of an opposite tendency. I pray that He + who has lifted me up and guided me thus far, will not desert + me now, but make me useful in my day and generation. 'I will + never leave thee nor forsake thee.' So let it be. + + "I saw poor Helmore's grave lately. Had my book been searched + for excellencies, they might have seen a certain cure for + African fever. We were curing it at a lower and worse part of + the river at the very time that they were helplessly + perishing, and so quickly, that more than a day was never + lost after the operation of the remedy, though we were + marching on foot. Our tramp was over 600 miles. We dropped + down stream again in canoes from Sinamanero to + Chicova--thence to this on shank's nag. We go down to the sea + immediately, to meet our new steamer. Our punt was a sham + and a snare. + + "My love to Mary and all the children, with all our friends + at Congleton." + +In a letter to Mr. James Young, Dr. Livingstone gives good reasons for +not wishing to push the colonization scheme at present, as he had +recommended to the Universities Mission to add a similar enterprise to +their undertaking: + + "If you read all I have written you by this mail, you will + deserve to be called a literary character. I find that I did + not touch on the colonization scheme. I have not changed in + respect to it, but the Oxford and Cambridge mission have + taken the matter up, and as I shall do all I can to aid them, + a little delay will, perhaps, be advisable. + + "We are waiting for our steamer, and expect her every day; + our first trip is a secret, and you will keep it so. We go to + the Rovuma, a river exterior to the Portuguese claims, as + soon as the vessel arrives. Captain Oldfield of the 'Lyra' is + sent already, to explore, as far as he can, in that ship. The + entrance is fine, and forty-five miles are known, but we keep + our movements secret from the Portuguese--and so must you; + they seize everything they see in the newspapers. Who are my + imprudent friends that publish everything? I suspect Mr. + ----, of ----, but no one gives me a name or a clue. Some + expected me to feel sweet at being jewed by a false + philanthropist, and bamboozled by a silly R. N. I did not, + and could not, seem so; but I shall be more careful + in future. + + "Again back to the colony. It is not to sleep, but + preparation must be made by collecting information, and + maturing our plans. I shall be able to give definite + instructions as soon as I see how the other mission works--at + its beginning--and when we see if the new route we may + discover has a better path to Nyassa than by Shiré--we shall + choose the best, of course, and let you know as soon as + possible. I think the Government will not hold back if we + have a feasible plan to offer. I have recommended to the + Universities Mission a little delay till we explore,--and for + a working staff, two gardeners acquainted with farming; two + country carpenters, capable of erecting sheds and any rough + work; two traders to purchase and prepare cotton for + exportation; one general steward of mission goods, his wife + to be a good plain cook; one medical man, having knowledge of + chemistry enough to regulate _indigo_ and sugar-making. All + the attendants to be married, and their wives to be employed + in sewing, washing, attending the sick, etc., as need + requires. The missionaries not to think themselves deserving + a good English wife till they have erected a comfortable + abode for her." + +In the Royal Geographical Society this year (1860), certain +communications were read which tended to call in question Livingstone's +right to some of the discoveries he had claimed as his own. Mr. +Macqueen, through whom these communications came, must have had peculiar +notions of discovery, for some time before, there had appeared in the +Cape papers a statement of his, that Lake 'Ngami of 1859 was no new +discovery, as Dr. Livingstone had visited it seven years before; and +Livingstone had to write to the papers in favor of the claims of Murray, +Oswell, and Livingstone, against himself! It had been asserted to the +Society by Mr. Macqueen, that Silva Porto, a Portuguese trader, had +shown him a journal describing a journey of his from Benguela on the +west to Ibo and Mozambique on the east, beginning November 26, 1852, and +terminating August, 1854. Of that journal Mr. Macqueen read a copious +abstract to the Society (June 27, 1859), which is published in the +Journal for 1860. + +In a letter to Sir Roderick Murchison (20th February, 1861), +Livingstone, while exonerating Mr. Macqueen of all intention of +misleading, gives his reasons for doubting whether the journey to the +East Coast ever took place. He had met Porto at Linyanti in 1853, and +subsequently at Naliele, the Barotse capital, and had been told by him +that he had tried to go eastward, but had been obliged to turn, and was +then going westward, and wished him to accompany him, which he declined, +as he was a slave-trader; he had read his journal as it appeared in the +Loanda "Boletim," but there was not a word in it of a journey to the +East Coast; when the Portuguese minister had wished to find a rival to +Dr. Livingstone, he had brought forward, not Porto, as he would +naturally have done if this had been a genuine journey, but two black +men who came to Tette in 1815; in the Boletim of Mozambique there was no +word of the arrival of Porto there; in short, the part of the journal +founded on could not have been authentic. Livingstone felt keenly on the +subject of these rumors, not on his own account, but on account of the +Geographical Society and of Sir Roderick who had introduced him to it; +for nothing could have given him more pain than that either of these +should have had any slur thrown on them through him, or even been placed +for a time in an uncomfortable position. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +ROVUMA AND NYASSA--UNIVERSITIES MISSION. + +A.D. 1861-1862. + +Beginning of 1861--Arrival of the "Pioneer"--and of the agents of +Universities Mission--Cordial welcome--Livingstone's catholic +feelings--Ordered to explore the Rovuma--Bishop Mackenzie goes with +him--Returns to the Shiré--Turning-point of prosperity past--Difficult +navigation--The slave-sticks--Bishop settles at Magomero--Hostilities +between Manganja and Ajawa--Attack of Mission party by +Ajawa--Livingstone's advice to Bishop regarding them--Letter to his son +Robert--Livingstone, Kirk, and Charles start for Lake Nyassa--Party +robbed at north of Lake--Dismal activity of the slave-trade--Awful +mortality in the process--Livingstone's fondness for _Punch_--Letter to +Mr. Young--Joy at departure of new steamer "Lady Nyassa"--Colonization +project--Letter against it from Sir R. Murchison--Hears of Dr. Stewart +coming out from Free Church of Scotland--Visit at the ship from Bishop +Mackenzie--News of defeat of Ajawa by missionaries--Anxiety of +Livingstone--Arrangements for "Pioneer" to go to Kongone for new steamer +and friends from home, then go to Ruo to meet Bishop--"Pioneer" +detained--Dr. Livingstone's anxieties and depressions at New +Year--"Pioneer" misses man-of-war "Gorgon"--At length "Gorgon" appears +with brig from England and "Lady Nyassa"--Mrs. Livingstone and other +ladies on board--Livingstone's meeting with his wife, and with Dr. +Stewart--Stewart's recollections--Difficulties of navigation--Captain +Wilson of "Gorgon" goes up river and hears of death of Bishop Mackenzie +and Mr. Burrup--Great distress--Misrepresentations about Universities +Mission--Miss Mackenzie and Mr. Burrup taken to "Gorgon"--Dr. and Mrs. +Livingstone return to Shupanga--Illness and death of Mrs. +Livingstone--Extracts from Livingstone's Journal and letters to the +Moffats, Agnes, and the Murchisons. + + +The beginning of 1861 brought some new features on the scene. The new +steamer, the "Pioneer," at last arrived, and was a great improvement on +the "Ma-Robert," though unfortunately she had too great draught of +water. The agents of the Universities Missions also arrived, the first, +detachment consisting of Bishop Mackenzie and five other Englishmen, +and five colored men from the Cape. Writing familiarly to his friend +Moore, _àpropos_ of his new comrades of the Church Mission, Livingstone +says: "I have never felt anyway inclined to turn Churchman or dissenter +either since I came out here. The feelings which we have toward +different sects alter out here quite insensibly, till one looks upon all +godly men as good and true brethren. I rejoiced when I heard that so +many good and great men in the Universities had turned their thoughts +toward Africa, and feeling sure that He who had touched their hearts +would lead them to promote his own glory, I welcomed the men they sent +with a hearty, unfeigned welcome." + +To his friend Mr. Maclear he wrote that he was very glad the Mission was +to be under a bishop. He had seen so much idleness and folly result from +missionaries being left to themselves, that it was a very great +satisfaction to find that the new mission was to be superintended by one +authorized and qualified to take the charge. Afterward when he came to +know Bishop Mackenzie, he wrote of him to Mr. Maclear in the highest +terms: "The Bishop is A 1, and in his readiness to put his hand to +anything resembles much my good father-in-law Moffat." + +It is not often that missions are over-manned, but in the first stage of +such an undertaking as this, so large a body of men was an incumbrance, +none of them knowing a word of the language or a bit of the way. It was +Bishop Mackenzie's desire that Dr. Livingstone should accompany him at +once to the scene of his future labors and help him to settle. But +besides other reasons, the "Pioneer," as already stated, was under +orders to explore the Rovuma, and, as the Portuguese put so many +obstacles in the way on the Zambesi, to ascertain whether that river +might not afford access to the Nyassa district. It was at last arranged +that the Bishop should first go with the Doctor to the Rovuma, and +thereafter they should all go together to the Shiré. In waiting for +Bishop Mackenzie to accompany him, Dr. Livingstone lost the most +favorable part of the season, and found that he could not get with the +"Pioneer" to the top of the Rovuma. He might have left the ship and +pushed forward on foot; but, not to delay Bishop Mackenzie, he left the +Rovuma in the meantime, intending, after making arrangements with the +Bishop, to go to Nyassa, to find the point where the Rovuma left the +lake, if there were such a point, or, if not, get into its headwaters +and explore it downward. + +Dr. Livingstone, as we have seen, welcomed the Mission right cordially, +for indeed it was what he had been most eagerly praying for, and he +believed that it would be the beginning of all blessing to Eastern and +Central Africa, and help to assimilate the condition of the East Coast +to that of the West The field for the cultivation of cotton which he had +discovered along the Shiré and Lake Nyassa was immense, above 400 miles +in length, and now it seemed as if commerce and Christianity were going +to take possession of it. But it was found that the turning-point of +prosperity had been reached, and it was his lot to encounter dark +reverses. The navigation of the Shiré was difficult, for the "Pioneer" +being deep in the water would often run aground. On these occasions the +Bishop, Mr. Scudamore, and Mr. Waller, the best and the bravest of the +missionary party, were ever ready with their help in hauling. +Livingstone was sometimes scandalized to see the Bishop toiling in the +hot sun, while some of his subordinates were reading or writing in the +cabin. As they proceeded up the Shiré it was seen that the promises of +assistance from the Portuguese Government were worse than fruitless. +Evidently the Portuguese traders were pushing the slave-trade with +greater eagerness than ever. Slave-hunting chiefs were marauding the +country, driving peaceful inhabitants before them, destroying their +crops, seizing on all the people they could lay hands on, and selling +them as slaves. The contrast to what Livingstone had seen on his last +journey was lamentable. All their prospects were overcast. How could +commerce or Christianity flourish in countries desolated by war? + +Every reader of _The Zambesi and its Tributaries_ remembers the +frightful picture of the slave-sticks, and the row of men, women, and +children whom Livingstone and his companions set free. Nothing helped +more than this picture to rouse in English bosoms an intense horror of +the trade, and a burning sympathy with Livingstone and his friends. +Livingstone and the Bishop, with his party, had gone up the Shiré to +Chibisa's, and were halting at the village of Mbame, when a slave party +came along. The flight of the drivers, the liberation of eighty-four men +and women, and their reception by the good Bishop under his charge, +speedily followed. The aggressors were the neighboring warlike tribe of +Ajawa, and their victims were the Manganja, the inhabitants of the Shiré +Valley. The Bishop accepted the invitation of Chigunda, a Manganja +chief, to settle at Magomero. It was thought, however, desirable for the +Bishop and Livingstone first to visit the Ajawa chief, and try to turn +him from his murderous ways. The road was frightful--through burning +villages resounding with the wailings of women and the shouts of the +warriors. The Ajawa received the offered visit in a hostile spirit, and +the shout being raised that Chibisa had come--powerful chief with the +reputation of being a sorcerer--they fired on the Bishop's party and +compelled them, in self-defense, to fire in return. It was the first +time that Livingstone had ever been so attacked by natives, often though +they had threatened him. It was the first time he had had to repel an +attack with violence; so little was he thinking of such a thing that he +had not his rifle with him, and was obliged to borrow a revolver. The +encounter was hot and serious, but it ended in the Ajawa being driven +off without loss on the other side. + +It now became a question for the Bishop in what relation he and his +party were to stand to these murderous and marauding Ajawa--whether they +should quietly witness their onslaughts or drive them from the country +and rescue the captive Manganja. Livingstone's advice to them was to be +patient, and to avoid taking part in the quarrels of the natives. He +then left them at Magomero, and returned to his companions on the Shiré. +For a time the Bishop's party followed Livingstone's advice, but +circumstances afterward occurred which constrained them to take a +different course, and led to very serious results in the history of +the Mission. + +Writing to his son Robert, Livingstone thus describes the attack made by +the Ajawa on him, the Bishop, and the missionaries: + + "The slave-hunters had induced a number of another tribe to + capture people for them. We came to this tribe while burning + three villages, and though we told them that we came + peaceably, and to talk with them, they saw that we were a + small party, and might easily be overcome, rushed at us and + shot their poisoned arrows. One fell between the Bishop and + me, and another whizzed between another man and me. We had to + drive them off, and they left that part of the country. + Before going near them the Bishop engaged in prayer, and + during the prayer we could hear the wail for the dead by some + Manganja probably thought not worth killing, and the shouts + of welcome home to these bloody murderers. It turned out that + they were only some sixty or seventy robbers, and not the + Ajawa tribe; so we had a narrow escape from being murdered. + + "How are you doing? I fear from what I have observed of your + temperament that you will have to strive against fickleness. + Every one has his besetting fault--that is no disgrace to + him, but it is a disgrace if he do not find it out, and by + God's grace overcome it. I am not near to advise you what to + do, but whatever line of life you choose, resolve to stick to + it, and serve God therein to the last. Whatever failings you + are conscious of, tell them to your heavenly Father; strive + daily to master them and confess all to Him when conscious of + having gone astray. And may the good Lord of all impart all + the strength you need. Commit your way unto the Lord; trust + also in Him. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will + bless you." + +Leaving the "Pioneer" at Chibisa's, on 6th August, 1861, Livingstone, +accompanied by his brother and Dr. Kirk, started for Nyassa with a +four-oared boat, which was carried by porters past the Murchison +Cataracts. On 23d September they sailed into Lake Nyassa, naming the +grand mountainous promontory at the end Cape Maclear, after +Livingstone's great friend the Astronomer-Royal at the Cape. + +All about the lake was now examined with earnest eyes. The population +was denser than he had seen anywhere else. The people were civil, and +even friendly, but undoubtedly they were not handsome. At the north of +the lake they were lawless, and at one point the party were robbed in +the night--the first time such a thing had occurred in Livingstone's +African life[61]. Of elephants there was a great abundance,--indeed of +all animal and vegetable life. + +[Footnote 61: In _The Zambesi and its Tributaries_, Livingstone gives a +grave account of the robbery. In his letters to his friends he makes fun +of it, as he did of the raid of the Boers. To Mr. F. Fitch he writes: +"You think I cannot get into a scrape.... For the first time in Africa +we were robbed. Expert thieves crept into our sleeping-places, about +four o'clock in the morning, and made off with what they could lay their +hands on. Sheer over-modesty ruined me. It was Sunday, and such a black +mass swarmed around our sail, which we used as a hut, that we could not +hear prayers. I had before slipped away a quarter of a mile to dress for +church, but seeing a crowd of women watching me through the reeds, I did +not change my old 'unmentionables,'--they were so old, I had serious +thoughts of converting them into--charity! Next morning nearly all our +spare clothing was walked off with, and there I was left by my modesty +nearly through at the knees, and no change of shirt, flannel, or +stockings. After that, don't say that I can't get into a scrape!" The +same letter thanks Mr. Fitch for sending him _Punch_, whom he deemed a +sound divine! On the same subject he wrote at another time, regretting +that _Punch_ did not reach him, especially a number in which notice was +taken of himself. "It never came. Who the miscreants are that steal them +I cannot divine, I would not grudge them a reading if they would only +send them on afterward. Perhaps binding the whole year's _Punches_ would +be the best plan; and then we need not label it 'Sermons in Lent,' or +'Tracts on Homoeopathy,' but you may write inside, as Dr. Buckland did +on his umbrella, 'Stolen from Dr. Livingstone.' We really enjoy them +very much. They are good against fever. The 'Essence of Parliament,' for +instance, is capital. One has to wade through an ocean of paper to get +the same information, without any of the fun. And by the time the +newspapers have reached us, most of the interest in public matters has +evaporated."] + +But the lake slave-trade was going on at a dismal rate. An Arab dhow was +seen on the lake, but it kept well out of the way. Dr. Livingstone was +informed by Colonel Rigdy, late British Consul at Zanzibar, that 19,000 +slaves from this Nyassa region alone passed annually through the +custom-house there. This was besides those landed at Portuguese slave +ports. In addition to those captured, thousands were killed or died of +their wounds or of famine, or perished in other ways, so that not +one-fifth of the victims became slaves--in the Nyassa district probably +not one-tenth. A small armed steamer on the lake might stop nearly the +whole of this wholesale robbery and murder. + +Their stock of goods being exhausted, and no provisions being +procurable, the party had to return at the end of October. They had to +abandon the project of getting from the lake to the Rovuma, and +exploring eastward. They reached the ship on 8th November, 1861, having +suffered more from hunger than on any previous trip. + +In writing to his friend Young, 28th November, 1861, Livingstone +expresses his joy at the news of the departure of the "Lady Nyassa;" +gives him an account of the lake, and of a terrific storm in which they +were nearly lost; describes the inhabitants, and the terrible +slave-trade--the only trade that was carried on in the district. It will +take them the best part of a year to put the ship on the lake, but it +will be such a blessing! He hopes the Government will pay for it, once +it is there. + +The colonization project had not commended itself to Sir R. Murchison. +He had written of it sometime before: "Your colonization scheme does not +meet with supporters, it being thought that you must have much more hold +on the country before you attract Scotch families to emigrate and settle +there, and then die off, or become a burden to you and all concerned, +like the settlers of old at Darien." It was with much satisfaction that +Livingstone now wrote to his friend (25th November, 1861): "A Dr. +Stewart is sent out by the Free Church of Scotland to confer with me +about a Scotch Colony. You will guess my answer. Dr. Kirk is with me in +opinion, and if I could only get you out to take a trip up to the +plateau of Zomba, and over the uplands which surround Lake Nyassa, you +would give in too." + +When the party returned to the ship they had a visit from Bishop +Mackenzie, who was in good spirits and had excellent hopes of the +Mission. The Ajawa had been defeated, and had professed a desire to be +at peace with the English. But Dr. Livingstone was not without +misgivings on this point. The details of the defeat of the Ajawa, in +which the missionaries had taken an active part, troubled him, as we +find from his private Journal. "The Bishop," he says (14th of November), +"takes a totally different view of the affair from what I do." There +were other points on which the utter inexperience of the missionaries, +and want of skill in dealing with the natives, gave him serious anxiety. +It is impossible not to see that even thus early, the Mission, in +Livingstone's eyes, had lost something of its bloom. + +It was arranged that the "Pioneer" should go down to the mouth of the +Zambesi, to meet a man-of-war with provisions, and bring up the pieces +of the new lake vessel, the "Lady Nyassa," which was eagerly expected, +along with Mrs. Livingstone, Miss Mackenzie, the Bishop's sister, and +other members of the Mission party. An appointment was made for January +at the mouth of the river Ruo, a tributary of the Shiré, where the +Bishop was to meet them. He and Mr. Burrup, who had just arrived, were +meanwhile to explore the neighboring country. + +The "Pioneer" was detained for five weeks on a shoal twenty miles below +Chibisa's, and here the first death occurred--the carpenter's mate +succumbed to fever. It was extremely irksome to suffer this long +detention, to think of fuel and provisions wasting, and salaries running +on, without one particle of progress. Livingstone was sensitive and +anxious. He speaks in his Journal of the difficulty of feeling resigned +to the Divine will in all things, and of believing that all things work +together for good to those that love God, He seems to have been troubled +at what had been said in some quarters of his treatment of members of +the Expedition. In private letters, in the Cape papers, in the home +papers, unfavorable representations of his conduct had been made. In one +case, a prosecution at law had been threatened. On New Year's Day, 1862, +he entered in his Journal an elaborate minute, as if for future use, +bearing on the conduct of the Expedition. He refers to the difficulty to +which civil expeditions are exposed, as compared with naval and +military, in the matter of discipline, owing to the inferior authority +and power of the chief. In the countries visited there is no enlightened +public opinion to support the commander, and newspapers at home are but +too ready to believe in his tyranny, and make themselves the champions +of any dawdling fellow who would fain be counted a victim of his +despotism. He enumerates the chief troubles to which his Expedition had +been exposed from such causes. Then he explains how, at the beginning, +to prevent collision, he had made every man independent in his own +department, wishing only, for himself, to be the means of making known +to the world what each man had done. His conclusion is a sad one, but it +explains why in his last journeys he went alone: he is convinced that if +he had been by himself he would have accomplished more, and undoubtedly +he would have received more of the approbation of his countrymen[62]. + +[Footnote 62: Notwithstanding this expression of feeling, Dr. +Livingstone was very sincere in his handsome acknowledgments, in the +Introduction to _The Zambesi and its Tributaries_, of valuable services, +especially from the members of the Expedition there named.] + +At length the "Pioneer" was got off the bank, and on the 11th January, +1862, they entered the Zambesi. They prided to the great Luabo mouth, as +being more advantageous than the Kongone for a supply of wood. They were +a month behind their appointment, and no ship was to be seen. The ship +had been there, it turned out, on the 8th January, had looked eagerly +for the "Pioneer," had fancied it saw the black funnel and its smoke in +the river, and being disappointed had made for Mozambique, been caught +in a gale, and was unable to return for three weeks. Livingstone's +letters show him a little out of sorts at the manifold obstructions that +had always been making him "too late"--"too late for Rovuma below, too +late for Rovuma above, and now too late for our own appointment," but in +greater trouble because the "Lady Nyassa" had not been sent by sea, as +he had strongly urged, and as it afterward appeared might have been done +quite well. To take out the pieces and fit them up would involve heavy +expense and long delay, and perhaps the season would be lost again. But +Livingstone had always a saving clause, in all his lamentations, and +here it is: "I know that all was done for the best." + +At length, on the last day of January, H.M.S. "Gorgon," with a brig in +tow, hove in sight. When the "Pioneer" was seen, up went the signal from +the "Gorgon"--"I have steamboat in the brig"; to which Livingstone +replied--"Welcome news." Then "Wife aboard" was signaled from the ship. +"Accept my best thanks" concluded what Livingstone called "the most +interesting conversation he had engaged in for many a day." Next morning +the "Pioneer" steamed out, and Dr. Livingstone found his wife "all +right." In the same ship with Mrs. Livingstone, besides Miss Mackenzie +and Mrs. Burrup, the Rev. E. Hawkins and others of the Universities +Mission, had come the Rev. James Stewart, of the Free Church of Scotland +(now Dr. Stewart, of Lovedale, South Africa), who had been sent out by +a committee of that Church, "to meet with Dr. Livingstone, and obtain, +by personal observation and otherwise, the information that might be +necessary to enable a committee at home to form a correct judgment as to +the possibility of founding a mission in that part of Africa." It +happened that some time before Mr. Stewart had been tutor to Thomas +Livingstone, while studying in Glasgow; this drew his sympathies to +Livingstone and Africa, and was another link in that wonderful chain +which Providence was making for the good of Africa. From Dr. Stewart's +"Recollections of Dr. Livingstone and the Zambesi" in the _Sunday +Magazine_ (November, 1874), we get the picture from the other side. +First, the sad disappointment of Mrs. Livingstone on the 8th January, +when no "Pioneer" was to be found, with the anxious speculations raised +in its absence as to the cause. Then a frightful tornado on the way to +Mozambique, and the all but miraculous escape of the brig. Then the +return to the Zambesi in company with H.M.S. "Gorgon," and on the 1st of +February, in a lovely morning, the little cloud of smoke rising close to +land, and afterward the white hull of a small paddle steamer making +straight for the two ships outside. + + "As the vessel approached," says Dr. Stewart, "I could make + out with a glass a firmly built man of about the middle + height, standing on the port paddle-box, and directing the + ship's course. He was not exactly dressed as a naval officer, + but he wore that gold-laced cap which has since become so + well known both at home and in Africa. This was Dr. + Livingstone, and I said to his wife, 'There he is at last.' + She looked brighter at this announcement than I had seen her + do any day for seven months before." + +Through the help of the men of the "Gorgon," the sections of the "Lady +Nyassa" were speedily put on board the "Pioneer," and on the 10th +February the vessel steamed off for the mouth of the Ruo, to meet the +Bishop. But its progress through the river was miserable. Says +Dr. Stewart: + + "For ten days we were chiefly occupied in sailing or hauling + the ship through sand-banks. The steamer was drawing between + five and six feet of water, and though there were long + reaches in the river with depth sufficient for a ship of + larger draught, yet every now and then we found ourselves in + shoal water of about three feet. No sooner was the boat got + off one bank by might and main, and steady hauling on capstan + and anchor laid out ahead, almost never astern, and we got a + few miles of fair steering, than again we heard that sound, + abhorred by all of us--a slight bump of the bow, and rush of + sand along the ship's side, and we were again fast for a few + hours, or a day or two, as the case might be." + +The "Pioneer" was overladen, and the plan had to be changed. It was +resolved to put the "Lady Nyassa" together at Shupanga, and tow her up +to the Rapids. + + "The detention," says Dr. Stewart, "was very trying to Dr. + Livingstone, as it meant not a few weeks, but the loss of a + year, inasmuch as by the time the ship was ready to be + launched the river would be nearly at its lowest, and there + would be no resource but to wait for the next rainy season. + Yet, in the face of discouragement, he maintained his + cheerfulness, and, after sunset, still enjoyed many an hour + of prolonged talk about current events at home, about his old + College days in Glasgow, and about many of those who were + unknown men then, but have since made their mark in life in + the different paths they have taken. Amongst others his old + friend Mr. Young, of Kelly, or Sir Paraffin, as he used + subsequently to call him, came in for a large share of the + conversation." + +Meanwhile Captain Wilson (of the "Gorgon"), accompanied by Dr. Kirk and +others, had gone on in boats with Miss Mackenzie and Mrs. Burrup, and +learned the sad fate of the Bishop and Mr. Burrup. It appeared that the +Bishop, accompanied by the Makololo, had gone forth on an expedition to +rescue the captive husbands of some of the Manganja women, and had been +successful. But as the Bishop was trying to get to the mouth of the Ruo, +his canoe was upset, his medicines and cordials were lost, and, being +seized with fever, after languishing for some time, he died in +distressing circumstances, on the 31st January, Mr. Burrup, who was with +him, and who was also stricken, was carried back to Magomero, and died +in a few days. + +Captain Wilson, who had himself been prostrated by fever, and made a +narrow escape, returned with this sad news, three weeks after he had +left Shupanga, bringing the two broken-hearted ladies, who had expected +to be welcomed, the one by her brother, the other by her husband. It was +a great blow to Livingstone. + + "It was difficult to say," writes Dr. Stewart, "whether he or + the unhappy ladies, on whom the blow fell with the most + personal weight, were most to be pitied. He felt the + responsibility, and saw the wide-spread dismay which the news + would occasion when it reached England, and at the very time + when the Mission most needed support. 'This will hurt us + all,' he said, as he sat resting his head on his hand, on the + table of the dimly-lighted little cabin of the 'Pioneer,' His + esteem for Bishop Mackenzie was afterward expressed in this + way: 'For unselfish goodness of heart and earnest devotion to + the work he had undertaken, it can safely be said that none + of the commendations of his friends can exceed the reality,' + He did what he could, I believe, to comfort those who were so + unexpectedly bereaved; but the night he spent must have been + an uneasy one." + +Livingstone says in his book that the unfavorable judgment which he had +formed of the Bishop's conduct in fighting with the Ajawa was somewhat +modified by a natural instinct, when he saw how keenly the Bishop was +run down for it in England, and reflected more on the circumstances, and +thought how excellent a man he was. Sometimes he even said that, had he +been there, he would probably have done what the Bishop did[63]. Why, +then, it may be asked, was Livingstone so ill-pleased when it was said +that all that the Bishop had done was done by his advice? No one will +ask this question who reads the terms of a letter by Mr. Rowley, one of +the Mission party, first published in the Cape papers, and copied into +the _Times_ in November, 1862. It was said there that "from the moment +when Livingstone commenced the release of slaves, his course was one of +aggression. He hunted for slaving parties in every direction, and when +he heard of the Ajawa making slaves in order to sell to the slavers, he +went designedly in search of them, and intended to take their captives +from them by force if needful. It is true that when he came upon them he +found them to be a more powerful body than he expected, and had they not +fired first, he might have withdrawn.... His parting words to the chiefs +just before he left ... were to this effect: 'You have hitherto seen us +only as fighting men but it is not in such a character we wish you to +know us[64].'" How could Livingstone be otherwise than indignant to be +spoken of as if the use of force had been his habit, while the whole +tenor of his life had gone most wonderfully to show the efficacy of +gentle and brotherly treatment? How could he but be vexed at having the +odium of the whole proceedings thrown on him, when his last advice to +the missionaries had been disregarded by them? Or how could he fail to +be concerned at the discredit which the course ascribed to him must +bring upon the Expedition under his command, which was entirely separate +from the Mission? It was the unhandsome treatment of himself and +reckless periling of the character and interests of his Expedition in +order to shield others, that raised his indignation. "Good Bishop +Mackenzie," he wrote to his friend Mr. Fitch, "would never have tried to +screen himself by accusing me." In point of fact, a few years afterward +the Portuguese Government, through Mr. Lacerda, when complaining +bitterly of the statements of Livingstone in a speech at Bath, in 1865, +referred to Mr. Rowley's letter as bearing out their complaint. It +served admirably to give an unfavorable view of his aims and methods, +_as from one of his own allies_. Dr. Livingstone never allowed himself +to cherish any other feeling but that of high regard for the self-denial +and Christian heroism of the Bishop, and many of his coadjutors; but he +did feel that most of them were ill-adapted for their work and had a +great deal to learn, and that the manner in which he had been turned +aside from the direct objects of his own enterprise by having to look +after so many inexperienced men, and then blamed for what he deprecated, +and what was done in his absence, was rather more than it was reasonable +for him to bear[65]. + +[Footnote 63: Writing to Mr. Waller, 12th February, 1863, Dr. +Livingstone said: "I thought you wrong in attacking the Ajawa, till I +looked on it as defense of your orphans. I thought that you had shut +yourselves up to one tribe, and that, the Manganja; but I think +differently now, and only wish they would send out Dr. Pusey here. He +would learn a little sense, of which I suppose I have need myself."] + +[Footnote 64: Mr. Rowley afterward (February 22, 1865) expressed his +regret that this letter was ever written, as it had produced an +ill-effect. See _The Zambesi and its Tributaries_, p. 475 _note_.] + +[Footnote 65: It must not be supposed that the letter of Mr. Rowley +expressed the mind of his brethren. Some of them were greatly annoyed at +it, and used their influence to induce its author to write to the Cape +papers that he had conveyed a wrong impression. In writing to Sir Thomas +Maclear (20th November, 1862), after seeing Rowley's letter in the Cape +papers, Dr. Livingstone said: "It is untrue that I ever on anyone +occasion adopted an aggressive policy against the Ajawa, or took slaves +from them. Slaves were taken from Portuguese alone. I never hunted the +Ajawa, or took the part of Manganja against Ajawa. In this I believe +every member of the Mission will support my assertion." Livingstone +declined to write a contradiction _to the public prints_, because he +knew the harm that would be done by a charge against a clergyman. In +this he showed the same magnanimity and high Christian self-denial which +he had shown when he left Mabotsa. It was only when the Portuguese +claimed the benefit of Rowley's testimony that he let the public see +what its value was.] + +Writing of the terrible loss of Mackenzie and Burrup to the Bishop of +Cape Town, Livingstone says: "The blow is quite bewildering; the two +strongest men so quickly cut down, and one of them, humanly speaking, +indispensable to the success of the enterprise. We must bow to the will +of Him who doeth all things well; but I cannot help feeling sadly +disturbed in view of the effect the news may have at home. _I shall not +swerve a hairbreadth from my work while life is spared_, and I trust +the supporters of the Mission may not shrink back from all that they +have set their hearts to." + +The next few weeks were employed in taking Miss Mackenzie and Mrs. +Burrup to the "Gorgon" on their way home. It was a painful voyage to +all--to Dr. and Mrs. Livingstone, to Miss Mackenzie and Mrs. Burrup, and +last, not least, to Captain Wilson, who had been separated so long from +his ship, and had risked life, position, and everything, to do service +to a cause which in spite of all he left at a much lower ebb. + +When the "Pioneer" arrived at the bar, it found that owing to the +weather the ship had been forced to leave the coast, and she did not +return for a fortnight. There was thus another long waiting from 17th +March to 2d April. Dr. and Mrs. Livingstone then returned to Shupanga. +The long detention in the most unhealthy season of the year, and when +fever was at its height, was a sad, sad calamity. + +We are now arrived at the last illness and the death of Mrs. +Livingstone. After she had parted from her husband at the Cape in the +spring of 1858, she returned with her parents to Kuruman, and in +November gave birth there to her youngest child, Anna Mary. Thereafter +she returned to Scotland to be near her other children. Some of them +were at school. No comfortable home for them all could be formed, and +though many friends were kind, the time was not a happy one. Mrs. +Livingstone's desire to be with her husband was intense; not only the +longings of an affectionate heart, and the necessity of taking counsel +with him about the family, but the feeling that when over-shadowed by +one whose faith was so strong her fluttering heart would regain, its +steady tone, and she would be better able to help both him and the +children, gave vehemence to this desire. Her letters to her husband tell +of much spiritual darkness; his replies were the very soul of tenderness +and Christian earnestness. Providence seemed to favor her wish; the +vessel in which she sailed was preserved from imminent destruction, and +she had the great happiness of finding her husband alive and well. + +On the 21st of April Mrs. Livingstone became ill. On the 25th the +symptoms were alarming--vomitings every quarter of an hour, which +prevented any medicine from remaining on her stomach. On the 26th she +was worse and delirious. On the evening of Sunday the 27th Dr. Stewart +got a message from her husband that the end was drawing near. "He was +sitting by the side of a rude bed formed of boxes, but covered with a +soft mattress, on which lay his dying wife. All consciousness had now +departed, as she was in a state of deep coma, from which all efforts to +rouse her had been unavailing. The strongest medical remedies and her +husband's voice were both alike powerless to reach the spirit which was +still there, but was now so rapidly sinking into the depths of slumber, +and darkness and death. The fixedness of feature and the oppressed and +heavy breathing only made it too plain that the end was near. And the +man who had faced so many deaths, and braved so many dangers, was now +utterly broken down and weeping like a child." + +Dr. Livingstone asked Dr. Stewart to commend her spirit to God, and +along with Dr. Kirk they kneeled in prayer beside her. In less than an +hour, her spirit had returned to God. Half an hour after, Dr. Stewart +was struck with her likeness to her father, Dr. Moffat. He was afraid to +utter what struck him so much, but at last he said to Livingstone, "Do +you notice any change?" "Yes," he replied, without raising his eyes from +her face,--"the very features and expression of her father." + +Every one is struck with the calmness of Dr. Livingstone's notice of his +wife's death in _The Zambesi and its Tributaries_. Its matter-of-fact +tone only shows that he regarded that book as a sort of official report +to the nation, in which it would not be becoming for him to introduce +personal feelings. A few extracts from his Journal and letters will show +better the state of his heart. + +"It is the first heavy stroke I have suffered, and quite takes away my +strength. I wept over her who well deserved many tears. I loved her when +I married her, and the longer I lived with her I loved her the more. God +pity the poor children, who were all tenderly attached to her, and I am +left alone in the world by one whom I felt to be a part of myself. I +hope it may, by divine grace, lead me to realize heaven as my home, and +that she has but preceded me in the journey. Oh my Mary, my Mary! how +often we have longed for a quiet home, since you and I were cast adrift +at Kolobeng; surely the removal by a kind Father who knoweth our frame +means that He rewarded you by taking you to the best home, the eternal +one in the heavens. The prayer was found in her papers--'Accept me, +Lord, as I am, and make me such as Thou wouldst have me to be.' He who +taught her to value this prayer would not leave his own work unfinished. +On a letter she had written, 'Let others plead for pensions, I wrote to +a friend I can be rich without money; I would give my services in the +world from uninterested motives; I have motives for my own conduct I +would not exchange for a hundred pensions.' + +"She rests by the large baobab-tree at Shupanga, which is sixty feet in +circumference, and is mentioned in the work of Commodore Owen. The men +asked to be _allowed_ to mount guard till we had got the grave built up, +and we had it built with bricks dug from an old house. + +"From her boxes we find evidence that she intended to make us all +comfortable at Nyassa, though she seemed to have a presentiment of an +early death,--she purposed to do more for me than ever. + +"11_th May, Kongone_.--My dear, dear Mary has been this evening a +fortnight in heaven,--absent from the body, present with the Lord. +To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise. Angels carried her to +Abraham's bosom--to be with Christ is far better. Enoch, the seventh +from Adam, prophesied, 'Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his +saints'; ye also shall appear with Him in glory. He comes with them; +then they are now with Him. I go to prepare a place for you; that where +I am there ye may be also, to behold his glory. Moses and Elias talked +of the decease He should accomplish at Jerusalem; then they know what is +going on here on certain occasions. They had bodily organs to hear and +speak. For the first time in my life I feel willing to die.--D.L." + +"_May_ 19, 1862.--Vividly do I remember my first passage down in 1856, +passing Shupanga house without landing, and looking at its red hills and +white vales with the impression that it was a beautiful spot. No +suspicion glanced across my mind that there my loving wife would be +called to give up the ghost six years afterward. In some other spot I +may have looked at, my own resting-place may be allotted. I have often +wished that it might be in some far-off still deep forest, where I may +sleep sweetly till the resurrection morn, when the trump of God will +make all start up into the glorious and active second existence. + +"25_th May_.--Some of the histories of pious people in the last century +and previously tell of clouds of religious gloom, or of paroxysms of +opposition and fierce rebellion against God, which found vent in +terrible expressions. These were followed by great elevations of faith, +and reactions of confiding love, the results of divine influence which +carried the soul far above the region of the intellect into that of +direct spiritual intuition. This seems to have been the experience of my +dear Mary. She had a strong presentiment of death being near. She said +that she would never have a house in this country. Taking it to be +despondency alone, I only joked, and now my heart smites me that I did +not talk seriously on that and many things besides. + +"31_st May_, 1862.--The loss of my ever dear Mary lies like a heavy +weight on my heart. In our intercourse in private there was more than +what would be thought by some a decorous amount of merriment and play. I +said to her a few days before her fatal illness: 'We old bodies ought +now to be more sober, and not play so much.' 'Oh, no,' said she,' you +must always be as playful as you have always been; I would not like you +to be as grave as some folks I have seen.' This, when I know her prayer +was that she might be spared to be a help and comfort to me in my great +work, led me to feel what I have always believed to be the true way, to +let the head grow wise, but keep the heart always young and playful. She +was ready and anxious to work, but has been called away to serve God in +a higher sphere." + +Livingstone could not be idle, even when his heart was broken; he +occupied the days after the death in writing to her father and mother, +to his children, and to many of the friends who would be interested in +the sad news. Among these letters, that to Mrs. Moffat and her reply +from Kuruman have a special interest. His letters went round by Europe, +and the first news reached Kuruman by traders and newspapers. For a full +month after her daughters death, Mrs. Moffat was giving thanks for the +mercy that had spared her to meet with her husband, and had made her lot +so different from that of Miss Mackenzie and Mrs. Burrup. In a letter, +dated 26th May, she writes to Mary a graphic account of the electrical +thrill that passed through her when she saw David's handwriting--of the +beating heart with which she tried to get the essence of his letter +before she read the lines--of the overwhelming joy and gratitude with +which she learned that they had met--and then the horror of great +darkness that came over her when she read of the tragic death of the +Bishop, to whom she had learned to feel as to a friend and brother. Then +she pours out her tears over the "poor dear ladies, Miss Mackenzie and +Mrs. Burrup," and remembers the similar fate of the Helmores, who, like +the Bishop and his friends, had had it in their hearts to build a temple +to the Lord in Africa, but had not been permitted. Then comes some +family news, especially about her son Robert, whose sudden death +occurred a few days after, and was another bitter drop in the family +cup. And then some motherly forecastings of her daughter's future, +kindly counsel where she could offer any, and affectionate prayers for +the guidance of God where the future was too dark for her to penetrate. + +For a whole month before this letter was written, poor Mary had been +sleeping under the baobab-tree at Shupanga! + +In Livingstone's letter to Mrs. Moffat he gives the details of her +illness, and pours his heart out in the same affectionate terms as in +his Journal. He dwells on the many unhappy causes of delay which had +detained them near the mouth of the river, contrary to all his wishes +and arrangements. He is concerned that her deafness (through quinine) +and comatose condition before her death prevented her from giving him +the indications he would have desired respecting her state of mind in +the view of eternity. + +"I look," he says, "to her previous experience and life for comfort, and +thank God for his mercy that we have it.... A good wife and mother was +she. God have pity on the children--she was so much beloved by them.... +She was much respected by all the officers of the 'Gorgon,'--they would +do anything for her. When they met this vessel at Mozambique, Captain +Wilson offered his cabin in that fine large vessel, but she insisted +rather that Miss Mackenzie and Mrs. Burrup should go.... I enjoyed her +society during the three months we were together. It was the Lord who +gave and He has taken away. I wish to say--Blessed be his name. I +regret, as there always are regrets after our loved ones are gone, that +the slander which, unfortunately, reached her ears from missionary +gossips and others had an influence on me in allowing her to come, +before we were fairly on Lake Nyassa. A doctor of divinity said, when +her devotion to her family was praised: 'Oh, she is no good, she is here +because her husband cannot live with her,' The last day will tell +another tale." + +To his daughter Agnes he writes, after the account of her death: "... +Dear Nannie, she often thought of you, and when once, from the violence +of the disease, she was delirious, she called out, 'See! Agnes is +falling down a precipice,' May our Heavenly Saviour, who must be your +Father and Guide, preserve you from falling into the gulf of sin over +the precipice of temptation.... Dear Agnes, I feel alone in the world +now, and what will the poor dear baby do without her mamma? She often +spoke of her, and sometimes burst into a flood of tears, just as I now +do in taking up and arranging the things left by my beloved partner of +eighteen years.... I bow to the Divine hand that chastens me. God grant +that I may learn the lesson He means to teach! All she told you to do +she now enforces, as if beckoning from heaven. Nannie, dear, meet her +there. Don't lose the crown of joy she now wears, and the Lord be +gracious to you in all things. You will now need to act more and more +from a feeling of responsibility to Jesus, seeing He has taken away one +of your guardians. A right straightforward woman was she. No crooked way +ever hers, and she could act with decision and energy when required. I +pity you on receiving this, but it is the Lord.--Your sorrowing and +lonely father." + +Letters of the like tenor were written to every intimate friend. It was +a relief to his heart to pour itself out in praise of her who was gone, +and in some cases, when he had told all about the death, he returns to +speak of her life. A letter to Sir Roderick Murchison gives all the +particulars of the illness and its termination. Then he thinks of the +good and gentle Lady Murchison,--"la spirituelle Lady Murchison," as +Humboldt called her,--and writes to her: "It will somewhat ease my +aching heart to tell you about my dear departed Mary Moffat, the +faithful companion of eighteen years." He tells of her birth at Griqua +Town in 1821, her education in England, their marriage and their love. +"At Kolobeng, she managed all the household affairs by native servants +of her own training, made bread, butter, and all the clothes of the +family; taught her children most carefully; kept also an infant and +sewing school--by far the most popular and best attended we had. It was +a fine sight to see her day by day walking a quarter of a mile to the +town, no matter how broiling hot the sun, to impart instruction to the +heathen Bakwains. Ma-Robert's name is known through all that country, +and 1800 miles beyond.... A brave, good woman was she. All my hopes of +giving her one day a quiet home, for which we both had many a sore +longing, are now dashed to the ground. She is, I trust, through divine +mercy, in peace in the home of the blest.... She spoke feelingly of your +kindness to her, and also of the kind reception she received from Miss +Burdett Coutts. Please give that lady and Mrs. Brown the sad +intelligence of her death." + +The reply of Mrs. Moffat to her son-in-law's letter was touching and +beautiful. "I do thank you for the detail you have given us of the +circumstances of the last days and hours of our lamented and beloved +Mary, our first-born, over whom our fond hearts first beat with parental +affection!" She recounts the mercies that were mingled with the +trial--though Mary could not be called _eminently_ pious, she had the +root of the matter in her, and though the voyage of her life had been a +trying and stormy one, she had not become a wreck. God had remembered +her; had given her during her last year the counsels of faithful +men--referring to her kind friend and valued counselor, the Rev. +Professor Kirk, of Edinburgh, and the Rev. Dr. Stewart, of +Lovedale--and, at last, the great privilege of dying in the arms of her +husband. "As for the cruel scandal that seems to have hurt you both so +much, those who said it did not know you _as a couple_. In all _our_ +intercourse with you, we never had a doubt as to your being comfortable +together. I know there are some maudlin ladies who insinuate, when a man +leaves his family frequently, no matter how noble is his object, that he +is not _comfortable_ at home. But we can afford to smile at this, and +say, 'The Day will declare it.'... + +"Now my dear Livingstone, I must conclude by assuring you of the tender +interest we shall ever feel in your operations. It is not only as the +husband of our departed Mary and the father of her children, but as one +who has laid himself out for the emancipation of this poor wretched +continent, and for opening new doors of entrance for the heralds of +salvation (not that I would not have preferred your remaining in your +former capacity). I nevertheless rejoice in what you are allowed to +accomplish. We look anxiously for more news of you, and my heart bounded +when I saw your letters the other day, thinking they were new. May our +gracious God and Father comfort your sorrowful heart.--Believe me ever +your affectionate mother, "MARY MOFFAT." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +LAST TWO YEARS OF THE EXPEDITION. + +A.D. 1862-1863. + +Livingstone again buckles on his armor--Letter to Waller--Launch of +"Lady Nyassa"--Too late for season--He explores the Rovuma--Fresh +activity of the slave-trade--Letter to Governor of Mozambique about his +discoveries--Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear--Generous offer of a party of +Scotchmen--The Expedition proceeds up Zambesi with "Lady Nyassa" in +tow--Appalling desolations of Marianne--Tidings of the Mission--Death of +Scudamore--of Dickenson--of Thornton--Illness of Livingstone--Dr. Kirk +and Charles Livingstone go home--He proceeds northward with Mr. Rae and +Mr. E.D. Young of the "Gorgon"--Attempt to carry a boat over the +rapids--Defeated--Recall of the Expedition--Livingstone's views--Letter +to Mr. James Young--to Mr. Waller--Feeling of the Portuguese +Government--Offer to the Rev. Dr. Stewart--Great discouragements--Why +did he not go home?--Proceeds to explore Nyassa--Risks and +sufferings--Occupation of his mind--Natural History--Obliged to turn +back--More desolation--Report of his murder--Kindness of +Chinsamba--Reaches the ship--Letter from Bishop Tozer, abandoning the +Mission--Distress of Livingstone--Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear--Progress +of Dr. Stewart--Livingstonia--Livingstone takes charge of the children +of the Universities Mission--Letter to his daughter--Retrospect--The +work of the Expedition--Livingstone's plans for the future. + + +It could not have been easy for Livingstone to buckle on his armor anew. +How he was able to do it at all may be inferred from some words of cheer +written by him at the time to his friend Mr. Waller: "Thanks for your +kind sympathy. In return, I say, Cherish exalted thoughts of the great +work you have undertaken. It is a work which, if faithful, you will look +back on with satisfaction while the eternal ages roll on their +everlasting course. The devil will do all he can to hinder you by +efforts from without and from within; but remember Him who is with you, +and will be with you alway." + +As soon as he was able to brace himself, he was again at his post, +helping to put the "Lady Nyassa" together and launch her. This was +achieved by the end of June, greatly to the wonder of the natives, who +could not understand how iron should swim. The "Nyassa" was an excellent +steamboat, and could she have been got to the lake would have done well. +But, alas! the rainy season had passed, and until December this could +not be done. Here was another great disappointment. Meanwhile, Dr. +Livingstone resolved to renew the exploration of the Rovuma, in the hope +of finding a way to Nyassa beyond the dominion of the Portuguese. This +was the work in which he had been engaged at the time when he went with +Bishop Mackenzie to help him to settle. + +The voyage up the Rovuma did not lead to much. On one occasion they were +attacked, fiercely and treacherously, by the natives. Cataracts occurred +about 156 miles from the mouth, and the report was that farther up they +were worse. The explorers did not venture beyond the banks of the +rivers, but so far as they saw, the people were industrious, and the +country fertile, and a steamer of light draft might carry on a very +profitable trade among them. But there was no water-way to Nyassa. The +Rovuma came from mountains to the west, having only a very minute +connection with Nyassa. It seemed that it would be better in the +meantime to reach the lake by the Zambesi and the Shiré, so the party +returned. It was not till the beginning of 1863 that they were able to +renew the ascent of these rivers. Livingstone writes touchingly to Sir +Roderick, in reference to his returning to the Zambesi: "It may seem to +some persons weak to feel a chord vibrating to the dust of her who rests +on the banks of the Zambesi, and think that the path by that river is +consecrated by her remains." + +Meanwhile, Dr. Livingstone was busy with his pen. A new energy had been +imparted to him by the appalling facts now fully apparent, that his +discoveries had only stimulated the activity of the slave-traders, that +the Portuguese local authorities really promoted slave-trading, with its +inevitable concomitant slave-hunting, and that the horror and desolation +to which the country bore such frightful testimony was the result. It +seemed as if the duel he had fought with the Boers when they determined +to close Africa, and he determined to open it, had now to be repeated +with the Portuguese. The attention of Dr. Livingstone is more and more +concentrated on this terrible topic. Dr. Kirk writes to him that when at +Tette he had heard that the Portuguese Governor-General at Mozambique +had instructed his brother, the Governor of that town, to act on the +principle that the slave-trade, though prohibited on the ocean, was +still lawful on the land, and that any persons interfering with +slave-traders, by liberating their slaves, would be counted robbers. An +energetic despatch to Earl Russell, then Foreign Secretary, calls +attention to this outrage. + +A few days after, a strong but polite letter is sent to the Governor of +Tette, calling attention to the forays of a man named Belshore, in the +Chibisa country, and entreating him to stop them. About the same time he +writes to the Governor-General of Mozambique in reply to a paper by the +Viscount de Sa da Bandeira, published in the Almanac by the Government +press, in which the common charge was made against him of arrogating to +himself the glory of discoveries which belonged to Senhor Candido and +other Portuguese. He affirms that before publishing his book he examined +all Portuguese books of travels he could find; that he had actually +shown Senhor Candido to have been a discoverer before any Portuguese +hinted that he was such; that the lake which Candido spoke of as +northwest of Tette could not be Nyassa, which was northeast of it; that +he did full justice to all the Portuguese explorers, and that what he +claimed as own discoveries were certainly not the discoveries of the +Portuguese. A few days after, he writes to Mr. Layard, then our +Portuguese Minister, and comments on the map published by the Viscount +as representing Portuguese geography,--pointing out such blunders as +that which made the Zambesi enter the sea at Quilimane, proving that by +their map the Portuguese claimed territory that was certainly not +theirs; adverting to their utter ignorance of the Victoria Falls, the +most remarkable phenomenon in Africa; affirming that many so-called +discoveries were mere vague rumors, heard by travelers; and showing the +use that had been made of his own maps, the names being changed to suit +the Portuguese orthography. + +Livingstone had the satisfaction of knowing that his account of the trip +to Lake Nyassa had excited much interest in the Cabinet at home, and +that a strong remonstrance had been addressed to the Portuguese +Government against slave-hunting. But it does not appear that this led +to any improvement at the time. + +While stung into more than ordinary energy by the atrocious deeds he +witnessed around him, Livingstone was living near the borders of the +unseen world. He writes to Sir Thomas Maclear on the 27th October, 1862: + + "I suppose that I shall die in these uplands, and somebody + will carry, out the plan I have longed to put into practice. + I have been thinking a great deal since the departure of my + beloved one about the regions whither she has gone, and + imagine from the manner the Bible describes it we have got + too much monkery in our ideas. There will be work there as + well as here, and possibly not such a vast difference in our + being as is expected. But a short time there will give more + insight than a thousand musings. We shall see Him by whose + inexpressible love and mercy we get there, and all whom we + loved, and all the lovable. I can sympathize with you now + more fully than I did before. I work with as much vigor as I + can; and mean to do so till the change comes; but his + prospect of a home is all dispelled." + +In one of his despatches to Lord Russell, Livingstone reports an offer +that had been made by a party consisting of an Englishman and five +Scotch working men at the Cape, which must have been extremely +gratifying to him, and served to deepen his conviction that sooner or +later his plan of colonization would certainly be carried into effect. +The leader of the party, John Jehan, formerly of the London City +Mission, in reading Dr. Livingstone's book, became convinced that if a +few mechanics could be induced to take a journey of exploration it would +prove very useful. His views being communicated to five other young men +(two masons, two carpenters, one smith), they formed themselves into a +company in July, 1861, and had been working together, throwing their +earnings into a common fund, and now they had arms, two wagons, two +spans of oxen, and means of procuring outfits. In September, 1862, they +were ready to start from Aliwal in South Africa[66]. + +[Footnote 66: The recall of Livingstone's Expedition and the removal of +the Universities Mission seem to have knocked this most promising scheme +on the head. Writing of it to Sir Roderick Murchison on the 14th +December, 1862, he says: "I like the Scotchmen, and think them much +better adapted for our plans than those on whom the Universities Mission +has lighted. If employed as I shall wish them to be in trade, and +setting an example of industry in cotton or coffee planting, I think +they are just the men I need brought to my band. Don't you think this +sensible?"] + +After going to Johanna for provisions, and to discharge the crew of +Johanna men whose term of service had expired, the Expedition returned +to Tette. On the 10th January, 1863, they steamed off with the "Lady +Nyassa" in tow. The desolation that had been caused by Marianno, the +Portuguese slave-agent, was heart-breaking. Corpses floated past them. +In the morning the paddles had to be cleared of corpses caught by the +floats during the night. Livingstone summed up his impressions in one +terrible sentence: + +"Wherever we took a walk, human skeletons were seen in every direction, +and it was painfully interesting to observe the different postures in +which the poor wretches had breathed their last. A whole heap had been +thrown down a slope behind a village, where the fugitives often crossed +the river from the east; and in one hut of the same village no fewer +than twenty drums had been collected, probably the ferryman's fees. Many +had ended their misery under shady trees, others under projecting crags +in the hills, while others lay in their huts with closed doors, which +when opened disclosed the mouldering corpse with the poor rags round the +loins, the skull fallen off the pillow, the little skeleton of the +child, that had perished first, rolled up in a mat between two large +skeletons. The sight of this desert, but eighteen months ago a +well-peopled valley, now literally strewn with human bones, forced the +conviction upon us that the destruction of human life in the middle +passage, however great, constitutes but a small portion of the waste, +and made us feel that unless the slave-trade--that monster iniquity +which has so long brooded over Africa--is put down, lawful commerce +cannot be established." + +In passing up, Livingstone's heart was saddened as he visited the +Bishop's grave, and still more by the tidings which he got of the +Mission, which had now removed from Magomero to the low lands of +Chibisa. Some time before, Mr. Scudamore, a man greatly beloved, had +succumbed, and now Mr. Dickenson was added to the number of victims. Mr. +Thornton, too, who left the Expedition in 1859, but returned to it, died +under an attack of fever, consequent on too violent exertion undertaken +in order to be of service to the Mission party. Dr. Kirk and Mr. C. +Livingstone were so much reduced by illness that it was deemed necessary +for them to return to England. Livingstone himself had a most serious +attack of fever, which lasted all the month of May, Dr. Kirk remaining +with him till he got over it. When his brother and Dr. Kirk left, the +only Europeans remaining with him were Mr. Rae, the ship's engineer, +and Mr. Edward D. Young, formerly of the "Gorgon," who had volunteered +to join the Expedition, and whose after services, both in the search for +Livingstone and in establishing the mission of Livingstonia, were so +valuable. On the noble spirit shown by Livingstone in remaining in the +country after all his early companions had left, and amid such appalling +scenes as everywhere met him, we do not need to dwell. + +Here are glimpses of the inner heart of Livingstone about this time: + + "1_st March_, 1863.--I feel very often that I have not long + to live, and say, 'My dear children, I leave you. Be manly + Christians, and never do a mean thing. Be honest to men, and + to the Almighty One.'" + + "10_th April_.--Reached the Cataracts. Very thankful indeed + after our three months' toil from Shupanga." + + "27_th April_.--On this day twelvemonths my beloved Mary + Moffat was removed from me by death. + + "'If I can, I'll come again, mother, from out my resting-place; + Though you'll not see me, mother, I shall look upon your face; + Though I cannot speak a word, I shall hearken what you say, + And be often, often with you when you think I'm far away.' + + "TENNYSON." + +The "Lady Nyassa" being taken to pieces, the party began to construct a +road over the thirty-five or forty miles of the rapids, in order to +convey the steamer to the lake. After a few miles of the road had been +completed, it was thought desirable to ascertain whether the boat left +near the lake two years before was fit for service, so as to avoid the +necessity of carrying another boat past the rapids. On reaching it the +boat was found to have been burnt. The party therefore returned to carry +up another. They had got to the very last rapid, and had placed the boat +for a short space in the water, when, through the carelessness of five +Zambesi men, she was overturned, and away she went like an arrow down +the rapids. To keep calm under such a crowning disappointment must have +I taxed Livingstone's self-control to the very utmost. + +It was now that he received a despatch from Earl Russell intimating +that the Expedition was recalled. This, though a great disappointment, +was not altogether a surprise. On the 24th April he had written to Mr. +Waller "I should not wonder in the least to be recalled, for should the +Portuguese persist in keeping the rivers shut, there would be no use in +trying to develop trade," He states his views on the recall calmly in a +letter to Mr. James Young: + + "_Murchison Cataracts_, 3_d July_, 1863.--... Got + instructions for our recall yesterday, at which I do not + wonder. The Government has behaved well to us throughout, and + I feel abundantly thankful to H.M.'s ministers for enabling + me so far to carry on the experiment of turning the + industrial and trading propensities of the natives to good + account, with a view of thereby eradicating the trade in + slaves. But the Portuguese dogged our footsteps, and, as is + generally understood, with the approbation of their Home + Government, neutralized our labors. Not that the Portuguese + statesmen approved of slaving, but being enormously jealous + lest their pretended dominion from sea to sea and elsewhere + should in the least degree, now or any future time, become + aught else than a slave 'preserve,' the Governors have been + instructed, and have carried out their instructions further + than their employers intended. Major Sicard was removed from + Tette as too friendly, and his successor had emmissaries in + the Ajawa camp. Well, he saw their policy, and regretted that + they should be allowed to follow us into perfectly new + regions. The regret was the more poignant, inasmuch as but + for our entering in by gentleness, they durst not have gone. + No Portuguese dared, for instance, to come up this Shiré + Valley; but after our dispelling the fear of the natives by + fair treatment, they came in calling themselves our + 'children.' The whole thing culminated when this quarter was + inundated with Tette slavers, whose operations, with a + marauding tribe of Ajawas, and a drought, completely + depopulated the country. The sight of this made me conclude + that unless something could be done to prevent these raids, + and take off their foolish obstructions on the rivers, which + they never use, our work in this region was at an end.... + Please the Supreme, I shall work some other point yet. In + leaving, it is bitter to see some 900 miles of coast + abandoned to those who were the first to begin the + slave-trade, and seem determined to be the last to abandon + it." + +Writing to Mr. Waller at this time he said: "I don't know whether I am +to go on the shelf or not. If I do, I make Africa the shelf. If the +'Lady Nyassa' is well sold, I shall manage. There is a Ruler above, and +his providence guides all things. He is our Friend, and has plenty of +work for all his people to do. Don't fear of being left idle, if willing +to work for Him. I am glad to her of Alington. If the work is of God it +will came out all right at last. To Him shall be given of the gold of +Sheba, and daily shall He be praised. I always think it was such a +blessing and privilege to be led into his work instead of into the +service of the hard taskmasters--the Devil and Sin." + +The reason assigned by Earl Russell for the recall of the Expedition +were, that, not through any fault of Dr. Livingstone's, it had not +accomplished the objects for which it had been designed, and that it had +proved much more costly than was originally expected. Probably the +Government felt likewise that their remonstrances with the Portuguese +Government were unavailing, and that their relations were becoming too +uncomfortable. Even among those most friendly to Dr. Livingstone's great +aim, and most opposed to the slave-trade, and to the Portuguese policy +in Africa, there were some who doubted whether his proposed methods of +procedure were quite consistent with the rights of the Portuguese +Government. His Royal Highness the Prince-Consort indicated some feeling +of this kind in his interview with Livingstone in 1857. He expressed the +feeling more strongly when he declined the request, made to him through +Professor Sedgwick of Cambridge, that he would allow himself to be +Patron of the Universities Mission. Dr. Livingstone knew well that from +that exalted quarter his plans would receive no active support. That he +should have obtained the support he did from successive Governments and +successive Foreign Secretaries, Liberal and Conservative, was a great +gratification, if not something of a surprise. Hence the calmness with +which he received the intelligence of the recall. Toward the Portuguese +Government his feelings were not very sweet. On them lay the guilt of +arresting a work that would have conferred untold blessing on Africa. He +determined to make this known very clearly when he should return to +England. At a future period of his life, he purposed, if spared, to go +more fully into the reasons of his recall. Meanwhile, his course was +simply to acquiesce in the resolution of the British Government. + +It was unfortunate that the recall took place before he had been able to +carry into effect his favorite scheme of placing a steamer on Lake +Nyassa; nor could he do this now, although the vessel on which he had +spent half his fortune lay at the Murchison Cataracts. He had always +cherished the hope that the Government would repay him at least a part +of the outlay, which, instead of £3000, as he had intended, had mounted +up to £6000. He had very generously told Dr. Stewart that if this should +be done, and if he should be willing to return from Scotland to labor on +the shores of Nyassa, he would pay him his expenses out, and £150 +yearly, so anxious was he that he should begin the work. On the recall +of the Expedition, without any allowance for the ship, or even mention +of it, all these expectations and intentions came abruptly to an end. + +At no previous time had Dr. Livingstone been under greater +discouragements than now. The Expedition had been recalled; his heart +had not recovered from the desolation caused by the death of the Bishop +and his brethren, as well as the Helmores in the Makololo country, and +still more by the removal of Mrs. Livingstone, and the thought of his +motherless children; the most heart-rending scenes had been witnessed +everywhere in regions that a short time ago had been so bright; all his +efforts to do good had been turned to evil, every new path he had opened +having been seized as it were by the devil and turned to the most +diabolical ends; his countrymen were nearly all away from him; the most +depressing of diseases had produced its natural effect; he had had +worries, delays, and disappointments about ships and boats of the most +harrassing kind; and now the "Lady Nyassa" could not be floated in the +waters of which he had fondly hoped to see her the angel and the queen. +It is hardly possible to exaggerate the noble quality of the heart that, +undeterred by all these troubles, resolved to take this last chance of +exploring the banks of Nyassa, although it could only be by the weary +process of trudge, trudge, trudging; although hunger, if not starvation, +blocked the path, and fever and dysentery flitted around it like imps of +darkness; although tribes, demoralized by the slave-trade, might at any +moment put an end to him and his enterprise;--not to speak of the +ordinary risks of travel, the difficulty of finding guides, the +liability to bodily hurt, the scarcity of food, the perils from wild +beasts by night Und by day,--risks which no ordinary traveler could +think of lightly, but which in Livingstone's journeys drop out of sight, +because they are so overtopped and dwarfed by risks that ordinary +travelers never know. + +Why did not Livingstone go home? A single sentence in a letter to Mr. +Waller, while the recall was only in contemplation, explains: "In my +case, duty would not lead me home, and home therefore I would not go." +Away then goes Livingstone, accompanied by the steward of the "Pioneer" +and a handful of native servants (Mr. Young being left in charge of the +vessel), to get to the northern end of the lake, and ascertain whether +any large river flowed into it from the west, and if possible to visit +Lake Moero, of which he had heard, lying a considerable way to the west. +For the first time in his travels he carried some bottles of wine,--a +present from the missionaries Waller and Alington; for water had +hitherto been his only drink, with a little hot coffee in the mornings +to warm the stomach and ward off the feeling of sinking. At one time +the two white men are lost three days in the woods, without food or the +means of purchasing it; but some poor natives out of their poverty show +them kindness. At another they can procure no guides, though the country +is difficult and the way intersected by deep gullies that can only be +scaled at certain known parts; anon they are taken for slave-dealers, +and make a narrow escape of a night attack. Another time, the cries of +children remind Livingstone of his own home and family, where the very +same tones of sorrow had often been heard; the thought brought its own +pang, only he could feel thankful that in the case of his children the +woes of the slave-trade would never be added to the ordinary sorrows of +childhood. Then he would enjoy the joyous laugh of some Manganja women, +and think of the good influence of a merry heart, and remember that +whenever he had observed a chief with a joyous twinkle of the eye +accompanying his laugh, he had always set him down as a good fellow, and +had never been disappointed in him afterward. Then he would cheer his +monotony by making some researches into the origin of civilization, +coming to the clear conclusion that born savages must die out, because +they could devise no means of living through disease. By and by he would +examine the Arab character, and find Mahometanism as it now is in Africa +worse than African heathenism, and remark on the callousness of the +Mahometans to the welfare of one another, and on the especial glory of +Christianity, the only religion that seeks to propagate itself, and +through the influence of love share its blessings with others. Anon he +would dwell on the primitive African faith; its recognition of one +Almighty Creator, its moral code, so like our own, save in the one +article of polygamy; its pious recognition of a future life, though the +element of punishment is not very conspicuous; its mild character +generally, notwithstanding the bloodthirstiness sometimes ascribed to +it, which, however, Livingstone held to be, at Dahomey for example, +purely exceptional. + +Another subject that occupied him was the natural history of the +country. He would account for desert tracts like Kalahari by the fact +that the east and southeast winds, laden with moisture from the Indian +Ocean, get cooled over the coast ranges of mountains, and having +discharged their vapor there had no spare moisture to deposit over the +regions that for want of it became deserts. The geology of Southern +Africa was peculiar; the geographical series described in books was not +to be found here, for, as Sir Roderick Murchison had shown, the great +submarine depressions and elevations that had so greatly affected the +other continents during the secondary, tertiary, and more recent +periods, had not affected Africa. It had preserved its terrestrial +conditions during a long period, unaffected by any changes save those +dependent on atmospheric influences. There was also a peculiarity in +prehistoric Africa--it had no stone period; at least no flint weapons +had been found, and the familiarity and skill of the natives with the +manufacture of iron seemed to indicate that they had used iron weapons +from the first. + +The travelers had got as far as the river Loangwa (of Nyassa), when a +halt had to be called. Some of the natives had been ill, and indeed one +had died in the comparatively cold climate of the highlands. But nothing +would have hindered Livingstone from working his way round the head of +the lake if only time had been on his side. But time was inexorably +against him; the orders from Government were strict. He must get the +"Pioneer" down to the sea while the river was in flood. A month or six +weeks would have enabled him to finish his researches, but he could not +run the risk. It would have been otherwise had he foreseen that when he +got to the ship he would be detained two months waiting for the rising +of the river. On their way back, they took a nearer cut, but found the +villages all deserted. The reeds along the banks of the lake were +crowded with fugitives. "In passing mile after mile, marked with the +sad proofs that 'man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands +mourn,' one experiences an overpowering sense of helplessness to +alleviate human woe, and breathes a silent prayer to the Almighty to +hasten the good time coming when 'man to man, the world o'er, shall +brothers be for all that.'" Near a village called Bangwé they were +pursued by a body of Mazitu, who retired when they came within ear-shot. +This little adventure seemed to give rise to the report that Dr. +Livingstone had been murdered by the Makololo, which reached England, +and created no small alarm. Referring to the report in his jocular way, +in a letter to his friend Mr. Fitch, he says, "A report of my having +been murdered at the lake has been very industriously circulated by the +Portuguese. Don't become so pale on getting a letter from a dead man." + +Reaching the stockade of Chinsamba in Mosapo, they were much pleased +with that chief's kindness. Dr. Livingstone followed his usual method, +and gained his usual influence. "When a chief has made any inquiries of +us, we have found that we gave most satisfaction in our answers when we +tried to fancy ourselves in the position of the interrogator, and him +that of a poor uneducated fellow-countryman in England. The polite, +respectful way of speaking, and behavior of what we call 'a thorough +gentleman,' almost always secures the friendship and good-will of the +Africans." + +On 1st November, 1863, the party reached the ship, and found all well. +Here, as has been said, two months had to be spent waiting for the +flood, to Dr. Livingstone's intense chagrin. + +While waiting here he received a letter from Bishop Tozer, the successor +of Bishop Mackenzie, informing him that he had resolved to abandon the +Mission on the continent and transfer operations to Zanzibar. Dr. +Livingstone had very sincerely welcomed the new Bishop, and at first +liked him, and thought that his caution would lead to good results. +Indeed, when he saw that his own scheme was destroyed by the Portuguese, +he had great hopes that what he had been defeated in, the Mission would +accomplish. Some time before, his hopes had begun to wane, and now the +news conveyed in Bishop Tozer's letter was their death-blow. In his +reply he implored the Bishop to reconsider the matter. After urging +strongly some considerations bearing on the duty of missionaries, the +reputation of Englishmen, and the impression likely to be made on the +native mind, he concluded thus: "I hope, dear Bishop, you will not deem +me guilty of impertinence in thus writing to you with a sore heart. I +see that if you go, the last ray of hope for this wretched, trodden-down +people disappears, and I again from the bottom of my heart entreat you +to reconsider the matter, and may the All-wise One guide to that +decision which will be most for his glory." + +And thus, for Livingstone's life-time, ended the Universities Mission to +Central Africa, with all the hopes which its bright dawn had inspired, +that the great Church of England would bend its strength against the +curse of Africa, and sweep it from the face of the earth. Writing to Sir +Thomas Maclear, he said that he felt this much more than his own recall. +He could hardly write of it; he was more inclined "to sit down and cry." +No mission had ever had such bright prospects; notwithstanding all that +had been said against it, he stood by the climate as firmly as ever, and +if he were only young, he would go himself and plant the gospel there. +It would be done one day without fail, though he might not live to +see it. + +As usual, Livingstone found himself blamed for the removal of the +Mission. The Makololo had behaved badly, and they were Livingstone's +people. "Isn't it interesting," he writes to Mr. Moore, "to get blamed +for everything? But I must be thankful in feeling that I would rather +perish than blame another for my misdeeds and deficiencies." + +We have lost sight of Dr. Stewart and the projected mission of the Free +Church of Scotland. As Dr. Livingstone's arrangements did not admit of +his accompanying Dr. Stewart up the Shiré, he set out alone, falling in +afterward with the Rev. Mr. Scudamore, a member, and as we have already +said ultimately a martyr, of the Universities Mission. The report which +Dr. Stewart made of the prospects of a mission was that, owing to the +disturbed state of the country, no immediate action could be taken. +Livingstone seemed to think him hasty in this conclusion. The scheme +continued to be ardently cherished, and some ten or twelve years +after--in 1874--in the formation of the "Livingstonia" mission and +colony, a most promising and practical step was taken toward the +fulfillment of Dr. Livingstone's views. Dr. Stewart has proved one of +the best friends and noblest workers for African regeneration both at +Lovedale and Livingstonia--a strong man on whom other men may lean, with +his whole heart in the cause of Africa. + +In the breaking up of the Universities Mission, it was necessary that +some arrangement should be made on behalf of about thirty boys and a few +helpless old persons and others, a portion of the rescued slaves, who +had been taken under the charge of the Mission, and could not be +abandoned. The fear of the Portuguese seemed likely to lead to their +being left behind. But Livingstone could not bear the idea. He thought +it would be highly discreditable to the good name of England, and an +affront to the memory of Bishop Mackenzie, to "repudiate" his act in +taking them under his protection. Therefore, when Bishop Tozer would not +accept the charge, he himself took them in hand, giving orders to Mr. +E.D. Young (as he says in his Journal), "in the event of any Portuguese +interfering with them in his absence, to pitch him over-board!" Through +his influence arrangements were made, as we shall see, for conveying +them to the Cape. Mr. R.M. Ballantyne, in his _Six Months at the Cape_, +tells us that he found, some years afterward, among the most efficient +teachers in St. George's Orphanage, Cape Town, one of these black girls, +named Dauma, whom Bishop Mackenzie had personally rescued and carried on +his shoulders, and whom Livingstone now rescued a second time. + +Livingstone's plan for himself was to sail to Bombay in the "Lady +Nyassa," and endeavor to sell her there, before returning home. The +Portuguese would have liked to get her, to employ her as a +slaver--"But," he wrote to his daughter (10th August, 1863), "I would +rather see her go down to the depths of the Indian Ocean than that. We +have not been able to do all that we intended for this country, owing to +the jealousy and slave-hunting of the Portuguese. They have hindered us +effectually by sweeping away the population into slavery. Thousands have +perished, and wherever we go human skeletons appear. I suppose that our +Government could not prevail on the Portuguese to put a stop to this; so +we are recalled. I am only sorry that we ever began near these slavers, +but the great men of Portugal professed so loudly their eager desire to +help us (and in the case of the late King I think there was sincerity), +that I believed them, and now find out that it was all for show in +Europe.... If missions were established as we hoped, I should still hope +for good being done to this land, but the new Bishop had to pay +fourpence for every pound weight of calico he bought, and calico is as +much currency here as money is in Glasgow. It looks as if they wished to +prohibit any one else coming, and, unfortunately, Bishop Tozer, a good +man enough, lacks courage.... What a mission it would be if there were +no difficulties--nothing but walking about in slippers made by admiring +young ladies! Hey! that would not suit me. It would give me the +doldrums; but there are many tastes in the world." + +Looking back on the work of the last six years, while deeply grieved +that the great object of the Expedition had not been achieved, Dr. +Livingstone was able to point to some important results: + +1. The discovery of the Kongone harbor, and the ascertaining of the +condition of the Zambesi River, and its fitness for navigation. + +2. The ascertaining of the capacity of the soil. It was found to be +admirably adapted for indigo and cotton, as well as tobacco, castor-oil, +and sugar. Its great fertility was shown by its gigantic grasses, and +abundant crops of corn and maize. The highlands were free from tsetse +and mosquitoes. The drawback to all this was the occurrence of +periodical droughts, once every few years. + +But every fine feature of the country was bathed in gloom by the +slave-trade. The image left in Dr. Livingstone's mind was not that of +the rich, sunny, luxuriant country, but that of the woe and wretchedness +of the people. The real service of the Expedition was, that it had +exposed slavery at its fountain-head, and in all its phases. First, +there was the internal slave-trade between hostile native tribes. Then, +there were the slave-traders from the coast, Arabs, or half-caste +Portuguese, for whom natives were encouraged to collect slaves by all +the horrible means of marauding and murder. And further, there were the +parties sent out from Portuguese and Arab coast towns, with cloth and +beads, muskets and ammunition. The destructive and murderous effects of +the last were the climax of the system. + +Dr. Livingstone had seen nothing to make him regard the African as of a +different species from the rest of the human family. Nor was he the +lowest of the species. He had a strong frame and a wonderfully +persistent vitality, was free from many European diseases, and could +withstand privations with wonderful light-heartedness. + +He did not deem it necessary formally to answer a question sometimes +put, whether the African had enough of intellect to receive +Christianity. The reception of Christianity did not depend on intellect. +It depended, as Sir James Stephen had remarked, on a spiritual +intuition, which was not the fruit of intellectual culture. But, in +fact, the success of missions on the West Coast showed that not only +could the African be converted to Christianity, but that Christianity +might take root and be cordially supported by the African race. + +It was the accursed slave-trade, promoted by the Portuguese, that had +frustrated everything. For some time to come his efforts and his prayers +must be directed to getting influential men to see to this, so that one +way or other the trade might be abolished forever. The hope of obtaining +access to the heart of Africa by another route than that through the +Portuguese settlements was still in Livingstone's heart. He would go +home, but only for a few months; at the earliest possible moment he +would return to look for a new route to the interior. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +QUILIMANE TO BOMBAY AND ENGLAND. + +A.D. 1864. + +Livingstone returns the "Pioneer" to the Navy, and is to sail in the +"Nyassa" to Bombay--Terrific circular storm--Imminent peril of the +"Nyassa"--He reaches Mozambique--Letter to his daughter--Proceeds to +Zanzibar--His engineer leaves him--Scanty crew of "Nyassa"--Livingstone +captain and engineer--Peril of the voyage of 2500 miles--Risk of the +monsoons--The "Nyassa" becalmed--Illness of the men--Remarks on African +travel--Flying-fish--Dolphins--Curiosities of his Journal--Idea of a +colony--Furious squall--Two sea-serpents seen--More squalls--The +"Nyassa" enters Bombay harbor--Is unnoticed--First visit from officers +with Custom-house schedules--How filled up--Attention of Sir Bartle +Frere and others--Livingstone goes with the Governor to Dapuri--His +feelings on landing in India--Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear--He visits +mission-schools, etc., at Poonah--Slaving in Persian Gulf--Returns to +Bombay--Leaves two boys with Dr. Wilson--Borrows passage-money and sails +for England--At Aden--At Alexandria--Reaches Charing +Cross--Encouragement derived from his Bombay visit--Two projects +contemplated on his way home. + + +On reaching the mouth of the Zambesi, Dr. Livingstone was fortunate in +falling in, on the 13th February, with H.M.S. "Orestes," which was +joined on the 14th by the "Ariel." The "Orestes" took the "Pioneer" in +tow, and the "Ariel" the "Lady Nyassa," and brought them to Mozambique. +The day after they set out, a circular storm passed over them, raging +with the utmost fury, and creating the greatest danger. Often as Dr. +Livingstone had been near the gates of death, he was never nearer than +now. He had been offered a passage on board the "Ariel," but while there +was danger he would not leave the "Lady Nyassa." Had the latter not been +an excellent sea-ship she could not have survived the tempest; all the +greater was Dr. Livingstone's grief that she had never reached the lake +for which she was adapted so well. + +Writing to his daughter Agnes from Mozambique, he gives a very graphic +account of the storm, after telling her the manner of their leaving +the Zambesi: + + "_Mozambique_, 24_th Feb._, 1864.--When our patience had been + well nigh exhausted the river rose and we steamed gladly down + the Shiré on the 19th of last month. An accident detained us + some time, but on the 1st February we were close by + Morumbala, where the Bishop [Tozer] passed a short time + before bolting out of the country. I took two members of the + Mission away in the 'Pioneer,' and thirteen women and + children, whom having liberated we did not like to leave to + become the certain prey of slavers again. The Bishop left + twenty-five boys, too, and these also I took with me, hoping + to get them conveyed to the Cape, where I trust they may + become acquainted with our holy religion. We had thus quite a + swarm on board, all very glad to get away from a land of + slaves. There were many more liberated, but we took only the + helpless and those very anxious to be free and with English + people. Those who could cultivate the soil we encouraged to + do so, and left up the river. Only one boy was unwilling to + go, and he was taken by the Bishop. It is a great pity that + the Bishop withdrew the Mission, for he had a noble chance of + doing great things. The captives would have formed a fine + school, and as they had no parents he could have educated + them as he liked. + + "When we reached the sea-coast at Luabo we met a man-of-war, + H.M.S. 'Orestes.' I went to her with 'Pioneer,' and sent + 'Lady Nyassa' round by inland canal to Kongone. Next day I + went into Kongone in 'Pioneer'; took our things out of her, + and handed her over to the officers of the 'Orestes.' Then + H.M.S 'Ariel' came and took 'Nyassa' in tow, 'Orestes' having + 'Pioneer.' Captain Chapman of 'Ariel' very kindly invited me + on board to save me from the knocking about of the 'Lady + Nyassa,' but I did not like to leave so long as there was any + danger, and accepted his invitation for Mr. Waller, who was + dreadfully sea-sick. On 15th we were caught by a hurricane + which whirled the 'Ariel' right round. Her sails, quickly put + to rights, were again backed so that the ship was driven + backward and a hawser wound itself round her screw, so as to + stop the engines. By this time she was turned so as to be + looking right across 'Lady Nyassa,' and the wind alone + propelling her as if to go over the little vessel. I saw no + hope of escape except by catching a rope's-end of the big + ship as she passed over us, but by God's goodness she glided + past, and we felt free to breathe. That night it blew a + furious gale. The captain offered to lower a boat if I would + come to the 'Ariel,' but it would have endangered all in the + boat: the waves dashed so hard against the sides of the + vessel, it might have been swamped, and my going away would + have taken heart out of those that remained. We then passed a + terrible night, but the 'Lady Nyassa' did wonderfully well, + rising like a little duck over the foaming billows. She took + in spray alone, and no green water. The man-of-war's people + expected that she would go down, and it was wonderful to see + how well she did when the big man-of-war, only about 200 feet + off, plunged so as to show a large portion of copper oh her + bottom, then down behind so as to have the sea level with the + top of her bulwarks. A boat hung at that level was smashed. + If we had gone down we could not have been helped in the + least--pitch dark, and wind whistling above; the black folks, + 'ane bocking here, another there,' and wanting us to go to + the 'bank.' On 18th the weather moderated, and, the captain + repeating his very kind offer, I went on board with a good + conscience, and even then the boat got damaged. I was hoisted + up in it, and got rested in what was quite a steady ship as + compared with the 'Lady Nyassa.' The 'Ariel' was three days + cutting off the hawser, though nine feet under water, the men + diving and cutting it with immensely long chisels. On the + 19th we spoke to a Liverpool ship, requesting the captain to + report me alive, a silly report having been circulated by the + Portuguese that I had been killed at Lake Nyassa, and on the + 24th we entered Mozambique harbor, very thankful for our kind + and merciful preservation. The 'Orestes' has not arrived with + the 'Pioneer,' though she is a much more powerful vessel than + the 'Ariel.' Here we have a fort, built in 1500, and said to + be of stones brought from Lisbon. It is a square + massive-looking structure. The town adjacent is Arab in + appearance. The houses flat-roofed and colored white, pink, + and yellow; streets narrow, with plenty of slaves on them. It + is on an island, the mainland on the north being about a mile + off." + +The "Pioneer" was delivered over to the Navy, being Her Majesty's +property, and proceeded to the Cape with the "Valorous," Mr. Waller +being on board with a portion of the mission flock. Of Mr. Waller +(subsequently editor of the _Last Journals_) Dr. Livingstone remarked +that "he continued his generous services to all connected with the +Mission, whether white or black, till they were no longer needed; his +conduct to them throughout was truly noble, and worthy of the +highest praise." + +After remaining some weeks at Mozambique for thorough repairs, the +"Lady Nyassa" left on 16th April for Johanna and Zanzibar. She was +unable to touch at the former place, and reached Zanzibar on the 24th. +Offers were made for her there, which might have led to her being sold, +but her owner did not think them sufficient, and in point of fact, he +could not make up his mind to part with her. He clung to the hope that +she might yet be useful, and to sell her seemed equivalent to abandon +all hope of carrying out his philanthropic schemes. At all events, till +he should consult Mr. Young he would not sell her at such a sacrifice. +At Zanzibar he found that a naval gentleman, who had been lately there, +had not spoken of him in the most complimentary terms. But it had not +hurt him with his best friends. "Indeed, I find that evil-speaking +against me has, by the good providence of my God, turned rather to my +benefit. I got two of my best friends by being spoken ill of, for they +found me so different from what they had been led to expect that they +befriended me more than they otherwise would have done. It is the good +hand of Him who has all in his power that influences other hearts to +show me kindness." + +The only available plan now was to cross the Indian Ocean for Bombay, or +possibly Aden, in the "Nyassa" and leave the ship there till he should +make a run home, consult with his friends as to the future, and find +means for the prosecution of his work. At Zanzibar a new difficulty +arose. Mr. Rae, the engineer, who had now been with him for many years, +and with whom, despite his peculiarities, he got on very well, signified +his intention of leaving him. He had the offer of a good situation, and +wished to accept of it. He was not without compunctions at leaving his +friend in the lurch, and told Livingstone that if he had had no offer +for the ship he would have gone with him, but as he had declined the +offer made to him, he did not feel under obligation to do so. +Livingstone was too generous to press him to remain. It was impossible +to supply Mr. Rae's place, and if anything should go wrong with the +engines, what was to be done? The entire crew of the vessel consisted of +four Europeans; namely, Dr. Livingstone--"skipper," one stoker, one +carpenter, and one sailor; seven native Zambesians, who, till they +volunteered, had never seen the sea, and two boys, one of whom was +Chuma, afterward his attendant on the last journey. With this somewhat +sorry complement, and fourteen tons of coal, Dr. Livingstone set out on +30th April, on a voyage of 2500 miles, over an ocean which he had +never crossed. + +It was a very perilous enterprise, for he was informed that the breaking +of the monsoon occurred at the end of May or the beginning of June. +This, as he came to think, was too early; but in any case, he would come +very near the dangerous time. As he wrote to one of his friends, he felt +jammed into a corner, and what could he do? He believed from the best +information he could get that he would reach Bombay in eighteen days. +Had any one told him that he would be forty-five days at sea, and that +for twenty-five of these his ship would be becalmed, and even when she +had a favorable wind would not sail fast, even he would have looked pale +at the thought of what was before him. The voyage was certainly a +memorable one, and has only escaped fame by the still greater wonders +performed by Livingstone on land. + +On the first day of the voyage, he made considerable way, but Collyer, +one of his white men, was prostrated by a bilious attack. However, one +of the black men speedily learned to steer, and took Dr. Livingstone's +place at the wheel. Hardly was Collyer better when Pennell, another of +his men, was seized. The chief foes of the ship were currents and calms. +Owing to the illness of the men they could not steam, and the sails were +almost useless. Even steam, when they got it up, enabled them only to +creep. On 20th May, Livingstone, after recording but sixteen knots in +the last twenty-four hours, says in his Journal: "This very unusual +weather has a very depressing influence on my mind. I often feel as if I +am to die on this voyage, and wish I had sent the accounts to the +Government, as also my chart to the Zambesi. I often wish that I may be +permitted to do something for the benighted of Africa. I shall have +nothing to do at home; by the failure of the Universities Mission my +work seems vain. No fruit likely to come from J. Moffat's mission +either. Have I not labored in vain? Am I to be cut off before I do +anything to effect permanent improvement in Africa? I have been +unprofitable enough, but may do something yet, in giving information. If +spared, God grant that I may be more faithful than I have been, and may +He open up the way for me!" + +Next day the weather was as still as ever; the sea a glassy calm, with a +hot glaring sun, and sharks stalking about. "All ill-natured," says +honest Livingstone, "and in this I am sorry to feel compelled to join." + +There is no sign of ill-nature, however, in the following remarks on +African travel, in his Journal for 23d May: + + "In traveling in Africa, with the specific object in view of + ameliorating the benighted condition of the country, every + act is ennobled. In obtaining shelter for the night, and + exchanging the customary civilities, purchasing food for + one's party and asking the news of the country, and answering + in their own polite way any inquiries made respecting the + object of the journey, we begin to spread information + respecting that people by whose agency their land will yet be + made free from the evils that now oppress it. The mere animal + pleasure of traveling is very great. The elastic muscles have + been exercised. Fresh and healthy blood circulates in the + veins, the eye is clear, the step firm, but the day's + exertion has been enough to make rest thoroughly enjoyable. + There is always the influence of the remote chances of danger + on the mind, either from men or wild beasts, and there is the + fellow-feeling drawn out to one's humble, hardy companions, + with whom a community of interests and perils renders one + friends indeed. The effect of travel on my mind has been to + make it more self-reliant, confident of resources and + presence of mind. On the body the limbs become wall-knit, the + muscles after six months' tramping are as hard as a board, + the countenance bronzed as was Adam's, and no dyspepsia. + "In remaining at any spot, it is to work. The sweat of the + brow is no longer a curse when one works for God; it is + converted into a blessing. It is a tonic to the system. The + charms of repose cannot be known without the excitement of + exertion. Most travelers seem taken up with the difficulties + of the way, the pleasures of roaming free in the most + picturesque localities seem forgotten." + + Toward the end of May a breeze at last springs up; many + flying-fish come on board, and Livingstone is as usual intent + on observation. He observes them fly with great ease a + hundred yards, the dolphin pursuing them swiftly, but not so + swiftly as they can fly. He notices that the dolphin's bright + colors afford a warning to his enemies, and give them a + chance of escape. Incessant activity is a law in obtaining + food. If the prey could be caught with ease, and no warning + were given, the balance would be turned against the feebler + animals, and carnivora alone would prevail. The cat shows her + shortened tail, and the rattlesnake shakes his tail, to give + warning to the prey. The flying-fish has large eyes in + proportion to other fish, yet leaps on board very often at + night, and kills himself by the concussion. + + Livingstone is in great perplexity what to do. At the rate at + which his ship is going it would take him fifteen days to + reach Bombay, being one day before the breaking of the + monsoon, which would be running it too close to danger. He + thinks of going to Aden, but that would require him to go + first to Maculla for water and provisions. When he tries Aden + the wind is against him; so he turns the ship's head to + Bombay, though he has water enough for but ten or twelve days + on short allowance. "May the Almighty be gracious to us all + and help us!" + + His Journal is a curious combination of nautical observations + and reflections on Africa and his work. We seem to hear him + pacing his little deck, and thinking aloud: + + "The idea of a colony in Africa, as the term colony is + usually understood cannot be entertained. English races + cannot compete in manual labor of any kind with the natives, + but they can take a leading part in managing the land, + improving the quality, in creating the quantity and extending + the varieties of the productions of the soil; and by taking a + lead, too, in trade, and in all public matters, the + Englishman would be an unmixed advantage to every one below + and around him, for he would fill a place which is now + practically vacant. + + "It is difficult to convey an idea of the country; it is so + different from all preconceived notions. The country in many + parts rises up to plateaus, slopes up to which are + diversified by valleys lined with trees; or here and there + rocky bluffs jut out; the plateaus themselves are open + prairies covered with grass dotted over with trees, and + watered by numerous streams. Nor are they absolutely flat, + their surface is varied by picturesque undulations. Deep + gorges and ravines leading down to the lower levels offer + special beauties, and landscapes from the edges of the higher + plateaus are in their way unequaled. Thence the winding of + the Shiré may be followed like a silver thread or broad lake + with its dark mountain mass behind. + + "I think that the Oxford and Cambridge missionaries have + treated me badly in trying to make me the scapegoat of their + own blunders and inefficiency.... But I shall try equitably + and gently to make allowances for human weakness, though that + weakness has caused me much suffering." + +On 28th May they had something like a foretaste of the breaking of the +monsoon, though happily that event did not yet take place. "At noon a +dense cloud came down on us from E. and N.E., and blew a furious gale; +tore sails; the ship, as is her wont, rolled broadside into it, and +nearly rolled quite over. Everything was hurled hither and thither. It +lasted half an hour, then passed with a little rain. It was terrible +while it lasted. We had calm after it, and sky brightened up. Thank God +for his goodness." + +In June there was more wind, but a peculiarity in the construction of +the ship impeded her progress through the water. It was still very +tedious and trying. Livingstone seems to have been reading books that +would take his attention off the very trying weather. + +"Lord Ravensworth has been trying for twenty years to reader the lines +in Horace-- + + 'Dulce ridentem Lalagen amabo + Dulce loquentem.' + +And after every conceivable variety of form this is the best: + + 'The softly speaking Lalage, + The softly smiling still for me.' + +Pity he had nothing better to engage his powers, for instance the +translating of the Bible into one of the languages of the world." + +The 10th of June was introduced by a furious squall which tore the fore +square-sail to ribbons. A curious sight is seen at sea: "two +serpents--said to be often seen on the coast. One dark olive, with light +yellow rings round it, and flattened tail; the other lighter in color. +They seem to be salt-water animals." + +Next day, a wet scowling morning. Frequent rains, and thunder in the +distance. "A poor weak creature. Permit me to lean on an +all-powerful arm." + +"The squalls usually come up right against the wind, and cast all our +sails aback. This makes them so dangerous, active men are required to +trim them to the other side. We sighted land a little before 12, the +high land of Rutnagerry. I thought of going in, but finding that we have +twenty-eight hours' steam, I changed my mind, and pushed on for Bombay, +115 miles distant. We are nearer the land down here than we like, but +our N.W. wind has prevented us from making northing. We hope for a +little change, and possibly may get in nicely. The good Lord of all +help us! + +"At 3 P.M. wind and sea high; very hazy. Raining, with a strong head +wind; at 8 P.M. a heavy squall came off the land on our east. Wind +whistled through the rigging loudly, and we made but little progress +steaming. At 11 P.M. a nice breeze sprang up from east and helped us. +About 12 a white patch reported seemed a shoal, but none is marked on +the chart. Steered a point more out from land; another white patch +marked in middle watch. Sea and wind lower at 3 A.M. At daylight we +found ourselves abreast high land at least 500 feet above sea-level. +Wind light, and from east, which enables us to use fore and aft +try-sails. A groundswell on, but we are getting along, and feel very +thankful to Him who has favored us. Hills not so beautifully colored as +those in Africa.... + +"At 7 P.M. a furious squall came off the land; could scarcely keep the +bonnets on our heads. Pitchy dark, except the white curl on the waves, +which was phosphorescent. Seeing that we could not enter the harbor, +though we had been near, I stopped the steaming and got up the +try-sails, and let Pennell, who has been up thirty hours, get a sleep. + +"13_th June_, 1864.--We found that we had come north only about ten +miles. We had calms after the squall, and this morning the sea is as +smooth as glass, and a thick haze over the land. A scum as of dust on +face of water. We are, as near as I can guess by the chart, about +twenty-five miles from the port of Bombay. Came to Choul Rock at +mid-day, and, latitude agreeing thereto, pushed on N. by W. till we came +to light-ship. It was so hazy inland we could see nothing whatever, then +took the direction by chart, and steered right into Bombay most +thankfully. I mention God's good providence over me, and beg that He may +accept my spared life for his service." + +Between the fog and the small size of the Nyassa, her entrance into the +harbor was not observed. Among Livingstone's first acts on anchoring was +to give handsome gratuities to those who had shared his danger and +helped him in his straits. Going ashore, he called on the Governor and +the police magistrate, but the one was absent and the other busy, and so +he returned to the ship unrecognized. The schedules of the custom-house +sent to be filled up his first recognition by the authorities of +Bombay. He replied that except a few bales of calico and a box of beads +he had no merchandise; he was consigned to no one; the seamen had only +their clothes, and he did not know a single soul in Bombay. As soon as +his arrival was known every attention was showered on him by Sir Bartle +Frere, the Governor, and others. They had been looking out for him, but +he had eluded their notice. The Governor was residing at Dapuri, and on +his invitation Livingstone went there. Stopping at Poona, he called on +the missionaries, and riding on an elephant he saw some of the "lions" +of the place. Colonel Stewart, who accompanied him, threw some light on +the sea-serpent. "He told us that the yellow sea-serpent which we had +seen before reaching Bombay is poisonous; there are two kinds--one dark +olive, the other pale lemon color; both have rings of brighter yellow on +their tails." + +Landing in India was a strange experience, as he tells Sir Thomas +Maclear. "To walk among the teeming thousands of all classes of +population, and see so many things that reading and pictures had made +familiar to the mind, was very interesting. The herds of the buffaloes, +kept I believe for their milk, invariably made the question glance +across the mind, 'Where's your rifle?' Nor could I look at the elephants +either without something of the same feeling. Hundreds of bales of +cotton were lying on the wharves.". + +"20_th June_, 1864--Went with Captain Leith to Poona to visit the Free +Church Mission Schools there, under the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, Gardner, etc. +A very fine school of 500 boys and young men answered questions very +well.... All collected together, and a few ladies and gentlemen for whom +I answered questions about Africa. We then went to a girls' school; the +girls sang very nicely, then acted a little play. There were different +castes in all the schools, and quite mixed. After this we went to +College, where young men are preparing for degrees of the University +under Dr. Haug and Mr. Wordsworth; then to the Roman Catholic Orphanage, +where 200 girls are assembled, clothed, and fed under a French Lady +Superior--dormitory clean and well aired, but many had +scrofulous-looking sore eyes; then home to see some friends whom Lady +Frere had invited, to save me the trouble of calling on them. Saw Mr. +Cowan's daughter." + +"21_st June_, 1864.--... Had a conversation with the Governor after +breakfast about the slaving going on toward the Persian Gulf. His idea +is that they are now only beginning to put a stop to slavery--they did +not know of it previously.... The merchants of Bombay have got the whole +of the trade of East Africa thrown on their hands, and would, it is +thought, engage in an effort to establish commerce on the coast. The +present Sultan is, for an Arab, likely to do a good deal. He asked if I +would undertake to be consul at a settlement, but I think I have not +experience enough for a position of that kind among Europeans." + +On returning to Bombay, he saw the missionary institutions of the Scotch +Established and Free Churches, and arranged with Dr. Wilson of the +latter mission to take his two boys, Chuma and Wikatani. He arranged +also that the "Lady Nyassa," which he had not yet sold, should be taken +care of, and borrowing £133, 10s. for the passage-money of himself and +John Reid, one of his men, embarked for old England. + +At Aden considerable rain had fallen lately; he observed that there was +much more vegetation than when he was there before, and it occurred to +him that at the time of the Exodus the same effects probably followed +the storms of rain, lightning, and hail in Egypt. Egypt was very far +from green, so that Dr. Stanley must have visited it at another part of +the year. At Alexandria, when he went on board the "Ripon," he found the +Maharaja Dhuleep Singh and his young Princess--the girl he had fancied +and married from an English Egyptian school. Paris is reached on the +21st July; a day is spent in resting; and on the evening of the 23d he +reaches Charing Cross, and is regaled with what, after nearly eight +years' absence, must have been true music--the roar of the +mighty Babylon. + +The desponding views of his work which we find in such entries in his +Journal as that of 20th May must not be held to express his deliberate +mind. It must not be thought that he had thrown aside the motto which +had helped him as much as it had helped his royal countryman, Robert +Bruce--"Try again." He had still some arrows in his quiver. And his +short visit to Bombay was a source of considerable encouragement. The +merchants there, who had the East African trade in their hands, +encouraged him to hope that a settlement for honest traffic might be +established to the north of the region over which the Portuguese claimed +authority. As Livingstone moved homeward he was revolving two projects. +The first was to expose the atrocious slave-trading of the Portuguese, +which had not only made all his labor fruitless, but had used his very +discoveries as channels for spreading fresh misery over Africa. The +thought warmed his blood, and he felt like a Highlander with his hand on +his claymore. The second project was to find means for a new settlement +at the head of the Rovuma, or somewhere else beyond the Portuguese +lines, which he would return in the end of the year to establish. +Writing a short book might help to accomplish both these projects. As +yet, the idea of finding the sources of the Nile was not in his mind. It +was at the earnest request of others that he undertook the work that +cost him so many years of suffering, and at last his life. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +SECOND VISIT HOME. + +A.D. 1864-65. + +Dr. Livingstone and Sir R. Murchison--At Lady Palmerston's reception--at +other places in London--Sad news of his son Robert--His early death--Dr. +Livingstone goes to Scotland--Pays visits--Consultation with Professor +Syme as to operation--Visit to Duke of Argyll--to Ulva--He meets Dr. +Duff--At launch of a Turkish frigate--At Hamilton--Goes to Bath to +British Association--Delivers an Address--Dr. Colenso--At funeral of +Captain Speke--Bath speech offends the Portuguese--Charges of +Lacerda--He visits Mr. and Mrs. Webb-at Newstead--Their great +hospitality--The Livingstone room--He spends eight months there writing +his book--He regains elasticity and playfulness--His book--Charles +Livingstone's share--He uses his influence for Dr. Kirk--Delivers a +lecture At Mansfield--Proposal made to him by Sir R. Murchison to return +to Africa--Letter from Sir Roderick--His reply--He will not cease to be +a missionary--Letter to Mr. James Young--Overtures from Foreign +Office--Livingstone displeased--At dinner of Royal Academy--His speech +not reported--President Lincoln's assassination--Examination by +Committee of House of Commons--His opinion on the capacity of the +negro--He goes down to Scotland--_Tom Brown's School Days_--His mother +very ill--She rallies--He goes to Oxford--Hears of his mother's +death--Returns--He attends examination of Oswell's school--His +speech--Goes to London, preparing to leave--Parts from Mr. and Mrs. +Webb--Stays with Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton--Last days in England. + + +On reaching London, Dr. Livingstone took tip his quarters at the +Tavistock Hotel; but he had hardly swallowed dinner, when he was off to +call on Sir Roderick and Lady Murchison. + +"Sir Roderick took me off with him, just as I was, to Lady Palmerston's +reception. My lady very gracious--gave me tea herself. Lord Palmerston +looking well. Had two conversations with him about slave-trade. Sir +Roderick says that he is more intent on maintaining his policy on that +than on any other thing. And so is she--wonderfully fine, matronly lady. +Her daughters are grown up. Lady Shaftesbury like her mother in beauty +and grace. Saw and spoke to Sir Charles Wood about India, 'his Eastern +Empire,' as he laughingly called it. Spoke to Duke and Duchess of +Somerset. All say very polite things, and all wonderfully considerate." + +An invitation to dine with Lord Palmerston on the 29th detained him for +a few days from going down to Scotland. + +"_Monday,_ 25_th July_.--Went to Foreign Office.... Got a dress suit at +Nicol & Co.'s, and dined with Lord and Lady Dunmore. Very clever and +intelligent man, and lady very sprightly. Thence to Duchess of +Wellington's reception. A grand company--magnificent rooms. Met Lord and +Lady Colchester, Mrs. F. Peel, Lady Emily Peel, Lady de Redcliffe, Lord +Broughton, Lord Houghton, and many more whose names escaped me. Ladies +wonderfully beautiful--rich and rare were the gems they wore. + +"26_th July.--Go_ to Wimbledon with Mr. Murray, and see Sir Bartle +Frere's children.... See Lord Russell--his manner is very cold, as all +the Russells are. Saw Mr. Layard too; he is warm and frank. Received an +invitation from the Lord Mayor to dine with Her Majesty's Ministers. + +"27_th July_.--Hear the sad news that Robert is In the American army.... +Went to Lord Mayor Lawrence's to dinner...." + +With reference to the "sad news" of Robert, which made his father very +heavy-hearted during the first part of his visit home, it is right to +state a few particulars, as the painful subject found its way into +print, and was not always recorded accurately. Robert had some promising +qualities, and those who knew and understood him had good hopes of his +turning out well. But he was extremely restless, as if, to use +Livingstone's phrase, he had got "a deal of the vagabond nature from +his father;" and school-life was very irksome to him. With the view of +joining his father, he was sent to Natal, but he found no opportunity of +getting thence to the Zambesi. Leaving Natal, he found his way to +America, and at Boston he enlisted in the Federal army. The service was +as hot as could be. In one battle, two men were killed close to him by +shrapnel shell, a rifle bullet passed close to his head, and killed a +man behind him; other two were wounded close by him. His letters to his +sister expressed his regret at the course of his life, and confessed +that his troubles were due to his disobedience. So far was he from +desiring to trade on his father's name, that in enlisting he assumed +another, nor did any one in the army know whose son it was that was +fighting for the freedom of the slave. Meeting the risks of battle with +dauntless courage, he purposely abstained, even in the heat of a charge, +from destroying life. Not long after, Dr. Livingstone learned that in +one of his battles he was wounded and taken prisoner; then came a letter +from a hospital, in which he again expressed his intense desire to +travel. But his career had come to its close. He died in his nineteenth +year. His body lies in the great national cemetery of Gettysburg, in +Pennsylvania, in opening which Lincoln uttered one of those speeches +that made his name dear to Livingstone. Whatever degree of comfort or +hope his father might derive from Robert's last letters, he felt +saddened by his unsatisfactory career. Writing to his friend Moore (5th +August) he says: "I hope your eldest son will do well in the distant +land to which he has gone. My son is in the Federal army in America, and +no comfort. The secret ballast is often applied by a kind hand above, +when to outsiders we appear to be sailing gloriously with the wind." + + "29_th July_.--Called on Mr. Gladstone; he was very + affable--spoke about the Mission, and asked if I had told + Lord Russell about it.... Visited Lady Franklin and Miss + Cracroft, her niece.... Dined with Lord and Lady Palmerston, + Lady Shaftesbury, and Lady Victoria Ashley, the Portuguese + Minister, Count d'Azeglio (Sardinian Minister), Mr. + Calcraft--a very agreeable party. Mr. Calcraft and I walked + home after retiring. He is cousin to Colonel Steele; the + colonel has gone abroad with his daughter, who is delicate." + + "_Saturday, 31st July_, 1864.--Came down by the morning train + to Harburn, and met my old friend Mr. Young, who took me to + Limefield, and introduced me to a nice family." + +Dr. Livingstone's relation to Mr. Young's family was very close and +cordial. Hardly one of the many notes and letters he wrote to his friend +fails to send greetings to "Ma-James," as he liked to call Mrs. Young, +after the African fashion. It is not only the playful ease of his +letters that shows how much he felt at home with Mr. Young,--the same +thing appears from the frequency with which he sought his counsel in +matters of business, and the value which he set upon it. + + "_Sunday, 1st August_.--Went-to the U.P. church, and heard + excellent sermons. Was colder this time than on my former + visit to Scotland. + + "_2d August_.--Reached Hamilton. Mother did not know me at + first. Anna Mary, a nice sprightly child, told me that she + preferred Garibaldi buttons on her dress, as I walked down to + Dr. Loudon to thank him for his kindness to my mother. + + "_3d August_.--Agnes, Oswell, and Thomas came. I did not + recognize Tom, he has grown so much. Has been poorly a long + while; congestion of the kidney, it is said. Agnes quite + tall, and Anna Mary a nice little girl." + +The next few days were spent with his family, and in visits to the +neighborhood. He had a consultation with Professor Syme as to a surgical +operation recommended for an ailment that had troubled him ever since +his first great journey; he was strongly urged to have the operation +performed, and probably it would have been better if he had; but he +finally declined, partly because an old medical friend was against it, +but chiefly, as he told Sir* Roderick, because the matter would get into +the newspapers, and he did not like the public to be speaking of his +infirmities. On the 17th he went to Inveraray to visit the Duke of +Argyll. He was greatly pleased with his reception, and his Journal +records the most trifling details. What especially charmed him was the +considerate forethought in making him feel at his ease. "On Monday +morning I had the honor of planting two trees beside those planted by +Sir John Lawrence and the Marquis of Lansdowne, and by the Princess of +Prussia and the Crown Prince. The coach came at twelve o'clock, and I +finished the most delightful visit I ever made." + +Next day he went to Oban, and the day after by steamer to Iona and +Staffa, and thereafter to Aros, in Mull. Next day Captain Greenhill took +him in his yacht to Ulva. + +"In 1848 the kelp and potatoes failed, and the proprietor, a writer from +Stirling, reduced the population from six hundred to one hundred. None +of my family remain. The minister, Mr. Fraser, had made inquiries some +years ago, and found an old woman who remembered my grandfather living +at Uamh, or the Cave. It is a sheltered spot, with basaltic rocks +jutting out of the ground below the cave; the walls of the house remain, +and the corn and potato patches are green, but no one lives there...." + +Returning to Oban on the 24th August, "... I then came to the Crinan +Canal, and at Glasgow end thereof met that famous missionary, Dr. Duff, +from India A fine, tall, noble-looking man, with a white beard and a +twitch in his muscles which shows that the Indian climate has done its +work on him.... Home to Hamilton." + +The Highlanders everywhere claimed him; "they cheered me," he writes to +Sir Roderick, "as a man and a brother." + +The British Association was to meet at Bath this autumn, and Livingstone +was to give a lecture on Africa. It was a dreadful thought. "Worked at +my Bath speech. A cold shiver comes over me when I think of it. Ugh!" +Then he went with his daughter Agnes to see a beautiful sight, the +launching of a Turkish frigate from Mr. Napier's yard--"8000 tons weight +plunged into the Clyde, and sent a wave of its dirty water over to the +other side." The Turkish Ambassador, Musurus Pasha, was one of the party +at Shandon, and he and Livingstone traveled in the same carriage At one +of the stations they were greatly cheered by the Volunteers. "The cheers +are for you," Livingstone said to the Ambassador, with a smile. "No," +said the Turk "I am only what my master made me; you are what you made +yourself." When the party reached the Queen's Hotel, a working man +rushed across the road, seized Livingstone's hand, saying, "I must shake +your hand," clapped him on the back, and rushed back again. "You'll not +deny now," said the Ambassador, "that that's for you." + +Returning to Hamilton, he notes, on 4th September: "Church in the +forenoon to hear a stranger, in the afternoon to hear Mr. Buchan give an +excellent sermon." On 5th, 6th, 7th, he is at the speech. On 8th he +receives a most kind invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Webb of Newstead +Abbey, to make their house his home. Mr. Webb was a very old friend, a +great hunter, who had seen Livingstone at Kolobeng, and formed an +attachment to him which continued as warm as ever to the last day of +Livingstone's life. Livingstone and his daughter Agnes reach Bath on the +15th, and become the guests of Dr. and Miss Watson, of both of whom he +writes in the highest terms. + +"On Sunday, heard a good sermon from Mr. Fleming Bishop Colenso called +on me. He was very much cheered by many people; it is evident that they +admire his pluck, and consider him a persecuted man. Went to the theatre +on Monday, 19th, to deliver my address. When in the green-room, a loud +cheering was made for Bishop Colenso, and some hisses. It was a pity +that he came to the British Association, as it looks like taking sides. +Sir Charles Lyell cheered and clapped his hands in a most vigorous way. +Got over the address nicely. People very kind and indulgent--2500 +persons present, but it is a place easily spoken in." + +When Bishop Colenso moved the vote of thanks to Dr. Livingstone for his +address, occasion was taken by some narrow and not very scrupulous +journals to raise a prejudice against him. He was represented as sharing +the Bishop's theological views. For this charge there was no foundation, +and the preceding extract from his Journal will show that he felt the +Bishop's presence to be somewhat embarrassing. Dr. Livingstone was +eminently capable of appreciating Dr. Colenso's chivalrous backing of +native races in Africa, while he differed _toto coelo_ from his +theological views. In an entry in his Journal a few days later he refers +to an African traveler who had got a high reputation without deserving +it, for "he sank to the low estate of the natives, and rather admired +_Essays and Reviews_" + +The next passage we give from his Journal refers to the melancholy end +of another brother-traveler, of whom he always spoke with respect: + +"23d _Sept_.--Went to the funeral of poor Captain Speke, who, when out +shooting on the 15th, the day I arrived at Bath, was killed by the +accidental discharge of his gun. It was a sad shock to me, for, having +corresponded with him, I anticipated the pleasure of meeting him, and +the first news Dr. Watson gave me was that of his death. He was buried +at Dowlish, a village where his family have a vault. Captain Grant, a +fine fellow, put a wreath or immortelle upon the coffin as it passed us +in church. It was composed of mignonette and wild violets." + +The Bath speech gave desperate offense to the Portuguese. Livingstone +thought it a good sign, wrote playfully to Mr. Webb that they were +"cussin' and swearin' dreadful," and wondered if they would keep their +senses when the book came out. In a postscript to the preface to _The +Zambesi and its Tributaries_, he says, "Senhor Lacerda has endeavored +to extinguish the facts adduced by me at Bath by a series of papers in +the Portuguese official journal; and their Minister for Foreign Affairs +has since devoted some of the funds of his Government to the translation +and circulation of Senhor Lacerda's articles in the form of an English +tract." He replies to the allegations of the pamphlet on the main +points. But he was too magnanimous to make allusion to the shameless +indecency of the personal charges against himself. "It is manifest," +said Lacerda, "without the least reason to doubt, that Dr. Livingstone, +under the pretext of propagating the Word of God (this being the least +in which he employed himself) and the advancement of geographical and +natural science, made all his steps and exertions subservient to the +idea of ... eventually causing the loss to Portugal of the advantages of +the rich commerce of the interior, and in the end, when a favorable +occasion arose that of the very territory itself." Lacerda then quoted +the bitter letter of Mr. Rowley in illustration of Livingstone's plans +and methods, and urged remonstrance as a duty of the Portuguese +Government. "Nor," he continued, "ought the Government o£ Portugal to +stop here. It ought, as we have said, to go further; because from what +his countrymen say of Livingstone--and to which he only answers by a +mere vain negation,--from what he unhesitatingly declares of himself and +his intentions, and from what must be known to the Government by private +information from, their delegates, it is obvious that such men as +Livingstone may become extremely prejudicial to the interests of +Portugal, especially when resident in a public capacity in our African +possessions, if not efficiently watched, if their audacious and +mischievous actions are not restrained. If steps are not taken in a +proper and effective manner, so that they may be permitted only to do +good, if indeed good can come from such," etc. + + "26_th Sept_.--Agnes and I go to-day to Newstead Abbey, + Notts. Reach it about 9 P.M., and find Mr. and Mrs. Webb all + I anticipated and more. A splendid old mansion with a + wonderful number of curiosities in it, and magnificent + scenery around. It was the residence of Lord Byron, and his + furniture is kept" [in his private rooms] "just as he left + it. His character does not shine. It appears to have been + horrid.... He made a drinking cup of a monk's skull found + under the high altar, with profane verses on the silver + setting, and kept his wine in the stone coffin. These Mrs. + Webb buried, and all the bones she could find that had been + desecrated by the poet." + +In a letter to Sir Thomas Maclear he speaks of the poet as one of those +who, like many others--some of them travelers who abused +missionaries,--considered it a fine thing to be thought awfully +bad fellows. + + "27_th_.--Went through the whole house with our kind hosts, + and saw all the wonders, which would require many days + properly to examine.... + + "2_d October_.--Took Communion in the chapel of the Abbey. + God grant me to be and always to act as a true Christian. + + "3_d._--Mr. and Mrs. Webb kindness itself personified. A + blessing be on them and their children from the Almighty!" + +When first invited to reside at Newstead Abbey, Dr. Livingstone +declined, on the ground that he was to be busy writing a book, and that +he wished to have some of his children with him, and in the case of +Agnes, to let her have music lessons. His kind friends, however, were +resolved that these reasons should not stand in the way, and +arrangements were made by them accordingly. Dr. Livingstone continued to +be their guest for eight months, and received from them all manner of +assistance. Sometimes Mr. and Mrs. Webb, Mrs. Goodlake (Mrs. Webb's +mother), and his daughter Agnes would all be busy copying his journals. +The "Livingstone room," as it is called, in the Sussex tower, is likely +to be associated with his name while the building lasts. It was his +habit to rise early and work at his book, to return to his task after +breakfast and continue till luncheon and in the afternoon have a long +walk with Mr. Webb. It is only when the book is approaching its close +that we find him working "till two in the morning." One of his chief +recreations was in the field of natural history, watching experiments +with the spawning of trout. He endeared himself to all, high and low; +was a special favorite with the children, and did not lose opportunities +to commend, in the way he thought best, those high views of life and +duty which had been so signally exemplified in his own career. The +playfulness of his nature found full and constant scope at Newstead; he +regained an almost boyish flow of animal spirits, reveled in fun and +frolic in his short notes to friends like Mr. Young, or Mr. Webb when he +happened to be absent; wrote in the style of Mr. Punch, and called his +opponents by ludicrous names; yet never forgot the stern duty that +loomed before him, or allowed the enjoyment and _abandon_ of the moment +to divert him from the death-struggle on behalf of Africa in which he +had yet to engage. + +The book was at first to be a little one,--a blast of the trumpet +against the monstrous slave-trade of the Portuguese; but it swelled to a +goodly octavo, and embraced the history of the Zambesi Expedition. +Charles Livingstone had written a full diary, and in order that his name +might be on the title-page, and he might have the profits of the +American edition, his journal was made use of in the writing of the +book; but the arrangement was awkward; sometimes Livingstone forgot the +understanding of joint-authorship, and he found that he could more +easily have written the whole from the foundation, At first it was +designed that the book should appear early in the summer of 1865, but +when the printing was finished the map was not ready; and the +publication had to be delayed till the usual season in autumn. + +The entries in his Journal are brief, and of little general interest +during the time the book was getting ready. Most of them have reference +to the affairs of other people. As he finds that Dr. Kirk is unable to +undertake a work on the botany and natural history of the Expedition, +unless he should hold some permanent situation, he exerts himself to +procure a Government appointment for him, recommending him strongly to +Sir R. Murchison and others, and is particularly gratified by a reply to +his application from the Earl of Dalhousie, who wrote that he regarded +his request as a command. He is pleased to learn that, through the kind +efforts of Sir Roderick, his brother Charles has been appointed Consul +at Fernando Po. He sees the American Minister, who promises to do all he +can for Robert, but almost immediately after, the report comes that poor +Robert has died in a hospital in Salisbury, North Carolina. He delivers +a lecture at the Mechanics' Institute at Mansfield, but the very idea of +a speech always makes him ill, and in this case it brings on an attack +of Hæmorrhoids, with which he had not been troubled for long. He goes to +London to a meeting of the Geographical Society, and hears a paper of +Burton's--a gentleman from whose geographical views he dissents, as he +does from his views on subjects more important. In regard to his book he +says very little; four days, he tells us, were spent in writing the +description of the Victoria Falls; and on the 15th April, 1865, he +summons his daughter Agnes to take his pen and write FINIS at the end of +his manuscript. On leaving Newstead on the 25th, he writes, "Parted with +our good friends the Webbs. And may God Almighty bless and reward them +and their family!" + +Some time before this, a proposal was made to him by Sir Roderick +Murchison which in the end gave a new direction to the remaining part of +his life. It was brought before him in the following letter: + + "_Jan._ 5, 1865. + + "MY DEAR LIVINGSTONE:--As to _your future_, I am anxious to + know what _your own wish is_ as respects a renewal of African + exploration. + + "Quite irrespective of missionaries or political affairs, + there is at this moment a question of intense geographical + interest to be settled: namely, the watershed, or watersheds, + of South Africa. + + "How, if you would really like to be the person to finish off + your remarkable career by completing such a survey, + unshackled by other avocations than those of the geographical + explorer, I should be delighted to consult my friends of the + Society, and take the best steps to promote such an + enterprise. + + "For example, you might take your little steamer to the + Rovuma, and, getting up by water as far as possible in the + rainy season, then try to reach the south end of the + Tanganyika. Thither you might transport a light boat, or + build one there, and so get to the end of that sheet + of water. + + "Various questions might be decided by the way, and if you + could get to the west, and come out on that coast, or should + be able to reach the White Nile (!), you would bring back an + unrivaled reputation, and would have settled all the great + disputes now pending. + + "If you do not like to undertake _the purely geographical + work_, I am of opinion that no one, after yourself, is so + fitted to carry it out as Dr. Kirk. I know that he thinks of + settling down now at home. But if he could delay this + home-settlement for a couple of years, he would not only make + a large sum of money by his book of travels, but would have a + renown that would give him an excellent introduction as a + medical man. + + "I have heard you so often talk of the enjoyment you feel + when in Africa, that I cannot believe you now think of + anchoring for the rest of your life on the mud and sand-banks + of England. + + "Let me know your mind on the subject. When is the book to + appear? Kind love to your daughter.--Yours sincerely, + + "ROD'CK I. MURCHISON." + +Livingstone begins his answer by assuring Sir Roderick that he never +contemplated settling down quietly in England; it would be time enough +for that when he was in his dotage. "I should like the exploration you +propose very much, and had already made up my mind to go up the Rovuma, +pass by the head of Lake Nyassa, and away west or northwest as might be +found practicable." He would have been at this ere now, but his book +chained him, and he feared that he could not take back the "Lady Nyassa" +to Africa, with the monsoon against him, so that be must get a boat to +explore the Rovuma. + + "What my inclination leads me to prefer is to have + intercourse with the people, and do what I can by talking, to + enlighten them on the slave-trade, and give them some idea of + our religion. It may not be much that I can do, but I feel + when doing that I am not living in vain. You remember that + when, to prevent our coming to a standstill, I had to turn + skipper myself, the task was endurable only because I was + determined that no fellow should prove himself indispensable + to our further progress. To be debarred from spending most of + my time in traveling, in exploration, and continual + intercourse with the natives, I always felt to be a severe + privation, and if I can get a few hearty native companions, I + shall enjoy myself, and feel that I am doing my duty. As soon + as my book is out, I shall start." + +In Livingstone's Journal, 7th January, 1865, we find this entry: +"Answered Sir Roderick about going out. Said I could only feel in the +way of duty by working as a missionary." The answer is very noteworthy +in the view of what has so often been said against Livingstone--that he +dropped the missionary to become an explorer. To understand the precise +bearing of the proposal, and of Livingstone's reply, it is necessary to +say that Sir Roderick had a conviction, which he never concealed, that +the missionary enterprise encumbered and impeded the geographical. He +had a special objection to an Episcopal mission, holding that the +planting of a Bishop and staff on territory dominated by the Portuguese +was an additional irritant, rousing ecclesiastical jealousy, and +bringing it to the aid of commercial and political apprehensions as to +the tendency of the English enterprise. Neither mission nor colony could +succeed in the present state of the country; they could only be a +trouble to the geographical explorer. On this point Livingstone held his +own views. He could only feel in the line of duty as a missionary. +Whatever he might or might not be able to do in that capacity, he would +never abandon it, and, in particular, he would never come under an +obligation to the Geographical Society that he would serve them +"unshackled by other avocations than those of the geographical +explorer." + +A letter to Mr. James Young throws light on the feelings with which he +regarded Sir Roderick's proposal: + + "_20th January, 1865_--I am not sure but I told you already + that Sir Roderick and I have been writing about going out, + and my fears that I must sell 'Lady Nyassa,' because the + monsoon will be blowing from Africa to India before I get + out, and it won't do for me to keep her idle. I must go down + to the Seychelles Islands (tak' yer speks and keek at the map + or gougrafy), then run my chance to get over by a dhow or + man-of-war to the Rovuma, going up that river in a boat, till + we get to the cataracts, and the tramp. I must take Belochees + from India, and may go down the lake to get Makololo, if the + Indians don't answer. I would not consent to go simply as a + geographer, but as a missionary, and do geography by the way, + because I feel I am in the way of duty when trying either to + enlighten these poor people, or open their land to lawful + commerce." + +It was at this time that Mr. Hayward, Q.C., while on a visit to +Newstead, brought an informal message from Lord Palmerston, who wished +to know what he could do for Livingstone. Had Livingstone been a vain +man, wishing a handle to his name, or had he even been bent on getting +what would be reasonable in the way of salary for himself, or of +allowance for his children, now was his chance of accomplishing his +object. But so single-hearted was he in his philanthropy that such +thoughts did not so much as enter his mind; there was one thing, and one +only, which he wished Lord Palmerston to secure--free access to the +highlands, by the Zambesi and Shiré, to be made good by a treaty with +Portugal. It is satisfactory to record that the Foreign Office has at +last made arrangements to this effect. + +While the proposal on the part of the President of the Geographical +Society was undergoing consideration, certain overtures were made to Dr. +Livingstone by the Foreign Office. On the 11th of March he called at the +office, at the request of Mr. Layard, who propounded a scheme that he +should have a commission giving him authority over the chiefs, from the +Portuguese boundary to Abyssinia and Egypt; the office to carry no +salary. When a formal proposal to this effect was submitted to him, with +the additional proviso that he was to be entitled to no pension, he +could not conceal his irritation. For himself he was just as willing as +ever to work as before, without hope of earthly recompense, and to +depend on the petition, "Give us this day our daily bread;" but he +thought it ungenerous to take advantage of his well-known interest in +Africa to deprive him of the honorarium which the most insignificant +servant of Her Majesty enjoyed. He did not like to be treated like a +charwoman. As for the pension, he had never asked it, and counted it +offensive to be treated as if he had shown a greed which required to be +repressed. It came out, subsequently, that the letter had been written +by an underling, but when Earl Russell was appealed to, he would only +promise a salary when Dr. Livingstone should have settled somewhere! The +whole transaction had a very ungracious aspect. + +Before publishing his book, Dr. Livingstone had asked Sir Roderick +Murchison's advice as to the wisdom of speaking his mind on two somewhat +delicate points. In reply, Sir Roderick wrote: "If you think you have +been too hard as to the Bishop or the Portuguese, you can modify the +phrases. But I think that the truth ought to be known, if only in +vindication of your own conduct, and to account for the little success +attending your last mission." + +We continue our extracts from his Journal: + + "_26th April_, 1865.--In London. Horrified by news of + President Lincoln's assassination, and the attempt to + murder Seward." + + "_29th April_.--Went down to Crystal Palace, with Agnes, to a + Saturday Concert. The music very fine. Met Waller, and lost a + train. Came up in hot haste to the dinner of the Royal + Academy.... Sir Charles Eastlake, President; Archbishops of + Canterbury and York on each side of the chair; all the + Ministers present, except Lord Palmerston, who is ill of gout + in the hand. Lord Russell, Lord Granville, and Duke of + Somerset sat on other side of table from Sir Henry Holland, + Sir Roderick, and myself. Lord Clarendon was close enough to + lean back and clap me on the shoulder, and ask me when I was + going out. Duke of Argyll, Bishops of Oxford and London, were + within earshot; Sir J. Romilly, the Master of the Rolls, was + directly in front, on the other side of our table. He said + that he watched all my movements with great interest.... Lord + Derby made a good speech. The speeches were much above the + average. I was not told that I was expected to speak till I + got in, and this prevented my eating. When Lord John Manners + complimented me after my speech, I mentioned the effect the + anticipation had on me. To comfort me he said that the late + Sir Robert Peel never enjoyed a dinner in these + circumstances, but sat crumbling up his bread till it became + quite a heap on the table.... My speech was not reported." + + "_2d May_.--Met Mr. Elwin, formerly editor of the + _Quarterly_. He said that Forster, one of our first-class + writers, had told him that the most characteristic speech was + not reported, and mentioned the heads--as, the slave-trade + being of the same nature as thuggee, garrotting; the tribute + I paid to our statesmen; and the way that Africans have been + drawn, pointing to a picture of a woman spinning. This + non-reporting was much commented on, which might, if I needed + it, prove a solace to my wounded vanity. But I did not feel + offended. Everything good for me will be given, and I take + all as a little child from its father. + + "Heard a capital sermon from Dr. Hamilton [Regent Square + Church], on President Lincoln's assassination. 'It is + impossible but that offenses will come,' etc. He read part of + the President's address at second inauguration. In the light + of subsequent events it is grand. If every drop of blood shed + by the lash must be atoned for by an equal number of white + men's vital fluid,--righteous, O Lord, are Thy judgments! The + assassination has awakened universal sympathy and + indignation, and will lead to more cordiality between the + countries. The Queen has written an autograph letter to Mrs. + Lincoln, and Lords and Commons have presented addresses to + Her Majesty, praying her to convey their sentiments of horror + at the fearful crime." + + "_18th May,_ 1865.--Was examined by the Committee [of the + House of Commons] on the West Coast; was rather nervous and + confused, but let them know pretty plainly that I did not + agree with the aspersions cast on missions." + +In a letter to Mr. Webb, he writes _à propos_ of this examination: + + "The monstrous mistake of the Burton school is this: they + ignore the point-blank fact that the men that do the most for + the mean whites are the same that do the most for the mean + blacks, and you never hear one mother's son of them say, You + do wrong to give to the whites. I told the Committee I had + heard people say that Christianity made the blacks worse, but + did not agree with them. I might have said it was 'rot,' and + truly. I can stand a good deal of bosh, but to tell me that + Christianity makes people worse--ugh! Tell that to the young + trouts. You know on what side I am, and I shall stand to my + side, Old Pam fashion, through thick and thin. I don't agree + with all my side say and do. I won't justify many things, but + for the great cause of human progress I am heart and soul, + _and so are you_." + +Dr. Livingstone was asked at this time to attend a public meeting on +behalf of American freedom. It was not in his power to go, but, in +apologizing, he was at pains to express his opinion on the capacity of +the negro, in connection with what was going on in the United States: + + "Our kinsmen across the Atlantic deserve our warmest + sympathy. They have passed, and are passing, through trials, + and are encompassed with difficulties which completely dwarf + those of our Irish famine, and not the least of them is the + question, what to do with those freedmen for whose existence + as slaves in America our own forefathers have so much to + answer. The introduction of a degraded race from a barbarous + country was a gigantic evil, and if the race cannot be + elevated, an evil beyond remedy. Millions can neither be + amalgamated nor transported, and the presence of degradation + is a contagion which propagates itself among the more + civilized. But I have no fears as to the mental and moral + capacity of the Africans for civilization and upward + progress. We who suppose ourselves to have vaulted at one + bound to the extreme of civilization, and smack our lips so + loudly over our high elevation, may find it difficult to + realize the debasement to which slavery has sunk those men, + or to appreciate what, in the discipline of the sad school of + bondage, is in a state of freedom real and substantial + progress. But I, who have been intimate with Africans who + have never been defiled by the slave-trade, believe them to + be capable of holding an honorable rank in the family of + man." + +Wherever slavery prevailed, or the effects of slavery were found, Dr. +Livingstone's testimony against it was clear and emphatic. Neither +personal friendship nor any other consideration under the sun could +repress it. When his friends Sir Roderick and Mr. Webb afterward +expressed their sympathy with Governor Eyre, of Jamaica, he did not +scruple to tell them how different an estimate he had formed of the +Governor's conduct. + +We continue our extracts from his Journal and letters: + + _24th May._--Came down to Scotland by last night's train; + found mother very poorly; and, being now eighty-two, I fear + she may not have long to live among us." + + _27th May_ (to Mr. Webb)--"I have been reading _Tom Brown's + School Days_--a capital book. Dr. Arnold was a man worth his + weight in something better than gold. You know Oswell" [his + early friend] "was one of his Rugby boys. One could see his + training in always doing what was brave and true and right." + + "_2d June._--Tom better, but kept back in his education by + his complaint. Oswell getting on well at school at Hamilton. + Anna Mary well. Mother gradually becoming weaker. Robert we + shall never hear of again in this world, I fear; but the Lord + is merciful and just and right in all his ways. He would hear + the cry for mercy in the hospital at Salisbury. I have lost + my part in that gigantic struggle which the Highest guided to + a consummation never contemplated by the Southerners when + they began; and many other have borne more numerous losses." + + "_5th June_.--Went about a tombstone for my dear Mary. Got a + good one of cast-iron to be sent out to the Cape. + + "Mother very low.... Has been a good affectionate mother to + us all. The Lord be with her.... Whatever is good for me and + mine the Lord will give. + + "To-morrow, Communion in kirk. The Lord strip off all + imperfections, wash away all guilt, breathe love and goodness + through all my nature, and make his image shine out from + my soul. + + "Mother continued very low, and her mind ran on poor Robert. + Thought I was his brother, and asked me frequently, 'Where is + your brother? where is that puir laddie?'... Sisters most + attentive.... Contrary to expectation she revived, and I went + to Oxford. The Vice-Chancellor offered me the theatre to + lecture in, but I expected a telegram if any change took + place on mother. Gave an address to a number of friends in + Dr. Daubeny's chemical class-room." + + "_Monday, 19th June_.--A telegram came, saying that mother + had died the day before. I started at once for Scotland. No + change was observed till within an hour and a half of her + departure.... Seeing the end was near, sister Agnes said, + 'The Saviour has come for you, mother. You can "lippen" + yourself to him?' She replied, 'Oh yes.' Little Anna Mary was + help up to her. She gave her the last look, and said 'Bonnie + wee lassie,' gave a few long inspirations, and all was still, + with a look of reverence on her countenance. She had wished + William Logan, a good Christian man, to lay her head in the + grave, if I were not there. When going away in 1858, she said + to me that she would have liked one of her laddies to lay her + head in the grave. It so happened that I was there to pay the + last tribute to a dear good mother." + +The last thing we find him doing in Scotland is attending the +examination of Oswell's school, with Anna Mary, and seeing him receive +prizes. Dr. London, of Hamilton, the medical attendant and much-valued +friend of the Livingstones, furnishes us with a reminiscence of this +occasion. He had great difficulty in persuading Livingstone to go. The +awful bugbear was that he would be asked to make a speech. Being assured +that it would be thought strange if, in a gathering of the children's +parents, he were absent, he agreed to go. And of course he had to speak. +What he said was pointed and practical, and in winding up, he said he +had just two things to say to them--"FEAR GOD, AND WORK HARD." These +appear to have been Livingstone's last public words in his +native Scotland. + +His Journal is continued in London: + + "8_th August_.--Went to Zoological Gardens with Mr. Webb and + Dr. Kirk; then to lunch with Miss Coutts" [Baroness Burdett + Coutts]. "Queen Emma of Honolulu is to be there. It is not + fair for High Church people to ignore the labors of the + Americans, for [the present state of Christianity] is the + fruit of their labors, and not of the present Bishop. Dined + at Lady Franklin's with Queen Emma; a nice, sensible person + the Queen seems to be. + + "9_th August_.--Parted with my friends Mr. and Mrs. Webb at + King's Cross station to-day. He gracefully said that he + wished I had been coming rather than going away, and she + shook me very cordially with both hands, and said, 'You will + come back again to us, won't you?' and shed a womanly tear. + The good Lord bless and save them both, and have mercy on + their whole household!" + + "11_th August_.--Went down to say good-bye to the + Duchess-Dowager of Sutherland, at Maidenhead. Garibaldi's + rooms are shown; a good man he was, but followed by a crowd + of harpies who tried to use him for their own purposes.... He + was so utterly worn out by shaking hands, that a detective + policeman who was with him in the carriage, put his hand + under his cloak, and did the ceremony for him. + + "Took leave at Foreign Office. Mr. Layard very kind in his + expressions at parting, and so was Mr. Wylde. + + "12_th August_.--"Went down to Wimbledon to dine with Mr. + Murray, and take leave. Mr. and Mrs. Oswell came up to say + farewell. He offers to go over to Paris at any time to bring + Agnes" [who was going to school there] "home, or do anything + that a father would. ["I love him," Livingstone writes to Mr. + Webb, "with true affection, and I believe he does the same to + me; and yet we never show it."] + + "We have been with Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton for some time--good, + gracious people. The Lord bless them and their household! Dr. + Kirk and Mr. Waller go down to Folkestone to-morrow, and take + leave of us there. This is very kind. The Lord puts it into + their hearts to show kindness, and blessed be his name." + +Dr. Livingstone's last weeks in England were passed under the roof of +the late Rev. Dr. Hamilton, author of _Life in Earnest_, and could +hardly have been passed in a more congenial home. Natives of the same +part of Scotland, nearly of an age, and resembling each other much in +taste and character, the two men drew greatly to each other. The same +Puritan faith lay at the basis of their religious character, with all +its stability and firmness. But above all, they had put on charity, +which is the bond of perfectness. In Natural History, too, they had an +equal enthusiasm. In Dr. Hamilton, Livingstone found what he missed in +many orthodox men. On the evening of his last Sunday, he was prevailed +on to give an address in Dr. Hamilton's church, after having in the +morning received the Communion with the congregation. In his address he +vindicated his character as a missionary, and declared that it was as +much as ever his great object to proclaim the love of Christ, which they +had been commemorating that day. His prayers made a deep impression; +they were like the communings of a child with his father. At the railway +station, the last Scotch hands grasped by him were those of Dr. and Mrs. +Hamilton. The news of Dr. Hamilton's death was received by Livingstone a +few years after, in the heart of Africa, with no small emotion. Their +next meeting was in the better land. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +FROM ENGLAND TO BOMBAY AND ZANZIBAR. + +A.D. 1865-1866. + +Object of new journey--Double scheme--He goes to Paris with Agnes--Baron +Hausmann--Anecdote at Marseilles--He reaches Bombay--Letter to +Agnes--Reminiscences of Dr. Livingstone at Bombay by Rev. D.C. Boyd--by +Alex. Brown, Esq.--Livingstone's dress--He visits the caves of +Kenhari--Rumors of murder of Baron van der Decken--He delivers a lecture +at Bombay--Great success--He sells the "Lady Nyassa"--Letter to Mr. +Young--Letter to Anna Mary--Hears that Dr. Kirk has got an +appointment--Sets out for Zanzibar in "Thule"--Letter to Mr. Young--His +experience at sea--Letter to Agnes--He reaches Zanzibar--Calls on +Sultan--Presents the "Thule" to him from Bombay Government--Monotony of +Zanzibar life--Leaves in "Penguin" for the continent. + + +The object for which Dr. Livingstone set out on his third and last great +African journey is thus stated in the preface to _The Zambesi and its +Tributaries:_ "Our Government have supported the proposal of the Royal +Geographical Society made by my friend Sir Roderick Murchison, and have +united with that body to aid me in another attempt to open Africa to +civilizing influences, and a valued private friend has given a thousand +pounds for the same object. I propose to go inland, north of the +territory which the Portuguese in Europe claim, and endeavor to commence +that system on the East which has been so eminently successful on the +West Coast: a system combining the repressive efforts of Her Majesty's +cruisers with lawful trade and Christian missions--the moral and +material results of which have been so gratifying. I hope to ascend the +Rovuma, or some other river north of Cape Delgado, and, in addition to +my other work, shall strive, by passing along the northern end of Lake +Nyassa, and round the southern end of Lake Tanganyika, to ascertain the +watershed of that part of Africa." + +The first part of the scheme was his own, the second he had been urged +to undertake by the Geographical Society. The sums in aid contributed by +Government and the Geographical society were only £500 each; but it was +not thought that the work would occupy a long time. The Geographical +Society coupled their contribution with some instructions as to +observations and reports which seemed to Dr. Livingstone needlessly +stringent, and which certainly ruffled his relation to the Society. The +honorary position of Consul at large he was willing to accept for the +sake of the influence which it gave him, though still retaining his +opinion of the shabbiness which had so explicitly bargained that he was +to have no salary and to expect no pension. + +The truth is, if Livingstone had not been the most single-minded and +trustful of men, he would never have returned to Africa on such terms. +The whole sum placed at his disposal was utterly inadequate to defray +the cost of the Expedition, and support his family at home. Had it not +been for promises that were never fulfilled, he would not have left his +family at this time as he did. But in nothing is the purity of his +character seen more beautifully than in his bearing toward some of those +who had gained not a little consideration by their connection with him, +and had made him fair promises, but left him to work on as best he +might. No trace of bitter feeling disturbed him or abated the strength +of his love and confidence. + +Dr Livingston went first to Paris with his daughter, and left her there +for education. Passing on he reached Marseilles on the 19th August, and +wrote her a few lines, in which he informed her that the man who was now +transforming Paris [Baron Hausmann] was a Protestant, and had once +taught a Sunday-school in the south of France; and that probably he had +greater pleasure in the first than in the second work. The remark had a +certain applicability to his own case, and probably let out a little of +his own feeling; it showed at least his estimate of the relative place +of temporal and spiritual philanthropy. The prayer that followed was +expressive of his deepest feelings toward his best-beloved on earth: +"May the Almighty qualify you to be a blessing to those around you, +wherever your lot is cast. I know that you hate all that is mean and +false. May God make you good, and to delight in doing good to others. If +you ask He will give abundantly. The Lord bless you!" + +From a Bombay gentleman who was his fellow-traveler to India a little +anecdote has casually come to our knowledge illustrating the +unobtrusiveness of Livingstone--his dislike to be made a lion of. At the +_table-d'hôte_ of the hotel in Marseilles, where some Bombay merchants +were sitting, the conversation turned on Africa in connection with +ivory--an extensive article of trade in Bombay. One friend dropped the +remark, "I wonder where that old chap Livingstone is now." To his +surprise and discomfiture, a voice replied, "Here he is." They were fast +friends all through the voyage that followed. Little of much interest +happened during that voyage. Livingstone writes that Palgrave was in +Cairo when he passed through, but he did not see him. Of Baker he could +hear nothing. Miss Tinné, the Dutch lady, of whom he thought highly as a +traveler, had not been very satisfactory to the religious part of the +English community at Cairo. Miss Whately was going home for six weeks, +but was to be back to her Egyptian Ragged School. He saw the end of the +Lesseps Canal, about the partial opening of which they were making a +great noise. Many thought it would succeed, though an Egyptian Commodore +had said to him, "It is hombog." The Red Sea was fearfully hot and +steamy. The "Lady Nyassa" hung like a millstone around his neck, and he +was prepared to sell her for whatever she might bring. Bombay was +reached on 11th September. + + TO AGNES LIVINGSTONE. + + "_Bombay, 20th Sept_., 1865.--... By advice of the Governor, + I went up to Nassick to see if the Africans there under + Government instruction would suit my purpose as members of + the Expedition. I was present at the examination of a large + school under Mr. Price by the Bishop of Bombay. It is partly + supported by Government. The pupils (108) are not exclusively + African, but all showed very great proficiency. They excelled + in music. I found some of the Africans to have come from + parts I know--one from Ndonde on the Rovuma--and all had + learned some handicraft, besides reading, writing, etc., and + it is probable that some of them will go back to their own + country with me. Eight have since volunteered to go. Besides + these I am to get some men from the 'Marine Battalion,' who + have been accustomed to rough it in various ways, and their + pensions will be given to their widows if they should die. + The Governor (Sir Bartle Frere) is going to do what he can + for my success. + + "After going back to Bombay I came up to near Poonah, and am + now at Government House, the guest of the Governor. + + "Society here consists mainly of officers and their wives.... + Miss Frere, in the absence of Lady Frere, does the honors of + the establishment, and very nicely she does it. She is very + clever, and quite unaffected--very like her father.... + + "Christianity is gradually diffusing itself, leavening as it + were in various ways the whole mass. When a man becomes a + professor of Christianity, he is at present cast out, + abandoned by all his relations, even by wife and children. + This state of things makes some who don't care about + Christian progress say that all Christian servants are + useless. They are degraded by their own countrymen, and + despised by others, but time will work changes. Mr. Maine, + who came out here with us, intends to introduce a law whereby + a convert deserted by his wife may marry again. It is in + accordance with the text in Corinthians--If an unbelieving + wife depart, let her depart. People will gradually show more + sympathy with the poor fellows who come out of heathenism, + and discriminate between the worthy and unworthy. You should + read Lady Buff Gordon's _Letters from, Egypt_. They show a + nice sympathizing heart, and are otherwise very interesting. + She saw the people as they are. Most people see only the + outsides of things.... Avoid all nasty French novels. They + are very injurious, and effect a lasting injury on the mind + and heart. I go up to Government House again three days + hence, and am to deliver two lectures,--one at Poonah and one + at Bombay." + +Some slight reminiscences of Livingstone at Bombay, derived from +admiring countrymen of his own, will not be out of place, considering +that the three or four months spent there was the last period of his +life passed in any part of the dominions of Great Britain. + +The Rev. Dugald C. Boyd, of Bombay (now of Portsoy, Banffshire), an +intimate friend of Dr. Stewart, of Lovedale, writing to a correspondent +on 10th October, 1865, says: + + "Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of meeting Livingstone + at dinner in a very quiet way.... It was an exceedingly + pleasant evening. Dr. Wilson was in great 'fig,' and + Livingstone was, though quiet, very communicative, and + greatly disposed to talk about Africa.... I had known Mrs. + Livingstone, and I had known Robert and Agnes, his son and + daughter, and I had known Stewart. He spoke very kindly of + Stewart, and seems to hope that he may yet join him in + Central Africa.... He is much stouter, better, and + healthier-looking than he was last year.... + + "12_th October_.--Livingstone was at the _tamasha_ yesterday. + He was dressed very unlike a minister--more like a + post-captain or admiral. He wore a blue dress-coat, trimmed + with lace, and bearing a Government gilt button. In his hand + he carried a cocked hat. At the Communion on Sunday (he sat + on Dr. Wilson's right hand, who sat on my right) he wore a + blue surtout, with Government gilt buttons, and + shepherd-tartan trousers; and he had a gold band round his + cap[67]. I spent two hours In his society last evening at + Dr. Wilson's. He was not very complimentary to Burton. He is + to lecture in public this evening." + +[Footnote 67: Dr, Livingstone's habit of dressing as a layman, and +accepting the designation of David Livingstone, Esquire, as readily as +that of the Rev. Dr. Livingstone, probably helped to propagate the idea +that he had sunk the missionary in the explorer. The truth, however, is, +that from the first he wished to be a lay missionary, not under any +Society, and it was only at the instigation of his friends that he +accepted ordination. He had an intense dislike of what was merely +professional and conventional, and he thought that as a free-lance he +would have more influence. Whether in this he sufficiently appreciated +the position and office of one set aside by the Church for the service +of the gospel may be a question: but there can be no question that he +had the same view of the matter from first to last. He would have worn a +blue dress and gilt buttons, if it had been suitable, as readily as any +other, at the most ardent period of his missionary life. His heart was +as truly that of a missionary under the Consul's dress as it had ever +been when he wore black, or whatever else he could get, in the wilds of +Africa. At the time of his encounter with the lion he wore a coat of +tartan, and he thought that that material might have had some effect in +preventing the usual irritating results of a lion's bite.] + +Another friend, Mr. Alexander Brown, now of Liverpool, sends a brief +note of a very delightful excursion given by him, in honor of +Livingstone, to the caves of Kennery or Kenhari, in the island of +Salsette. There was a pretty large party. After leaving the railway +station, they rode on ponies to the caves. + + "We spent a most charming day in the caves, and the wild + jungle around them. Dr. Wilson, you may believe, was in his + element, pouring forth volumes of Oriental lore in connection + with the Buddhist faith and the Kenhari caves, which are + among the most striking and interesting monuments of it in + India. They are of great extent, and the main temple is in + good preservation. Doctor Livingstone's almost boyish + enjoyment of the whole thing impressed me greatly. The stern, + almost impassive, man seemed to unbend, and enter most + thoroughly into the spirit of a day in which pleasure and + instruction, under circumstances of no little interest, were + so delightfully combined." + +At Bombay he heard disquieting tidings of the Hanoverian traveler, Baron +van der Decken. In his Journal he says: + + "29_th December_, 1865.--The expedition of the Baron van der + Decken has met with a disaster up the Juba. He had gone up + 300 miles, and met only with the loss of his steam launch. He + then ran his steamer on two rocks and made two large holes in + her bottom. The Baron and Dr. Link got out in order to go to + the chief to conciliate him. He had been led to suspect war. + Then a large party came and attacked them, killing the artist + Trenn and the chief engineer. They were beaten off, and + Lieutenant von Schift with four survivors left in the boat, + and in four days came down the stream. Thence they came in a + dhow to Zanzibar. It is feared that the Baron may be + murdered, but possibly not. It looks ill that the attack was + made after he landed. + + "My times are in thy hand, O Lord! Go Thou with me and I am + safe. And above all, make me useful in promoting Thy cause of + peace and good-will among men." + +The rumor of the Baron's death was subsequently confirmed. His mode of +treating the natives was the very opposite of Livingstone's, who +regarded the manner of his death as another proof that it was not safe +to disregard the manhood of the African people. + +The Bombay lecture was a great success. Dr. Wilson, Free Church +Missionary, was in the chair, and after the lecture tried to rouse the +Bombay merchants, and especially the Scotch ones, to help the +enterprise. Referring to the driblets that had been contributed by +Government and the Geographical Society, he proposed that in Bombay they +should raise as much as both. In his next letter to his daughter, +Livingstone tells of the success of the lecture, of the subscription, +which promised to amount to £1000 (it did not quite do so), and of his +wish that the Bombay merchants should use the money for setting up a +trading establishment in Africa. "I must first of all find a suitable +spot; then send back here to let it be known. I shall then be off in my +work for the Geographical Society, and when that is done, if I am well, +I shall come back to the first station." He goes on to speak of the +facilities he had received for transporting Indian buffaloes and other +animals to Africa, and of the extraordinary kindness and interest of Sir +Bartle Frere, and the pains he had taken to commend him to the good +graces of the Sultan of Zanzibar, then in Bombay. He speaks pleasantly +of his sojourn with Dr. Wilson and other friends. He is particularly +pleased with the management and _menu_ of a house kept by four +bachelors--and then he adds: "Your mamma was an excellent manager of the +house, and made everything comfortable. I suppose it is the habit of +attending to little things that makes such a difference in different +houses. As I am to be away from all luxuries soon, I may as well live +comfortably with the bachelors while I can." + +To Mr. James Young he writes about the "Lady Nyassa," which he had sold, +after several advertisements, but only for £2300: "The whole of the +money given for her I dedicated to the great object for which she was +built. I am satisfied at having made the effort; would of course have +preferred to have succeeded, but we are not responsible for results." In +reference to the investment of the money, it was intended ultimately to +be sunk in Government or railway securities; but meanwhile he had been +recommended to invest it in shares of an Indian bank. Most +unfortunately, the bank failed a year or two afterward; and thus the +whole of the £6000, which the vessel had cost Livingstone, vanished +into air. + +His little daughter Anna Mary had a good share of his attention at +Bombay: + + "24_th December_, 1865.--I went last night to take tea in the + house of a Hindoo gentleman who is not a professed Christian. + It was a great matter for such to eat with men not of his + caste. Most Hindoos would shrink with horror from contact + with us. Seven little girls were present, belonging to two + Hindoo families. They were from four or five to eight years + old. They were very pleasant-looking, of olive complexions. + Their hair was tied in a knot behind, with a wreath of + flowers round the knot; they had large gold ear-rings and + European dresses. One played very nicely on the piano, while + the rest sang very nicely a funny song, which shows the + native way of thinking about some of our customs. They sang + some nice hymns, and repeated some pieces, as the 'Wreck of + the Hesperus,' which was given at the examination of Oswell's + school. Then all sung, 'There is a happy land, far, far + away,' and it, with some of the Christian hymns, was + beautiful. They speak English perfectly, but with a little + foreign twang. All joined in a metrical prayer before + retiring. They have been taught all by their father, and it + was very pleasant to see that this teaching had brought out + their natural cheerfulness. Native children don't look + lively, but these were brimful of fun. One not quite as tall + as yourself brought a child's book to me, and with great glee + pointed out myself under the lion. She can read fluently, as + I suppose you can by this time now. I said that I would like + a little girl like her to go with me to Africa to sing these + pretty hymns to me there. She said she would like to go, but + should not like to have a black husband. This is Christmas + season, and to-morrow is held as the day in which our Lord + was born, an event which angels made known to men, and it + brought great joy, and proclaimed peace on earth and + good-will to men. That Saviour must be your friend, and He + will be if you ask Him so to be. He will forgive and save + you, and take you into his family." + +On New Year's Day, 1860, he writes in his Journal: "The Governor told +me that he had much pleasure in giving Dr. Kirk an appointment; he would +telegraph to him to-day. It is to be at Zanzibar, where he will be of +great use in promoting all good works." + +It had been arranged that Dr. Livingstone was to cross to Zanzibar in +the "Thule," a steamer that had formed part of the squadron of Captain +Sherard Osborn in China, and which Livingstone had now the honor of +being commissioned to present to the Sultan of Zanzibar, as a present +from Sir Bartle Frere and the Bombay Government. + +We give a few extracts from his journal at sea: + + "17_th January_.--Issued flannel to all the boys from + Nassick; the marines have theirs from Government. The boys + sing a couple of hymns every evening, and repeat the Lord's + Prayer. I mean to keep up this, and make this a Christian + Expedition, telling a little about Christ wherever we go. His + love in coming down to save men will be our theme. I dislike + very much to make my religion distasteful to others. This, + with ----'s hypocritical ostentation, made me have fewer + religious services on the Zambesi than would have been + desirable, perhaps. He made religion itself distasteful by + excessive ostentation.... Good works gain the approbation of + the world, and though there is antipathy in the human heart + to the gospel of Christ, yet when Christians make their good + works shine all admire them. It is when great disparity + exists between profession and practice that we secure the + scorn of mankind. The Lord help me to act in all cases in + this Expedition as a Christian ought!" + + "23_d January_.--My second book has been reviewed very + favorably by the _Athenæum_ and the _Saturday Review_, and by + many newspapers. Old John Crawford gives a snarl in the + _Examiner_, but I can afford that it should be so. 4800 + copies were sold on first night of Mr. Murray's sale. It is + rather a handsome volume. I hope it may do some good." + +In a letter to Mr. James Young he writes of his voyage, and discharges a +characteristic spurt of humor at a mutual Edinburgh acquaintance who had +mistaken an order about a magic lantern: + + "_At sea_, 300 _miles from Zanzibar_, 26_th January_, + 1866.--We have enjoyed fair weather in coming across the + weary waste of waters. We started on the 5th. The 'Thule,' + to be a pleasure yacht, is the most incorrigible roller ever + known. The whole 2000 miles has been an everlasting see-saw, + shuggy-shoo, and enough to tire the patience of even a + chemist, who is the most patient of all animals. I am pretty + well gifted in that respect myself, though I say it that + shouldn't say it, but that Sandy B----! The world will never + get on till we have a few of those instrument-makers hung. I + was particular in asking him to get me Scripture slides + colored, and put in with the magic lantern, and he has not + put in one! The very object for which I wanted it is thus + frustrated, and I did not open it till we were at sea. O + Sandy! Pity Burk and Hare have no successors in Auld + Reekie!... + + "You will hear that I have the prospect of Kirk being out + here. I am very glad of it, as I am sure his services will be + found invaluable on the East Coast." + +To his daughter Agnes he writes, _à propos_ of the rolling of the ship: + + "Most of the marine Sepoys were sick. You would have been a + victim unless you had tried the new remedy of a bag of + pounded ice along the spine, which sounds as hopeful as the + old cure for toothache: take a mouthful of cold water, and + sit on the fire till it boils, you will suffer no more from + toothache.... A shark took a bite at the revolving vane of + the patent log to-day. He left some pieces of the enamel of + his teeth in the brass, and probably has the toothache. You + will sympathize with him.... If you ask Mr. Murray to send, + by Mr. Conyngham, Buckland's _Curiosities of Natural + History_, and Mr. Gladstone's _Address to the Edinburgh + Students_, it will save me writing to him. When you return + home you will be scrutinized to see if you are spoiled. You + have only to act naturally and kindly to all your old friends + to disarm them of their prejudices. I think you will find the + Youngs true friends. Mrs. Williamson, of Widdieombe Hill, + near Bath, writes to me that she would like to show you her + plans for the benefit of poor orphans. If you thought of + going to Bath it might be well to get all the insight you + could into that and every other good work. It is well to be + able to take a comprehensive view of all benevolent + enterprises, and resolve to do our duty in life in some way + or other, for we cannot live for ourselves alone. A life of + selfishness is one of misery, and it is unlike that of our + blessed Saviour, who pleased not Himself. He followed not his + own will even, but the will of his Father in heaven. I have + read with much pleasure a book called _Rose Douglas_. It is + the life of a minister's daughter--with fictitious names, but + all true. She was near Lanark, and came through Hamilton. You + had better read it if you come in contact with it." + +Referring to an alarm, arising from the next house having taken fire, +of which she had written him, he adds playfully: + + "You did not mention what you considered most precious on the + night of the fire; so I dreamed that I saw one young lady + hugging a German grammar to her bosom; another with a pair of + curling tongs, a tooth-pick, and a pinafore; another with a + bunch of used-up postage stamps and autographs in a crinoline + turned upside down, and a fourth lifted up Madame Hocédé and + insisted on carrying her as her most precious baggage. Her + name, which I did not catch, will go down to posterity + alongside of the ladies who each carried out her husband from + the besieged city, and took care never to let him hear the + last on't afterward. I am so penetrated with admiration of + her that I enclose the wing of a flying-fish for her. It + lighted among us last night, while we were at dinner, coming + right through the skylight. You will make use of this fact in + the _high-flying_ speech which you will deliver to her in + French." + +Zanzibar is at length reached on the 28th January, after a voyage of +twenty-three days, tedious enough, though but half the length of the +cruise in the "Nyassa" two years before. To Agnes: + + "29_th Jan_.--We went to call to-day on the Sultan. His + Highness met us at the bottom of the stair, and as he shook + hands a brass band, which he got at Bombay, blared forth 'God + save the Queen'! This was excessively ridiculous, but I + maintained sufficient official gravity. After coffee and + sherbet we came away, and the wretched band now struck up + 'The British Grenadier,' as if the fact of my being only 5 + feet 8, and Brebner about 2 inches lower, ought not to have + suggested 'Wee Willie Winkie' as more appropriate. I was + ready to explode, but got out of sight before giving way." + +Dr. Livingstone brought a very cordial recommendation to the Sultan from +Sir Bartle Frere, and experienced much kindness at his hand. Being ill +with toothache, the Sultan could not receive the gift of the "Thule" in +person, and it was presented through his commodore. + +Livingstone was detained in Zanzibar nearly two months waiting for +H.M.S. "Penguin," which was to convey him to the mouth of the Rovuma. +Zanzibar life was very monotonous--"It is the old, old way of +living--eating, drinking, sleeping; sleeping, drinking, eating. Getting +fat; slaving-dhows coming and slaving-dhows going away; bad smells; and +kindly looks from English folks to each other." The sight of slaves in +the Zanzibar market, and the recognition of some who had been brought +from Nyassa, did not enliven his visit, though it undoubtedly confirmed +his purpose and quickened his efforts to aim another blow at the +accursed trade. Always thinking of what would benefit Africa, he writes +to Sir Thomas Maclear urging very strongly the starting of a line of +steamers between the Cape, Zanzibar, and Bombay: "It would be a most +profitable one, and would do great good, besides, in eating out the +trade in slaves." + +At last the "Penguin" came for him, and once more, and for the last +time, Livingstone left for the Dark Continent. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +FROM ZANZIBAR TO UJIJI. + +A.D. 1866-1869. + +Dr. Livingstone goes to mouth of Rovuma--His prayer--His company--His +herd of animals--Loss of his buffaloes--Good spirits when setting +out--Difficulties at Rovuma--Bad conduct of Johanna men--Dismissal of +his Sepoys--Fresh horrors of slave-trade--Uninhabited tract--He reaches +Lake Nyassa--Letter to his son Thomas--Disappointed hopes--His double +aim, to teach natives and rouse horror of slave-trade--Tenor of +religious addresses--Wikatami remains behind--Livingstone finds no +altogether satisfactory station for commerce and missions--Question of +the watershed--Was it worth the trouble?--Overruled for good to +Africa--Opinion of Sir Bartle Frere--At Marenga's--The Johanna men leave +in a body--Circulate rumor of his murder--Sir Roderick disbelieves +it--Mr. E.D. Young sent out with Search Expedition--Finds proof against +rumor--Livingstone half-starved--Loss of his goats--Review of +1866--Reflections on Divine Providence--Letter to Thomas--His dog +drowned--Loss of his medicine-chest--He feels sentence of death passed +on him--First sight of Lake Tanganyika--Detained at +Chitimba's--Discovery of Lake Moero--Occupations during detention of +1867--Great privations and difficulties--Illness--Rebellion among his +men--Discovery of Lake Bangweolo--Its oozy +banks--Detention--Sufferings--He makes for Ujiji--Very severe illness in +beginning of 1869--Reaches Ujiji--Finds his goods have been wasted and +stolen--Most bitter disappointment--His medicines, etc., at +Unyanyembe--Letter to Sultan of Zanzibar--Letters to Dr. Moffat and +his daughter. + + +On the 19th of March, fortified by a firman from the Sultan to all his +people, and praying the Most High to prosper him, "by granting him +Influence in the eyes of the heathen, and blessing his intercourse with +them," Livingstone left Zanzibar in H.M.S. "Penguin" for the mouth of +the Rovuma. His company consisted of thirteen Sepoys, ten Johanna men, +nine Nassick boys, two Shupanga men, and two Waiyau. Musa, one of the +Johanna men, had been a sailor in the "Lady Nyassa"; Susi and Amoda, +the Shupanga men, had been woodcutters for the "Pioneer"; and the two +Waiyau lads, Wikatani and Chuma, had been among the slaves rescued in +1861, and had lived for some time at the mission station at Chibisa's. +Besides these, he carried with him a sort of menagerie in a dhow--six +camels, three buffaloes and a calf, two mules, and four donkeys. What +man but Dr. Livingstone would have encumbered himself with such baggage, +and for what conceivable purpose except the benefit of Africa? The tame +buffaloes of India were taken that he might try whether, like the wild +buffaloes of Africa, they would resist the bite of the tsetse-fly; the +other animals for the same purpose. There were two words of which +Livingstone might have said, as Queen Mary said of Calais, that at his +death they would be found engraven on his heart--fever and tsetse; the +one the great scourge of man, the other of beast, in South Africa. To +help to counteract two such foes to African civilization no trouble or +expense would have been judged too great. Already he had lost nine of +his buffaloes at Zanzibar. It was a sad pity that owing to the +ill-treatment of the remaining animals by his people, who turned out a +poor lot, it could never be known conclusively whether the tsetse-bite +was fatal to them or not. + +In spite of all he had suffered in Africa, and though he was without the +company of a single European, he had, in setting out, something of the +exhilarating feeling of a young traveler starting on his first tour in +Switzerland, deepened by the sense of nobility which there is in every +endeavor to do good to others. "The mere animal pleasure of traveling in +a wild unexplored country is very great.... The sweat of one's brow is +no longer a curse when one works for God; it proves a tonic to the +system, and is actually a blessing." The Rovuma was found to have +changed greatly since his last visit, so that he had to land his goods +twenty-five miles to the north at Mikindany harbor, and find his way +down to the river farther up. The toil was fitted to wear out the +strongest of his men. Nothing could have been more grateful than the +Sunday rest. Through his Nassick boys, he tried to teach the Makondé--a +tribe that bore a very bad character, but failed; however, the people +were wonderfully civil, and, contrary to all previous usage, neither +inflicted fines nor made complaints, though the animals had done some +damage to their corn. He set this down as an answer to his prayers for +influence among the heathen. + +His vexations, however, were not long of beginning. Both the Sepoy +marines and the Nassick boys were extremely troublesome, and treated the +animals abominably. The Johanna men were thieves. The Sepoys became so +intolerable that after four months' trial he sent most of them back to +the coast. It required an effort to resist the effect of such, things, +owing to the tendency of the mind to brood over the ills of travel. The +natives were not unkindly, but food was very scarce. As they advanced, +the horrors of the slave-trade presented themselves in all their hideous +aspects. Women were found dead, tied to trees, or lying in the path shot +and stabbed, their fault having been inability to keep up with the +party, while their amiable owners, to prevent them from becoming the +property of any one else, put an end to their lives. In some instances +the captives, yet in the slave-sticks, were found not quite dead. +Brutality was sometimes seen in another form, as when some natives +laughed at a poor boy suffering from a very awkward form of hernia, +whose mother was trying to bind up the part. The slave-trade utterly +demoralized the people; the Arabs bought whoever was brought to them, +and the great extent of forest in the country favored kidnapping; +otherwise the people were honest. + +Farther on they passed through an immense uninhabited tract, that had +once evidently had a vast population. Then, in the Waiyau country, west +of Mataka's, came a splendid district 3400 feet above the sea, as well +adapted for a settlement as Magomero, but it had taken them four months +to get at it, while Magomero was reached in three weeks. The abandonment +of that mission he would never cease to regret. As they neared Lake +Nyassa, slave parties became more common. On the 8th August, 1866, they +reached the lake, which seemed to Livingstone like an old familiar +friend which he never expected to see again. He thanked God, bathed +again in the delicious water, and felt quite exhilarated. + +Writing to his son Thomas, 28th August, he says: + + "The Sepoys were morally unfit for travel, and then we had + hard lines, all of us. Food was not to be had for love or + money. Our finest cloths only brought miserable morsels of + the common grain. I trudged it the whole way, and having no + animal food save what turtle-doves and guinea-fowls we + occasionally shot, I became like one of Pharaoh's lean kine. + The last tramp [to Nyassa] brought us to a land of plenty. It + was over a very fine country, but quite depopulated.... The + principal chief, named Mataka, lives on the watershed + overhanging this, but fifty miles or more distant from this; + his town contained a thousand houses--many of them square, in + imitation of the Arabs. Large patches of English peas in full + bearing grew in the moist hollows, or were irrigated. Cattle + showed that no tsetse existed. When we arrived, Mataka was + just sending back a number of cattle and captives to their + own homes. They had been taken by his people without his + knowledge from Nyassa. I saw them by accident: there were + fifty-four women and children, about a dozen young men and + boys, and about twenty-five or thirty head of cattle. As the + act was spontaneous, it was the more gratifying to + witness.... + + "I sometimes remember you with some anxiety, as not knowing + what opening may be made for you in life.... Whatever you + feel yourself best fitted for, 'commit thy way to the Lord, + trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.' One ought + to endeavor to devote the peculiarities of his nature to his + Redeemer's service, whatever these may be." + +Resting at the lake, and working up journal, lunars, and altitudes, he +hears of the arrival of an Englishman at Mataka's, with cattle for him, +"who had two eyes behind as well as two in front--news enough for +awhile." Zoology, botany, and geology engage his attention as usual. He +tries to get across the lake, but cannot, as the slavers own all the +dhows, and will neither lend nor sell to him; he has therefore to creep +on foot round its southern end. Marks of destruction and desolation +again shock the eye--skulls and bones everywhere. At the point where the +Shiré leaves Nyassa, he could not but think of disappointed hopes--the +death of his dear wife, and of the Bishop, the increasing vigor of the +slave-trade, and the abandonment of the Universities Mission. But faith +assured him of good times coming, though he might not live to see them. +Would only he had seen through the vista of the next ten years! Bishop +Tozer done with Africa, and Bishop Steere returning to the old +neighborhood, and resuming the old work of the Universities Mission; and +his own countrymen planted his name on the promontory on which he gazed +so sorrowfully, training the poor natives in the arts of civilization, +rearing Christian households among them, and proclaiming the blessed +Gospel of the God of love! + +Invariably as he goes along, Dr. Livingstone aims at two things: at +teaching some of the great truths of Christianity, and rousing +consciences on the atrocious guilt of the slave-trade. In connection +with the former he discovers that his usual way of conducting divine +service--by the reading of prayers--does not give ignorant persons any +idea of an unseen Being; kneeling and praying with the eyes shut is +better. At the foot of the lake he goes out of his way to remonstrate +with Mukaté, one of the chief marauders of the district. The tenor of +his addresses is in some degree shaped by the practices he finds so +prevalent: + +"We mention our relationship to our Father, the guilt of selling any of +his children, the consequences:--_e.g._ it begets war, for as they +don't like to sell their own, they steal from other villagers, who +retaliate. Arabs and Waiyau, invited into the country by their selling, +foster feuds,--wars and depopulation ensue. We mention the Bible--future +state--prayer; advise union, that they would unite as one family to +expel enemies, who came first as slave-traders, and ended by leaving the +country a wilderness." + +It was about this time that Wikatani, one of the two Waiyau boys who had +been rescued from slavery, finding, as he believed or said, some +brothers and sisters on the western shore of the lake, left Livingstone +and remained with them. There had been an impression in some quarters, +that, according to his wont, Livingstone had made him his slave; to show +the contrary, he gave him his choice of remaining or going, and, when +the boy chose to remain, he acquiesced. + +Dr. Livingstone had ere now passed over the ground where, if anywhere, +he might have hoped to find a station for a commercial and missionary +settlement, independent of the Portuguese. In this hope he was rather +disappointed. The only spot he refers to is the district west of +Mataka's, which, however, was so difficult of access. Nearer the coast a +mission might be established, and to this project his mind turned +afterward; but it would not command the Nyassa district. On the whole he +preferred the Zambesi and Shiré valley, with all their difficulties. But +the Rovuma was not hopeless, and indeed, within the last few years, the +Universities Mission has occupied the district successfully. + +The geographical question of the watershed had now to be grappled with. +It is natural to ask whether this question was of sufficient importance +to engage his main energies, and justify the incalculable sacrifices +undergone by him during the remaining six years of his life. First of +all, we must remember, it was not his own scheme--it was pressed on him +by Sir Roderick Murchison and the Geographical Society; and it may +perhaps be doubted whether, had he foreseen the cost of the enterprise, +he would have deemed the object worthy of the price. But ever and anon, +he seemed to be close on what he was searching for, and certain to +secure it by just a little further effort; while as often, like the cup +of Tantalus, it was snatched from his grasp. Moreover, during a +life-time of splendid self-discipline, he had been training himself to +keep his promises, and to complete his tasks; nor could he in any way +see it his duty to break the one or leave the other unfinished. He had +undertaken to the Geographical Society to solve that problem, and he +would do it if it could be done. Wherever he went he had always some +opportunity to make known the father-hood of God and his love in Christ, +although the seed he sowed seemed seldom to take root. Then he was +gathering fresh information on the state of the country and the habits +of the people. He was especially gathering information on the accursed +slave-trade. + +This question of the watershed, too, had fascinated his mind, for he had +a strong impression that the real sources of the Nile were far higher +than any previous traveler had supposed--far higher than Lake Victoria +Nyanza, and that it would be a service to religion as well as science to +discover the fountains of the stream on whose bosom, in the dawn of +Hebrew history, Moses had floated in his ark of bulrushes. A strong +impression lurked in his mind that if he should only solve that old +problem he would acquire such influence that new weight would be given +to his pleadings for Africa; just as, at the beginning of his career, he +had wished for a commanding style of composition, to be able to rouse +the attention of the world to that ill-treated continent. + +He was strongly disposed to think that in the account of the sources +given to Herodotus by the Registrar of Minerva in the temple of Saïs, +that individual was not joking, as the father of history supposed. He +thought that in the watershed the two conical hills, Crophi and Mophi +might be found, and the fountains between them which it was impossible +to fathom; and that it might be seen that from that region there was a +river flowing north to Egypt, and another flowing south to a country +that might have been called Ethiopia. But whatever might be his views or +aims, it was ordained that in the wanderings of his last years he should +bring within the sympathies of the Christian world many a poor tribe +otherwise unknown; that he should witness sights, surpassing all he had +ever seen before of the inhumanity and horrors of the +slave-traffic--sights that harrowed his inmost soul; and that when his +final appeal to his countrymen on behalf of its victims came, not from, +his living voice but from his tomb, it should gather from a thousand +touching associations a thrilling power that would rouse the world, and +finally root out the accursed thing. + +A very valuable testimony was borne by Sir Bartle Frere to the real aims +of Livingstone, and the value of his work, especially in this last +journey, in a speech delivered in the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, 10th +November, 1876: + + "The object," he said, "of Dr. Livingstone's geographical and + scientific explorations was to lead his countrymen to the + great work of Christianizing and civilizing the millions of + Central Africa. You will recollect how, when first he came + back from his wonderful journey, though we were all greatly + startled by his achievements and by what he told us, people + really did not lay what he said much to heart. They were + stimulated to take up the cause of African discovery again, + and other travelers went out and did excellent service; but + the great fact which was from the very first upon + Livingstone's mind, and which he used to impress upon you, + did not make the impression he wished, and although a good + many people took more and more interest in the Civilization + of Africa and in the abolition of the slave-trade, which he + pointed out was the great obstacle to all progress, still it + did not come home to the people generally. It was not until + his third and last journey, when he was no more to return + among us, that the descriptions which he gave of the horrors + of the slave-trade in the interior really took hold upon the + mind of the people of this country, and made them determine + that what used to be considered the crotchet of a few + religious minds and humanitarian sort of persons, should be a + phase of the great work which this country had undertaken, to + free the African races, and to abolish, in the first place, + the slave-trade by sea, and then, as we hope, the slaving by + land." + +In September an Arab slaver was met at Marenga's, who told Musa, one of +the Johanna men, that all the country in front was full of Mazitu, a +warlike tribe; that forty-four Arabs and their followers had been killed +by them at Kasunga, and that he only had escaped. Musa's heart was +filled with consternation. It was in vain that Marenga assured him that +there were no Mazitu in the direction in which he was going, and that +Livingstone protested to him that he would give them a wide berth. The +Johanna men wanted an excuse for going back, but in such a way that, +when they reached Zanzibar, they should get their pay. They left him in +a body, and when they got to Zanzibar, circulated a circumstantial +report that he had been murdered. In December, 1866, Musa appeared at +Zanzibar, and told how Livingstone had crossed Lake Nyassa to its +western or northwestern shore, and was pushing on west or northwest, +when, between Marenga and Maklisoora, a band of savages stopped their +way, and rushed on him and his small band of followers, now reduced to +twenty. Livingstone fired twice, and killed two; but, in the act of +reloading, three Mafite leaped upon him through the smoke, one of them +felled him with an axe-cut from behind, and the blow nearly severed his +head from his body. The Johanna men fled into the thick jungle, and +miraculously escaped. Returning to the scene of the tragedy, they found +the body of their master, and in a shallow grave dug with some stakes, +they committed his remains to the ground, Many details were given +regarding the Sepoys, and regarding the after fortunes of Musa and his +companions. Under cross-examination Musa stood firmly to his story, +which was believed both by Dr. Seward and Dr. Kirk, of Zanzibar. But +when the tidings reached England, doubt was thrown on them by some of +those best qualified to judge. Mr. Edward D. Young, who had had dealings +with Musa, and knew him to be a liar, was suspicious of the story; so +was Mr. Horace Waller. Sir Roderick Murchison, too, proclaimed himself +an unbeliever, notwithstanding all the circumstantiality and apparent +conclusiveness of the tale. The country was resounding with +lamentations, the newspapers were full of obituary notices, but the +strong-minded disbelievers were not to be moved. + +Sir Roderick and his friends of the Geographical Society determined to +organize a search expedition, and Mr. E. D. Young was requested to +undertake the task. In May, 1867, all was ready for the departure of the +Expedition; and on the 25th July, Mr. E. D. Young, who was accompanied +by Mr. Faulkner, John Reid, and Patrick Buckley, cast anchor at the +mouth of the Zambesi. A steel boat named "The Search," and some smaller +boats, were speedily launched, and the party were moving up the river. +We have no space for an account of Mr. Young's most interesting journey, +not even for the detail of that wonderful achievement, the carrying of +the pieces of the "Search" past the Murchison Cataracts, and their +reconstruction at the top, without a single piece missing. The sum and +substance of Mr. Young's story was, that first, quite unexpectedly, he +came upon a man near the south end of Lake Nyassa, who had seen +Livingstone there, and who described him well, showing that he had not +crossed at the north end, as Musa had said, but, for some reason, had +come round by the south; then, the chief Marenga not only told him of +Livingstone's stay there, but also of the return of Musa, after leaving +him, without any story of his murder; also, at Mapunda, they came on +traces of the boy Wikatani, and learned his story, though they did not +see himself. The most ample proof of the falsehood of Musa's story was +thus obtained, and by the end of 1867, Mr. Young, after a most active, +gallant, and successful campaign, was approaching the shores of +England[68]. No enterprise could have brought more satisfactory results, +and all in the incredibly short period of eight months. + +[Footnote 68: See _The Search for Livingstone_, by E.D. Young: London, +1868.] + +Meanwhile, Livingstone, little thinking of all the commotion that the +knave Musa had created, was pushing on in the direction of Lake +Tanganyika. Though it was not true that he had been murdered, it was +true that he was half-starved. The want of other food compelled him to +subsist to a large extent on African maize, the most tasteless and +unsatisfying of food. It never produced the feeling of sufficiency, and +it would set him to dream of dinners he had once eaten, though dreaming +was not his habit, except when he was ill. Against his will, the thought +of delicious feasts would come upon him, making it all the more +difficult to be cheerful, with, probably, the poorest fare on which life +could be in any way maintained, To complete his misery, his four goats +were lost, so that the one comfort of his table--a little milk along +with his maize--was taken from him when most eagerly sought and valued. + +In reviewing the year 1866, he finds it less productive of results than +he had hoped for: "We now end 1866. It has not been so fruitful or +useful as I intended. Will try to do better in 1867, and be better--more +gentle and loving; and may the Almighty, to whom I commit my way, bring +my desires to pass, and prosper me! Let all the sins of '66 be blotted +out, for Jesus' sake. May He who was full of grace and truth impress his +character on mine: grace--eagerness to show favor; truth--truthfulness, +sincerity, honor--for his mercy's sake." + +Habitually brave and fearless though Livingstone was, it was not without +frequent self-stimulation, and acts of faith in unseen truth, that the +peace of his mind was maintained. In the midst of his notes of progress, +such private thoughts as the following occur from time to time: "It +seems to have been a mistake to imagine that the Divine Majesty on high +was too exalted to take any notice of our mean affairs. The great minds +among men are remarkable for the attention they bestow on minutiæ. An +astronomer cannot be great unless his mind can grasp an infinity of very +small things, each of which, if unattended to, would throw his work out. +A great general attends to the smallest details of his army. The Duke of +Wellington's letters show his constant attention to minute details. And +so with the Supreme Mind, of the universe, as He is revealed to us in +his Son. 'The very hairs of your head are all numbered,' 'A sparrow +cannot fall to the ground without your Father,' 'He who dwelleth in the +light which no man can approach unto' condescends to provide for the +minutest of our wants, directing, guarding, and assisting in each hour +and moment, with an infinitely more vigilant and excellent care than our +own utmost self-love can ever attain to. With the ever-watchful, loving +eye constantly upon me, I may surely follow my bent, and go among the +heathen in front, bearing the message of peace and good-will. All +appreciate the statement that it is offensive to our common Father to +sell and kill his children. I will therefore go, and may the Almighty +help me to be faithful!" + +Writing to his son Thomas, 1st February, 1867, he complains again of his +terrible hunger: + + The people have nothing to sell but a little millet-porridge + and mushrooms. "Woe is me! good enough to produce fine dreams + of the roast beef of old England, but nothing else. I have + become very thin, though I was so before; but now, if you + weighed me, you might calculate very easily how much you + might get for the bones. But--we got a cow yesterday, and I + am to get milk to-morrow.... I grieve to write it, poor + poodle 'Chitane' was drowned" [15th January, in the Chimbwé]; + "he had to cross a marsh a mile wide, and waist-deep.... I + went over first, and forgot to give directions about the + dog--all were too much engaged in keeping their balance to + notice that he swam among them till he died. He had more + spunk than a hundred country dogs--took charge of the whole + line of march, ran to see the first in the line, then back to + the last, and barked to haul him up; then, when he knew what + hut I occupied, would not let a country cur come in sight of + it, and never stole himself. We have not had any difficulties + with the people, made many friends, imparted a little + knowledge sometimes, and raised a protest against slavery + very widely." + +The year 1867 was signalized by a great calamity, and by two important +geographical feats. The calamity was the loss of his medicine-chest. It +had been intrusted to one of his most careful people; but, without +authority, a carrier hired for the day took it and some other things to +carry for the proper bearer, then bolted, and neither carrier nor box +could be found. "I felt," says Livingstone, "as if I had now received +the sentence of death, like poor Bishop Mackenzie." With the +medicine-chest was lost the power of treating himself in fever with the +medicine that had proved so effectual. We find him not long after in a +state of insensibility, trying to raise himself from the ground, falling +back with all his weight, and knocking his head upon a box. The loss of +the medicine-box was probably the beginning of the end; his system lost +the wonderful power of recovery which it had hitherto shown; and other +ailments--in the lungs, the feet, and the bowels, that might have been +kept under in a more vigorous state of general health, began hereafter +to prevail against him. + +The two geographical feats were--his first sight of Lake Tanganyika, and +his discovery of Lake Moero. In April he reached Lake Liemba, as the +lower part of Tanganyika was called. The scenery was wonderfully +beautiful, and the air of the whole region remarkably peaceful. The +want of medicine made an illness here very severe; on recovering, he +would have gone down the lake, but was dissuaded, in consequence of his +hearing that a chief was killing all that came that way. He therefore +returns to Chitimba's, and resolves to explore Lake Moero, believing +that there the question of the watershed would be decided, At +Chitimba's, he is detained upward of three months, in consequence of the +disturbed state of the country. At last he gets the escort of some Arab +traders, who show him much kindness, but again he is prostrated by +illness, and at length he reaches Lake Moero, 8th November, 1867. He +hears of another lake, called Bembo or Bangweolo, and to hear of it is +to resolve to see it. But he is terribly wearied with two years' +traveling without having heard from home, and he thinks he must first go +to Ujiji, for letters and stores. Meanwhile, as the traders are going to +Casembe's, he accompanies them thither. Casembe he finds to be a fierce +chief, who rules his people with great tyranny, cutting off their ears, +and even their hands, for the most trivial offenses. Persons so +mutilated, seen in his village, excite a feeling of horror. This chief +was not one easily got at, but Livingstone believed that he gained an +influence with him, only he could not quite overcome his prejudice +against him. The year 1867 ended with another severe attack of illness. + + "The chief interest in Lake Moero," says Livingstone, "is + that it forms one of a chain of lakes, connected by a river + some 500 miles in length. First of all, the Chambezé rises in + the country of Mambwé, N.E. of Molemba; it then flows + southwest and west, till it reaches lat. 11° S., and long. + 29° E., where it forms Lake Bemba or Bangweolo; emerging + thence, it assumes the name of Luapula, and comes down here + to fall into Moero. On going out of this lake it is known by + the name of Lualaba, as it flows N.W. in Rua to form another + lake with many islands, called Urengé or Ulengé. Beyond this, + information is not positive as to whether it enters Lake + Tanganyika, or another lake beyond that.... Since coming to + Casembe's, the testimony of natives and Arabs has been so + united and consistent, that I am but ten days from Lake Bemba + or Bangweolo, that I cannot doubt its accuracy." + +The detentions experienced in 1867 were long and wearisome, and +Livingstone disliked them because he was never well when doing nothing. +His light reading must have been pretty well exhausted; even _Smith's +Dictionary of the Bible_, which accompanied him in these wanderings, and +which we have no doubt he read throughout, must have got wearisome +sometimes. He occupied himself in writing letters, in the hope that +somehow or sometime he might find an opportunity of despatching them. He +took the rainfall carefully during the year, and lunars and other +observations, when the sky permitted. He had intended to make his +observations more perfect on this journey than on any previous one, but +alas for his difficulties and disappointments! A letter to Sir Thomas +Maclear and Mr. Mann, his assistant, gives a pitiful account of these: +"I came this journey with a determination to observe very carefully all +your hints as to occupations and observations, east and west, north and +south, but I have been so worried by lazy, deceitful Sepoys, and +thievish Johanna men, and indifferent instruments, that I fear the +results are very poor." He goes on to say that some of his instruments +were defective, and others went out of order, and that his time-taker, +one of his people, had no conscience, and could not be trusted. The +records of his observations, notwithstanding, indicate much care and +pains. In April, he had been very unwell, taking fits of total +insensibility, but as he had not said anything of this to his people at +home, it was to be kept a secret. + +His Journal for 1867 ends with a statement of the poverty of his food, +and the weakness to which he was reduced. He had hardly anything to eat +but the coarsest grain of the country, and no tea, coffee, or sugar. An +Arab trader, Mohamad Bogharib, who arrived at Casembe's about the same +time, presented him with a meal of vermicelli, oil, and honey, and had +some coffee and sugar; Livingstone had had none since he left Nyassa. + +The Journal for 1868 begins with a prayer that if he should die that +year, he might be prepared for it. The year was spent in the same +region, and was signalized by the discovery of Lake Bemba, or, as it may +more properly be called, Lake Bangweolo, Early in the year he heard +accounts of what interested him greatly--certain underground houses in +Rua, ranging along a mountain side for twenty miles. In some cases the +doorways were level with the country adjacent; in others, ladders were +used to climb up to them; inside they were said to be very large, and +not the work of men, but of God. He became eagerly desirous to visit +these mysterious dwellings. + +Circumstances turning out more favorable to his going to Lake Bangweolo, +Dr. Livingstone put off his journey to Ujiji, on which his men had been +counting, and much against the advice of Mohamad, his trader friend and +companion, determined first to see the lake of which he had heard so +much. The consequence was a rebellion among his men. With the exception +of five, they refused to go with him. They had been considerably +demoralized by contact with the Arab trader and his slave-gang. Dr. +Livingstone took this rebellion with wonderful placidity, for in his own +mind he could not greatly blame them. It was no wonder they were tired +of the everlasting tramping, for he was sick of it himself. He reaped +the fruit of his mildness by the men coming back to him, on his return +from the lake, and offering their services. It cannot be said of him +that he was not disposed to make any allowance for human weakness. When +recording a fault, and how he dealt with it, he often adds, +"consciousness of my own defects makes me lenient." "I also have my +weaknesses." + +The way to the lake was marked by fresh and lamentable tokens of the +sufferings of slaves. "_24th June_.--Six men-slaves were singing as if +they did not feel the weight and degradation of the slave-sticks. I +asked the cause of their mirth, and was told that they rejoiced at the +idea of 'coming back after death, and haunting and killing those who had +sold them,' Some of the words I had to inquire about; for instance, the +meaning of the words, 'to haunt and kill by spirit power,' then it was, +'Oh, you sent me off to Manga (sea-coast), but the yoke is off when I +die, and back I shall come to haunt and to kill you.' Then all joined in +the chorus, which was the name of each vendor. It told not of fun, but +of the bitterness and tears of such as were oppressed; and on the side +of the oppressors there was power. There be higher than they!" + +His discovery of Lake Bangweolo is recorded as quietly as if it had been +a mill-pond: "On the 18th July, I walked a little way out, and saw the +shores of the lake for the first time, thankful that I had come safely +hither." The lake had several inhabited islands, which Dr. Livingstone +visited, to the great wonder of the natives, who crowded around him in +multitudes, never having seen such a curiosity as a white man before. In +the middle of the lake the canoe-men whom he had hired to carry him +across refused to proceed further, under the influence of some fear, +real or pretended, and he was obliged to submit. But the most +interesting, though not the most pleasant, thing about the lake, was the +ooze or sponge which occurred frequently on its banks. The spongy places +were slightly depressed valleys, without trees or bushes, with grass a +foot or fifteen inches high; they were usually from two to ten miles +long, and from a quarter of a mile to a mile broad. In the course of +thirty geographical miles, he crossed twenty-nine, and that, too, at the +end of the fourth month of the dry season. It was necessary for him to +strip the lower part of his person before fording them, and then the +leeches pounced on him, and in a moment had secured such a grip, that +even twisting them round the fingers failed to tear them off. + +It was Dr. Livingstone's impression at this time that in discovering +Lake Bangweolo, with the sponges that fed it, he had made another +discovery--that these marshy places might be the real sources of the +three great rivers, the Nile, the Congo, and the Zambesi. A link, +however, was yet wanting to prove his theory. It had yet to be shown +that the waters that flowed from Lake Bangweolo into Lake Moero, and +thence northward by the river Lualaba, were connected with the Nile +system. Dr. Livingstone was strongly inclined to believe that this +connection existed; but toward the close of his life he had more doubts +of it, although it was left to others to establish conclusively that the +Lualaba was the Congo, and sent no branch to the Nile. + +On leaving Lake Bangweolo, detention occurred again as it had occurred +before. The country was very disturbed and very miserable, and Dr. +Livingstone was in great straits and want. Yet with a grim humor he +tells how, when lying in an open shed, with all his men around him, he +dreamed of having apartments at Mivart's Hotel. It was after much delay +that he found himself at last, under the escort of a slave-party, on the +way to Ujiji. Mr. Waller has graphically described the situation. "At +last he makes a start on the 11th of December, 1868, with the Arabs, who +are bound eastward for Ujiji. It is a motley group, composed of Mohamad +and his friends, a gang of Unyamwezi hangers-on, and strings of wretched +slaves yoked together in their heavy slave-sticks. Some carry ivory, +others copper, or food for the march, while hope and fear, misery and +villainy, may be read off on the various faces that pass in line out of +this country, like a serpent dragging its accursed folds away from the +victim it has paralyzed with its fangs." + +New Year's Day, 1869, found Livingstone laboring under a worse attack +of illness than any he had ever had before. For ten weeks to come his +situation was as painful as can be conceived. A continual cough, night +and day, the most distressing weakness, inability to walk, yet the +necessity of moving on, or rather of being moved on, in a kind of litter +arranged by Mohamad Bogharib,--where, with his face poorly protected +from the sun, he was jolted up and down and sideways, without medicine +or food for an invalid,--made the situation sufficiently trying. His +prayer was that he might hold out to Ujiji, where he expected to find +medicines and stores, with the rest and shelter so necessary in his +circumstances. So ill was he, that he lost count of the days of the week +and the month. "I saw myself lying dead in the way to Ujiji, and all the +letters I expected there--useless. When I think of my children, the +lines ring through my head perpetually: + + "'I shall look into your faces, + And listen to what you say; + And be often very near you + When you think I'm far away.'" + +On the 26th February, 1869, he embarked in a canoe on Tanganyika, and on +the 14th March he reached the longed-for Ujiji, on the eastern shore of +the lake. To complete his trial, he found that the goods he expected had +been made away with in every direction. A few fragments were about all +he could find. Medicines, wine, and cheese had been left at Unyanyembe, +thirteen days distant. A war was raging on the way, so that they could +not be sent for till the communications were restored. + +To obviate as far as possible the recurrence of such a disaster to a new +store of goods which he was now asking Dr. Kirk to send him, Livingstone +wrote a letter to the Sultan of Zanzibar, 20th April, 1869, in which he +frankly and cordially acknowledged the benefit he had derived from the +letter of recommendation his Highness had given him, and the great +kindness of the Arabs, especially Mohamad Bogharib, who had certainly +saved his life. Then he complains of the robbery of his goods, chiefly +by one Musa bin Salim, one of the people of the Governor of Unyanyembe, +who had bought ivory with the price, and another man who had bought a +wife. Livingstone does not expect his cloth and beads to be brought +back, or the price of the wife and ivory returned, but he says: + +"I beg the assistance of your authority to prevent a fresh stock of +goods, for which I now send to Zanzibar, being plundered in the same +way. Had it been the loss of ten or twelve pieces of cloth only, I +should not have presumed to trouble your Highness about the loss; but 62 +pieces or gorahs out of 80, besides beads, is like cutting a man's +throat. If one or two guards of good character could be sent by you, no +one would plunder the pagasi next time. + +"I wish also to hire twelve or fifteen good freemen to act as canoe-men +or porters, or in any other capacity that may be required. I shall be +greatly obliged if you appoint one of your gentlemen who knows the +country to select that number, and give them and their headman a charge +as to their behavior. If they know that you wish them to behave well it +will have great effect. I wish to go down Tanganyika, through Luanda and +Chowambe, and pass the river Karagwe, which falls into Lake Chowambe. +Then come back to Ujiji, visit Manyuema and Rua, and then return to +Zanzibar, when I hope to see your Highness in the enjoyment of health +and happiness." + +Livingstone showed only his usual foresight in taking these precautions +for the protection of his next cargo of goods. In stating so plainly his +intended route, his purpose was doubtless to prevent carelessness in +executing his orders, such as might have arisen had it been deemed +uncertain where he was going, and whether or not he meant to return +by Zanzibar. + +Of letters during the latter part of this period very few seem to have +reached their destination. A short letter to Dr. Moffat, bearing date +"Near Lake Moero, March, 1868," dwells dolefully on his inability to +reach Lake Bemba in consequence of the flooded state of the country, and +then his detention through the strifes of the Arabs and the natives. The +letter, however, is more occupied with reviewing the past than narrating +the present. In writing to Dr. Moffat, he enters more minutely than he +would have done with a less intimate and sympathetic friend into the +difficulties of his lot--difficulties that had been increased by some +from whom he might have expected other things. He had once seen a map +displayed in the rooms of the Geographical Society, substantially his +own, but with another name in conspicuous letters. On the Zambesi he had +had difficulties, little suspected, of which in the meantime he would +say nothing to the public. A letter to his daughter Agnes, after he had +gone to Bangweolo, dwells also much on his past difficulties--as if he +felt that the slow progress he was making at the moment needed +explanation or apology. Amid such topics, almost involuntary touches of +the old humor occur: "I broke my teeth tearing at maize and other hard +food, and they are coming out. One front tooth is out, and I have such +an awful mouth. If you expect a kiss from me, you must take it through a +speaking-trumpet." In one respect, amid all his trials, his heart seems +to become more tender than ever--in affection for his children, and wise +and considerate advice for their guidance. In his letter to Agnes, he +adverts with some regret to a chance he lost of saying a word for his +family when Lord Palmerston sent Mr. Hayward, Q.C., to ask him what he +could do to serve him. "It never occurred to me that he meant anything +for me or my children till I was out here. I thought only of my work in +Africa, and answered accordingly." It was only the fear that his family +would be in want that occasioned this momentary regret at his +disinterested answer to Lord Palmerston. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +MANYUEMA. + +A.D. 1869-1871. + +He sets out to explore Manyuema and the river Lualaba--Loss of forty-two +letters--His feebleness through illness--He arrives at Bambarré--Becomes +acquainted with the soko or gorilla--Reaches the Luama +River--Magnificence of the country--Repulsiveness of the people--Cannot +get a canoe to explore the Lualaba--Has to return to Bambarré--Letter to +Thomas, and retrospect of his life--Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear and Mr. +Mann--Miss Tinné--He is worse in health than ever, yet resolves to add +to his programme and go round Lake Bangweolo--Letter to Agnes--Review of +the past--He sets out anew in a more northerly direction--Overpowered by +constant wet--Reaches Nyangwe--Long detention--Letter to his brother +John--Sense of difficulties and troubles--Nobility of his spirit--He +sets off with only three attendants for the Lualaba--Suspicions of the +natives--Influence of Arab traders--Frightful difficulties of the +way--Lamed by foot-sores--Has to return to Bambarré--Long and wearisome +detention--Occupations--Meditations and reveries--Death no +terror--Unparalleled position and trials--He reads his Bible from +beginning to end four times--Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear--To Agnes--His +delight at her sentiments about his coming home--Account of the +soko--Grief to hear of death of Lady Murchison--Wretched character of +men sent from Zanzibar--At last sets out with +Mohamad--Difficulties--Slave-trade most horrible--Cannot get canoes for +Lualaba--Long waiting--New plan--Frustrated by horrible massacre on +banks of Lualaba--Frightful scene--He must return to Ujiji--New +illness--Perils of journey to Ujiji--Life three times endangered in one +day--Reaches Ujiji--Shereef has sold off his goods--He is almost in +despair--Meets Henry M. Stanley and is relieved--His contributions to +Natural Science during last journeys--Professor Owen in the +_Quarterly Review_. + + +After resting for a few weeks at Ujiji, Dr. Livingstone set out, 12th +July, 1869, to explore the Manyuema country. Ujiji was not a place +favorable for making arrangements; it was the resort of the worst scum +of Arab traders. Even to send his letters to the coast was a difficult +undertaking, for the bearers were afraid he would expose their doings. +On one day he despatched no fewer than forty-two--enough, no doubt, to +form a large volume; none of these even arrived at Zanzibar, so that +they must have been purposely destroyed. The slave-traders of Urungu and +Itawa, where he had been, were gentlemen compared with those of Ujiji, +who resembled the Kilwa and Portuguese, and with whom trading was simply +a system of murder. Here lay the cause of Livingstone's unexampled +difficulties at this period of his life; he was dependent on men who +were not only knaves of the first magnitude, but who had a special +animosity against him, and a special motive to deceive, rob, and +obstruct him in every possible way. + +After considerable deliberation he decided to go to Manyuema, in order +to examine the river Lualaba, and determine the direction of its flow. +This would settle the question of the watershed, and in four or five +months, if he should get guides and canoes, his work would be done. On +setting out from Ujiji he first crossed the lake, and then proceeded +inland on foot. He was still weak from illness, and his lungs were so +feeble that to walk up-hill made him pant. He became stronger, however, +as he went on, refreshed doubtless by the interesting country through +which he passed, and the aspect of the people, who were very different +from the tribes on the coast. + +On the 21st September he arrived at Bambarré, in Manyuema, the village +of the Chief Moenékuss. He found the people in a state of great +isolation from the rest of the world, with nothing to trust to but +charms and idols,--both being bits of wood. He made the acquaintance of +the soko or gorilla, not a very social animal, for it always tries to +bite off the ends of its captor's fingers and toes. Neither is it +particularly intellectual, for its nest shows no more contrivance than +that of a cushat dove. The curiosity of the people was very great, and +sometimes it took an interesting direction. "Do people die with you?" +asked two intelligent young men. "Have you no charm against death? +Where do people go after death?" Livingstone spoke to them of the great +Father, and of their prayers to Him who hears the cry of his children; +and they thought this to be natural. + +He rested at Bambarré till the 1st of November, and then went westward +till he reached the Luamo River, and was within ten miles of its +confluence with the Lualaba. He found the country surpassingly +beautiful: "Palms crown the highest heights of the mountains, and their +gracefully-bent fronds wave beautifully in the wind. Climbers of cable +size in great numbers are hung among the gigantic trees; many unknown +wild fruits abound, some the size of a child's head, and strange birds +and monkeys are everywhere. The soil is excessively rich, and the +people, though isolated by old feuds that are never settled, +cultivate largely." + +The country was very populous, and Livingstone so excited the curiosity +of the people that he could hardly get quit of the crowds. It was not so +uninteresting to be stared at by the women, but he was wearied with the +ugliness of the men. Palm-toddy did not inspire them with any social +qualities, but made them low and disagreeable. They had no friendly +feeling for him, and could not be inspired with any. They thought that +he and his people were like the Arab traders, and they would not do +anything for them. It was impossible to procure a canoe for navigating +the Lualaba, so that there was nothing for it but to return to Bambarré, +which was reached on the 19th December, 1869. + +A long letter to his son Thomas (Town of Moenékuss, Manyuema Country, +24th September, 1869) gives a retrospect of this period, and indeed, in +a sense, of his life: + + "My dear Tom,--I begin a letter, though I have no prospect of + being able to send it off for many months to come. It is to + have something in readiness when the hurry usual in preparing + a mail does arrive. I am in the Manyuema Country, about 150 + miles west of Ujiji, and at the town of Moenekoos or + Moenékuss, a principal chief among the reputed cannibals. His + name means 'Lord of the light-gray parrot with a red tail,' + which abounds here, and he points away still further west to + the country of the real cannibals. His people laugh, and say, + 'Yes, we eat the flesh of men,' and should they see the + inquirer to be credulous, enter into particulars. A black + stuff smeared on the cheeks is the sign of mourning, and they + told one of my people who believes all they say that it is + animal charcoal made of the bones of the relatives they have + eaten. They showed him the skull of one recently devoured, + and he pointed it out to me in triumph. It was the skull of a + gorilla, here called 'soko,' and this they do eat. They put a + bunch of bananas in his way, and hide till he comes to take + them, and spear him. Many of the Arabs believe firmly in the + cannibal propensity of the Manyuema. Others who have lived + long among them, and are themselves three-fourths African + blood, deny it. I suspect that this idea must go into + oblivion with those of people who have no knowledge of fire, + of the Supreme Being, or of language. The country abounds in + food,--goats, sheep, fowls, buffaloes, and elephants: maize, + holcuserghum, cassaba, sweet potatoes, and other farinaceous + eatables, and with ground-nuts, palm-oil, palms, and other + fat-yielding nuts, bananas, plantains, sugar-cane in great + plenty. So there is little inducement to eat men, but I wait + for further evidence. + + "Not knowing how your head has fared, I sometimes feel + greatly distressed about you, and if I could be of any use I + would leave my work unfinished to aid you. But you will have + every medical assistance that can be rendered, and I cease + not to beg the Lord who healeth his people to be gracious to + your infirmity. + + "The object of my Expedition is the discovery of the sources + of the Nile. Had I known all the hardships, toil, and time + involved, I would of been of the mind of St. Mungo, of + Glasgow, of whom the song says that he let the Molendinar + Burn 'rin by,' when he could get something stronger. I would + have let the sources 'rin by' to Egypt, and never been made + 'drumly' by my plashing through them. But I shall make this + country and people better known. 'This,' Professor Owen said + to me, 'is the first step; the rest will in due time follow.' + By different agencies the Great Ruler is bringing all things + into a focus. Jesus is gathering all things unto Himself, and + He is daily becoming more and more the centre of the world's + hopes and of the world's fears. War brought freedom to + 4,000,000 of the most hopeless and helpless slaves. The world + never saw such fiendishness as that with which the Southern + slaveocracy clung to slavery. No power in this world or the + next would ever make them relax their iron grasp. The lie had + entered into their soul. Their cotton was King. With it they + would force England and France to make them independent, + because without it the English and French must starve. + Instead of being made a nation, they made a nation of the + North. War has elevated and purified the Yankees, and now + they have the gigantic task laid at their doors to elevate + and purify 4,000,000 of slaves. I earnestly hope that the + Northerners may not be found wanting in their portion of the + superhuman work. The day for Africa is yet to come. Possibly + the freed men may be an agency in elevating their fatherland. + + "England is in the rear. This affair in Jamaica brought out + the fact of a large infusion of bogiephobia in the English. + Frightened in early years by their mothers with 'Bogie + Blackman,' they were terrified out of their wits by a riot, + and the sensation writers, who act the part of the 'dreadful + boys' who frightened aunts, yelled out that emancipation was + a mistake. 'The Jamaica negroes were as savage as when they + left Africa.' They might have put it much stronger by saying, + as the rabble that attended Tom Sayers's funeral, or that + collects at every execution at Newgate. But our golden age is + not in the past. It is in the future--in the good time coming + yet for Africa and for the world. + + "The task I undertook was to examine the watershed of South + Central Africa. This was the way Sir Roderick put it, and + though he mentioned it as the wish of the Geographical + Council, I suspect it was his own idea; for two members of + the Society wrote out 'instructions' for me, and the + watershed was not mentioned. But scientific words were used + which the writers evidently did not understand. + + "The examination of the watershed contained the true + scientific mode of procedure, and Sir Roderick said to me: + 'You will be the discoverer of the sources of the Nile,' I + shaped my course for a path across the north end of Lake + Nyassa, but to avoid the certainty of seeing all my + attendants bolting at the first sight of, the wild tribes + there, the Nindi, I changed off to go round the south end, + and if not, cross the middle. What I feared for the north + took place in the south when the Johanna men heard of the + Mazitu, though we were 150 miles from the marauders, and I + offered to go due west till past their beat. They were + terrified, and ran away as soon as they saw my face turned + west. I got carriers from village to village, and got on + nicely with people who had never engaged in the slave-trade; + but it was slow work. I came very near to the Mazitu three + times, but obtained information in time to avoid them. Once + we were taken for Mazitu ourselves, and surrounded by a + crowd of excited savages. They produced a state of confusion + and terror, and men fled hither and thither with the fear of + death on them. Casembe would not let me go into his southern + district till he had sent men to see that the Mazitu, or, as + they are called in Lunda, the Watuta, had left. Where they + had been all the food was swept off, and we suffered cruel + hunger. We had goods to buy with, but the people had nothing + to sell, and were living on herbs and mushrooms. I had to + feel every step of the way, and generally was groping in the + dark. No one knew anything beyond his own district, and who + cared where the rivers ran? Casembe said, when I was going to + Lake Bangweolo: 'One piece of water was just like another (it + is the Bangweolo water), but as your chief desired you to + visit that one, go to it. If you see a traveling party going + north, join it. If not, come back to me and I will send you + safely along my path by Moero;' and gave me a man's load of a + fish like whitebait. I gradually gained more light on the + country, and slowly and surely saw the problem of the + fountains of the Nile developing before my eyes. The vast + volume of water draining away to the north made me conjecture + that I had been working at the sources of the Congo too. My + present trip to Manyuema proves that all goes to the river of + Egypt. In fact, the head-waters of the Nile are gathered into + two or three arms, very much as was depicted by Ptolemy in + the second century of our era. What we moderns can claim is + rediscovery of what had fallen into oblivion, like the + circumnavigation of Africa by the Phoenican admiral of one of + the Pharaohs, B.C. 600. He was not believed, because 'he had + the sun on his right hand in going round from east to west.' + Though to us this stamps his tale as genuine, Ptolemy was not + believed, because his sources were between 10 and 12 north + latitude, and collected into two or three great head + branches. In my opinion, his informant must have + visited them. + + "I cared nothing for money, and contemplated spending my life + as a hard-working, poor missionary. By going into the country + beyond Kuruman we pleased the Directors, but the praises they + bestowed excited envy. Mamma and you all had hard times. The + missionaries at Kuruman, and south of it, had comfortable + houses and gardens. They could raise wheat, pumpkins, maize, + at very small expense, and their gardens yielded besides + apples, pears, apricots, peaches, quinces, oranges, grapes, + almonds, walnuts, and all vegetables, for little more than + the trouble of watering. A series or droughts compelled us to + send for nearly all our food 270 miles off. Instead of help + we had to pay the uttermost farthing for everything, and got + bitter envy besides. Many have thought that I was inflated by + the praises I had lavished upon me, but I made it a rule + never to read anything of praise. I am thankful that a kind + Providence has enabled me to do what will reflect honor on my + children, and show myself a stout-hearted servant of Him from + whom comes every gift. None of you must become mean, + craven-hearted, untruthful, or dishonest, for if you do, you + don't inherit it from me. I hope that you have selected a + profession that suits your taste. It will make you hold up + your head among men, and is your most serious duty. I shall + not live long, And it would not be well to rely on my + influence. I could help you a little while living, but have + little else but what people call a great name to bequeath + afterward. I am nearly toothless, and in my second childhood. + The green maize was in one part the only food we could get + with any taste. I ate the hard fare, and was once horrified + by finding most of my teeth loose. They never fastened again, + and generally became so loose as to cause pain. I had to + extract them, and did so by putting on a strong thread with + what sailors call a clove-hitch, tie the other end to a stump + above or below, as the tooth was upper or lower, strike the + thread with a heavy pistol or stick, and the tooth dangled at + the stump, and no pain was felt. Two upper front teeth are + thus out, and so many more, I shall need a whole set of + artificials. I may here add that the Manyuema stole the + bodies of slaves which were buried, till a threat was used. + They said the hyenas had exhumed the dead, but a slave was + cast out by Banyamwezi, and neither hyenas nor men touched it + for seven days. The threat was effectual. I think that they + are cannibals, but not ostentatiously so. The disgust + expressed by native traders has made them ashamed. Women + never partook of human flesh. Eating sokos or gorillas must + have been a step in the process of teaching them to eat men. + The sight of a soko nauseates me. He is so hideously ugly, I + can conceive no other use for him than sitting for a portrait + of Satan. I have lost many months by rains, refusal of my + attendants to go into a canoe, and irritable eating ulcers on + my feet from wading in mud instead of sailing. They are + frightfully common, and often kill slaves. I am recovering, + and hope to go down Lualaba, which I would call Webb River or + Lake; touch then another Lualaba, which I will name Young's + River or Lake; and then by the good hand of our Father above + turn homeward through Karagwe. As ivory-trading is here like + gold-digging, I felt constrained to offer a handsome sum of + money and goods to my friend Mohamad Bogharib for men. It was + better to do this than go back to Ujiji, and then come over + the whole 260 miles. I would have waited there for men from + Zanzibar, but the authority at Ujiji behaved so oddly about + my letters, I fear they never went to the coast. The + worthless slaves I have saw that I was at their mercy, for no + Manyuema will go into the next district, and they behaved as + low savages who have been made free alone can. Their + eagerness to enslave and kill their own countrymen is + distressing.... + + "Give my love to Oswell and Anna Mary and the Aunties. I have + received no letter from any of you since I left home. The + good Lord bless you all, and be gracious to + you.--Affectionately yours, + + "DAVID LIVINGSTONE." + +Another letter is addressed to Sir Thomas Maclear and Mr. Mann, +September, 1869. He enters at considerable length into his reasons for +the supposition that he had discovered, on the watershed, the true +sources of the Nile. He refers in a generous spirit to the discoveries +of other travelers, mistaken though he regarded their views on the +sources, and is particularly complimentary to Miss Tinné: + + "A Dutch lady whom I never saw, and of whom I know nothing + save from scraps in the newspapers, moves my sympathy more + than any other. By her wise foresight in providing a steamer, + and pushing on up the river after the severest domestic + affliction--the loss by fever of her two aunts--till after + she was assured by Speke and Grant that they had already + discovered in Victoria Nyanza the sources she sought, she + proved herself a genuine explorer, and then by trying to go + S.W. on land. Had they not, honestly enough of course, given + her their mistaken views, she must inevitably, by boat or on + land, have reached the head-waters of the Nile. I cannot + conceive of her stopping short of Bangweolo. She showed such + indomitable pluck she must be a descendant of Van Tromp, who + swept the English Channel till killed by our Blake, and whose + tomb every Englishman who goes to Holland is sure to visit. + + "We great he-beasts say, 'Exploration was not becoming her + sex.' Well, considering that at least 1600 years have elapsed + since Ptolemy's informants reached this region, and kings, + emperors, and all the great men of antiquity longed in vain + to know the fountains, exploration does not seem to have + become the other sex either. She came much further up than + the two centurions sent by Nero Caesar. + + "I have to go down and see where the two arms unite,--the + lost city Meroe ought to be there,--then get back to Ujiji to + get a supply of goods which I have ordered from Zanzibar, + turn bankrupt after I secure them, and let my creditors catch + me if they can, as I finish up by going round outside and + south of all the sources, so that I may be sure no one will + cut me out and say he found other sources south of mine. + This is one reason for my concluding trip; another is to + visit the underground houses in stone, and the copper mines + of Katanga which have been worked for ages (Malachite). I + have still a seriously long task before me. My letters have + been delayed inexplicably, so I don't know my affairs. If I + have a salary I don't know it, though the _Daily Telegraph_ + abused me for receiving it when I had none. Of this alone I + am sure--my friends will all wish me to make a complete work + of it before I leave, and in their wish I join. And it is + better to go in now than to do it in vain afterward." + +"I have still a seriously long task before me." Yet he had lately been +worse in health and weaker than he had ever been; he was much poorer +than he expected to be, and the difficulties had proved far beyond any +he had hitherto experienced. But so far from thinking of taking things +more easily than before, he actually enlarges his programme, and +resolves to "finish up by going round outside and south of all the +sources." His spirit seems only to rise as difficulties are multiplied. + +He writes to his daughter Agnes at the same time: "You remark that you +think you could have traveled as well as Mrs. Baker, and I think so too. +Your mamma was famous for roughing it in the bush, and was never a +trouble." The allusion carries him to old days--their travels to Lake +'Ngami, Mrs. Livingstone's death, the Helmores, the Bishop, Thornton. +Then he speaks of recent troubles and difficulties, his attack of +pneumonia, from which he had not expected to recover, his annoyances +with his men, so unlike the old Makololo, the loss of his letters and +boxes, with the exception of two from an unknown donor that contained +the _Saturday Review_ and his old friend _Punch_ for 1868. Then he goes +over African travelers and their achievements, real and supposed. He +returns again to the achievements of ladies, and praises Miss Tinné and +other women. "The death-knell of American slavery was rung by a woman's +hand. We great he-beasts say Mrs. Stowe exaggerated. From what I have +seen of slavery I say exaggeration is a simple impossibility. I go with +the sailor who, on seeing slave-traders, said: 'If the devil don't catch +these fellows, we might as well have no devil at all.'" + +The year 1870 was begun with the prayer that in the course of it he +might be able to complete his enterprise, and retire through the Basango +before the end of it. In February he hears with gratitude of Mr. E.D. +Young's Search Expedition up the Shiré and Nyassa. In setting out anew +he takes a more northerly course, proceeding through paths blocked with +very rank vegetation, and suffering from choleraic illness caused by +constant wettings. In the course of a month the effects of the wet +became overpowering, and on 7th February Dr. Livingstone had to go into +winter quarters. He remained quiet till 26th June. + +In April, 1870, from "Manyuema or Cannibal Country, say 150 miles N.W. +of Ujiji," he began a letter to Sir Roderick Murchison, but changed its +destination to his brother John in Canada. He notices his Immediate +object--to ascertain where the Lualaba joined the eastern branch of the +Nile, and contrasts the lucid reasonable problem set him by Sir Roderick +with the absurd instructions he had received from some members of the +Geographical Society. "I was to furnish 'a survey on successive pages of +my journal,' 'latitudes every night,' 'hydrography of Central Africa,' +and because they voted one-fifth or perhaps one-sixth part of my +expenses, give them 'all my notes, copies if not the originals!' For +mere board and no lodgings I was to work for years and hand over the +results to them." Contrasted with such absurdities, Sir Roderick's +proposal had quite fascinated him. He had ascertained that the watershed +extended 800 miles from west to east, and had traversed it in every +direction, but at a cost which had been wearing out both to mind and +body. He drops a tear over the Universities Mission, but becomes merry +over Bishop Tozer strutting about with his crosier at Zanzibar, and in +a fine clear day getting a distant view of the continent of which he +claimed to be Bishop. He denounces the vile policy of the Portuguese, +and laments the indecision of some influential persons who virtually +upheld it. He is tickled with the generous offer of a small salary, when +he should settle somewhere, that had been made to him by the Government, +while men who had risked nothing were getting handsome salaries of far +greater amount; but rather than sacrifice the good of Africa, HE WOULD +SPEND EVERY PENNY OF HIS PRIVATE MEANS. He seems surrounded by a whole +sea of difficulties, but through all, the nobility of his spirit shines +undimmed. To persevere in the line of duty is his only conceivable +course. He holds as firmly as ever by the old anchor--"All will turn out +right at last." + +When ready, they set out on 26th June. Most of his people failed him; +but nothing daunted, he set off then with only three attendants, Susi, +Chuma, and Gardner, to the northwest for the Lualaba. Whenever he comes +among Arab traders he finds himself suspected and hated because he is +known to condemn their evil deeds. + +The difficulties by the way were terrible. Fallen trees and flooded +rivers made marching a perpetual struggle. For the first time, +Livingstone's feet failed him. Instead of healing as hitherto, when torn +by hard travel, irritating sores fastened upon them, and as he had but +three attendants, he had to limp back to Bambarré, which he reached in +the middle of July. + +And here he remained in his hut for eighty days, till 10th October, +exercising patience, harrowed by the wickedness he could not stop, +extracting information from the natives, thinking about the fountains of +the Nile, trying to do some good among the people, listening to accounts +of soko-hunting, and last, not least, reading his Bible. He did not +leave Bambarré till 16th February, 1871. From what he had seen and what +he had heard he was more and more persuaded that he was among the true +fountains of the Nile. His reverence for the Bible gave that river a +sacred character, and to throw light on its origin seemed a kind of +religious act. He admits, however, that he is not quite certain about +it, though he does not see how he can be mistaken. He dreams that in his +early life Moses may have been in these parts, and if he should only +discover any confirmation of sacred history or sacred chronology he +would not grudge all the toil and hardship, the pain and hunger, he had +undergone. The very spot where the fountains are to be found becomes +defined in his mind. He even drafts a despatch which he hopes to write, +saying that the fountains are within a quarter of a mile of each other! + +Then he bethinks him of his friends who have done noble battle with +slavery, and half in fancy, half in earnest, attaches their names to the +various waters. The fountain of the Liambai or Upper Zambesi he names +Palmerston Fountain, in fond remembrance of that good man's long and +unwearied labor for the abolition of the slave-trade. The lake formed by +the Lufira is to be Lincoln Lake, in gratitude to him who gave freedom +to four millions of slaves. The fountain of Lufira is associated with +Sir Bartle Frere, who accomplished the grand work of abolishing slavery +in Sindia, in Upper India. The central Lualaba is called the River Webb, +after the warm-hearted friend under whose roof he wrote _The Zambesi and +its Tributaries;_ while the western branch is named the Young River, to +commemorate his early instructor in chemistry and life-long friend, +James Young. "He has shed pure white light in many lowly cottages and in +some rich palaces. I, too, have shed light of another kind, and am fain +to believe that I have performed a small part in the grand revolution +which our Maker has been for ages carrying on, by multitudes of +conscious and many unconscious agents, all over the world[69]." + +[Footnote 69: See _Last Journals_. vol. ii. pp 65, 66.] + +He is by no means unaware that death may be in the cup. But, fortified +as he was by an unalterable conviction that he was in the line of duty, +the thought of death had no influence to turn him either to the right +hand or to the left. For the first three years he had a strong +presentiment that he would fall. But it had passed away as he came near +the end, and now he prayed God that when he retired it might be to his +native home. + +Probably no human being was ever in circumstances parallel to those in +which Livingstone now stood. Years had passed since he had heard from +home. The sound of his mother-tongue came to him only in the broken +sentences of Chuma or Susi or his other attendants, or in the echoes of +his own voice as he poured it out in prayer, or in some cry of +home-sickness that could not be kept in. In long pain and sickness there +had been neither wife nor child nor brother to cheer him with sympathy, +or lighten his dull hut with a smile. He had been baffled and tantalized +beyond description in his efforts to complete the little bit of +exploration which was yet necessary to finish his task. His soul was +vexed for the frightful exhibitions of wickedness around him, where "man +to man," instead of brothers, were worse than wolves and tigers to each +other. During all his past life he had been sowing his seed weeping, but +so far was he from bringing back his sheaves rejoicing, that the longer +he lived the more cause there seemed for his tears. He had not yet seen +of the travail of his soul. In opening Africa he had seemed to open it +for brutal slave-traders, and in the only instance in which he had yet +brought to it the feet of men "beautiful upon the mountains, publishing +peace," disaster had befallen, and an incompetent leader had broken up +the enterprise. Yet, apart from his sense of duty, there was no +necessity for his remaining there. He was offering himself a +freewill-offering, a living sacrifice. What could have sustained his +heart and kept him firm to his purpose in such a wilderness of +desolation? + +"I read the whole Bible through four times whilst I was in Manyuema." + +So he wrote in his Diary, not at the time, but the year after, on the 3d +October, 1871[70]. The Bible gathers wonderful interest from the +circumstances in which it is read. In Livingstone's circumstances it was +more the Bible to him than ever. All his loneliness and sorrow, the +sickness of hope deferred, the yearnings for home that could neither be +repressed nor gratified, threw a new light on the Word. How clearly it +was intended for such as him, and how sweetly it came home to him! How +faithful, too, were its pictures of human sin and sorrow! How true its +testimony against man, who will not retain God in his knowledge, but, +leaving Him, becomes vain in his imaginations and hard in his heart, +till the bloom of Eden is gone, and a waste, howling wilderness spreads +around! How glorious the out-beaming of Divine Love, drawing near to +this guilty race, winning and cherishing them with every endearing act, +and at last dying on the cross to redeem them! And how bright the +closing scene of Revelation--the new heaven and the new earth wherein +dwelleth righteousness--yes, he can appreciate _that_ attribute--the +curse gone, death abolished, and all tears wiped from the mourner's eye! + +[Footnote 70: See _Last Journals_, vol. ii. p. 154.] + +So the lonely man in his dull hut is riveted to the well-worn book; ever +finding it a greater treasure as he goes along; and fain, when he has +reached its last page, to turn back to the beginning, and gather up more +of the riches which he has left upon the road. + +To Sir Thomas Maclear and Mr. Mann he writes during his detention +(September, 1870) on a leaf of his cheque-book, his paper being done. He +gives his theory of the rivers, enlarges on the fertility of the +country, bewails his difficulty in getting men, as the Manyuema never go +beyond their own country, and the traders, who have only begun to come +there, are too busy collecting ivory to be able to spare men. "The tusks +were left in the terrible forests, where the animals were killed; the +people, if treated civilly, readily go and bring the precious teeth, +some half rotten, or gnawed by the teeth of a rodent called dezi. I +think that mad naturalists name it Aulocaudatus Swindermanus, or some +equally wise agglutination of syllables.... My chronometers are all +dead; I hope my old watch was sent to Zanzibar; but I have got no +letters for years, save some, three years old, at Ujiji. I have an +intense and sore longing to finish and retire, and trust that the +Almighty may permit me to go home." + +In one of his letters to Agnes from Manyuema he quotes some words from a +letter of hers that he ever after cherished as a most +refreshing cordial: + +"I commit myself to the Almighty Disposer of events, and if I fall, will +do so doing my duty, like one of his stout-hearted servants. I am +delighted to hear you say that, much as you wish me home, you would +rather hear of my finishing my work to my own satisfaction than come +merely to gratify you. That is a noble sentence, and I felt all along +sure that all my friends would wish me to make a complete work of it, +and in that wish, in spite of every difficulty, I cordially joined. I +hope to present to my young countrymen an example of manly perseverance. +I shall not hide from you that I am made by it very old and shaky, my +cheeks fallen in, space round the eyes ditto; mouth almost toothless,--a +few teeth that remain, out of their line, so that a smile is that of a +he-hippopotamus,--a dreadful old fogie, and you must tell Sir Roderick +that it is an utter impossibility for me to appear in public till I get +new teeth, and even then the less I am seen the better." + +Another letter to Agnes from Manyuema gives a curious account of the +young soko or gorilla a chief had lately presented to him: + + "She sits crouching eighteen inches high, and is the most + intelligent and least mischievous of all the monkeys I have + seen. She holds out her hand to be lifted and carried, and if + refused makes her face as in a bitter human weeping, and + wrings her hands quite humanly, sometimes adding a foot or + third hand to make the appeal more touching.... She knew me + at once as a friend, and when plagued by any one always + placed her back to me for safety, came and sat down on my + mat, decently made a nest of grass and leaves, and covered + herself with the mat to sleep. I cannot take her with me, + though I fear that she will die before I return, from people + plaguing her. Her fine long black hair was beautiful when + tended by her mother, who was killed. I am mobbed enough + alone; two sokos--she and I--would not have got breath. + + "I have to submit to be a gazing-stock. I don't altogether + relish it, here or elsewhere, but try to get over it + good-naturedly, get into the most shady spot of the village, + and leisurely look at all my admirers. When the first crowd + begins to go away, I go into my lodgings to take what food + may be prepared, as coffee, when I have it, or roasted maize + infusion when I have none. The door is shut, all save a space + to admit light. It is made of the inner bark of a gigantic + tree, not a quarter of an inch thick, and slides in a groove + behind a post on each side of the doorway. When partially + open it is supported by only one of the posts. Eager heads + sometimes crowd the open space, and crash goes the thin door, + landing a Manyuema beauty on the floor. 'It was not I,' she + gasps out, 'it was Bessie Bell and Jeanie Gray that shoved me + in, and--' as she scrambles out of the lion's den, 'see + they're laughing'; and; fairly out, she joins in the merry + giggle too. To avoid darkness or being half-smothered, I + often eat in public, draw a line on the ground, then 'toe the + line,' and keep them out of the circle. To see me eating with + knife, fork, and spoon is wonderful. 'See!--they don't touch + their food!--what oddities, to be sure.'... + + "Many of the Manyuema women are very pretty; their hands, + feet, limbs, and form are perfect. The men are handsome. + Compared with them the Zanzibar slaves are like London + door-knockers, which some atrocious iron-founder thought were + like lions' faces. The way in which these same Zanzibar + Mohammedans murder the men and seize the women and children + makes me sick at heart. It is not slave-trade. It is + murdering free people to make slaves. It is perfectly + indescribable. Kirk has been working hard to get this + murdersome system put a stop to. Heaven prosper his noble + efforts! He says in one of his letters to me, 'It is + monstrous injustice to compare the free people in the + interior, living under their own chiefs and laws, with what + slaves at Zanzibar afterward become by the abominable system + which robs them of their manhood. I think it is like + comparing the anthropologists with their ancestral sokos.'... + + "I am grieved to hear of the departure of good Lady + Murchison. Had I known that she kindly remembered me in her + prayers, it would have been great encouragement.... + + "The men sent by Dr. Kirk are Mohammedans, that is, + unmitigated liars. Musa and his companions are fair specimens + of the lower class of Moslems. The two head-men remained at + Ujiji, to feast on my goods, and get pay without work. Seven + came to Bambarré, and in true Moslem style swore that they + were sent by Dr. Kirk to bring me back, not to go with me, if + the country were bad or dangerous. Forward they would not go. + I read Dr. Kirk's words to them to follow wheresoever I led. + 'No, by the old liar Mohamed, they were to force me back to + Zanzibar.' After a superabundance of falsehood, it turned out + that it all meant only an advance of pay, though they had + double the Zanzibar wages. I gave it, but had to threaten on + the word of an Englishman to shoot the ringleaders before I + got them to go. They all speak of English as men who do not + lie.... I have traveled more than most people, and with all + sorts of followers. The Christians of Kuruman and Kolobeng + were out of sight the best I ever had. The Makololo, who were + very partially Christianized, were next best--honest, + truthful, and brave. Heathen Africans are much superior to + the Mohammedans, who are the most worthless one can have." + +Toward the end of 1870, before the date of this letter, he had so far +recovered that, though feeling the want of medicine as much as of men, +he thought of setting out, in order to reach and explore the Lualaba, +having made a bargain with Mohamad, for £270, to bring him to his +destination. But now he heard that Syde bin Habib, Dugumbé, and others +were on the way from Ujiji, perhaps bringing letters and medicines for +him. He cannot move till they arrive; another weary time. "Sorely am I +perplexed, and grieve and mourn." + +The New Year 1871 passes while he is at Bambarré, with its prayer that +he might be permitted to finish his task. At last, on 4th February, ten +of the men despatched to him from the coast arrive, but only to bring a +fresh disappointment. They were slaves, the property of Banians, who +were British subjects! and they brought only one letter! Forty had been +lost. There had been cholera at Zanzibar, and many of the porters sent +by Dr. Kirk had died of it. The ten men came with a lie in their mouth; +they would not help him, swearing that the Consul told them not to go +forward, but to force Livingstone back. On the 10th they mutinied, and +had to receive an advance of pay. It was apparent that they had been +instructed by their Banian masters to baffle him in every way, so that +their slave-trading should not be injured by his disclosures. Their two +head-men, Shereef and Awathe, had refused to come farther than Ujiji, +and were reveling in his goods there. Dr. Livingstone never ceased to +lament and deplore that the men who had been sent to him were so utterly +unsuitable. One of them actually formed a plot for his destruction, +which was only frustrated through his being overheard by one whom +Livingstone could trust. Livingstone wrote to his friends that owing to +the inefficiency of the men, he lost two years of time, about a thousand +pounds in money, had some 2000 miles of useless traveling, and was four +several times subjected to the risk of a violent death. + +At length, having arranged with the men, he sets out on 16th February +over a most beautiful country, but woefully difficult to pass through. +Perhaps it was hardly a less bitter disappointment to be told, on the +25th, that the Lualaba flowed west-southwest, so that after all it might +be the Congo. + +On the 29th March Livingstone arrived at Nyangwe, on the banks of the +Lualaba. This was the farthest point westward that he reached in his +last Expedition. + +The slave-trade here he finds to be as horrible as in any other part of +Africa. He is heart-sore for human blood He is threatened, bullied, and +almost attacked. In some places, however, the rumor spreads that he +makes no slaves, and he is called "the good one." His men are a +ceaseless trouble, and for ever mutinying, or otherwise harassing him. +And yet he perseveres in his old kind way, hoping by kindness to gain +influence with them. Mohamad's people, he finds, have passed him on the +west, and thus he loses a number of serviceable articles he was to get +from them, and all the notes made for him of the rivers they had passed. +The difficulties and discouragements are so great that he wonders +whether, after all, God is smiling on his work. + +His own men circulate such calumnious reports against him that he is +unable to get canoes for the navigation of the Lualaba. This leads to +weeks and months of weary waiting, and yet all in vain; but afterward he +finds some consolation on discovering that the navigation was perilous, +that a canoe had been lost from the inexperience of her crew in the +rapids, so that had he been there, he should very likely have perished, +as his canoe would probably have been foremost. + +A change of plan was necessary. On 5th July he offered to Dugumbé £400, +with all the goods he had at Ujiji besides, for men to replace the +Banian slaves, and for the other means of going up the Lomamé to +Katanga, then returning and going up Tanganyika to Ujiji. Dugumbé took a +little time to consult his friends before replying to the offer. + +Meanwhile an event occurred of unprecedented horror, that showed +Livingstone that he could not go to Lomamé in the company of Dugumbé. +Between Dugumbé's people and another chief a frightful system of +pillage, murder, and burning of villages was going on with horrible +activity. One bright summer morning, 15th July, when fifteen hundred +people, chiefly women, were engaged peacefully in marketing in a village +on the banks of the Lualaba, and while Dr. Livingstone was sauntering +about, a murderous fire was opened on the people, and a massacre ensued +of such measureless atrocity that he could describe it only by saying +that it gave him the impression of being in hell. The event was so +superlatively horrible, and had such an overwhelming influence on +Livingstone, that we copy at full length the description of it given in +the _Last Journals:_ + + "Before I had got thirty yards out, the discharge of two guns + in the middle of the crowd told me that slaughter had begun; + crowds dashed off from the place, and threw down their wares + in confusion, and ran. At the same time that the three opened + fire on the mass of people near the upper end of the + market-place, volleys were discharged from a party down near + the creek on the panic-stricken women, who dashed at the + canoes. These, some fifty or more, were jammed in the creek, + and the men forgot their paddles in the terror that seized + all. The canoes were not to be got out, for the creek was too + small for so many; men and women, wounded by the balls, + poured into them, and leaped and scrambled into the water, + shrieking A long line of heads in the river showed that great + numbers struck out for an island a full mile off; in going + toward it they had to put the left shoulder to a current of + about two miles an hour; if they had struck away diagonally + to the opposite bank, the current would have aided them, and, + though nearly three miles off, some would have gained land; + as it was, the heads above water showed the long line of + those that would inevitably perish. + + "Shot after shot continued to be fired on the helpless and + perishing. Some of the long line of heads disappeared + quietly; whilst other poor creatures threw their arms high, + as if appealing to the great Father above, and sank. One + canoe took in as many as it could hold, and all paddled with + hands and arms; three canoes, got out in haste, picked up + sinking friends, till all went down together, and + disappeared. One man in a long canoe, which could have held + forty or fifty, had clearly lost his head; he had been out in + the stream before the massacre began, and now paddled up the + river nowhere, and never looked to the drowning. By and by + all the heads disappeared; some had turned down stream toward + the bank, and escaped. Dugumbé put people into one of the + deserted vessls to save those in the water, and saved + twenty-one; but one woman refused to be taken on board, from + thinking that she was to be made a slave of; she preferred + the chance of life by swimming to the lot of a slave. The + Bagenya women are expert in the water, as they are accustomed + to dive for oysters, and those who went down stream may have + escaped, but the Arabs themselves estimated the loss of life + at between 330 and 400 souls. The shooting-party near the + canoes were so reckless, they killed two of their own people; + and a Banyamwezi follower, who got into a deserted canoe to + plunder, fell into the water, went down, then came up again, + and down to rise no more. + + "After the terrible affair in the water, the party of + Tagamoio, who was the chief perpetrator, continued to fire on + the people there, and fire their villages. As I write I hear + the loud wails on the left bank over those who are there + slain, ignorant of their many friends now in the depths of + Lualaba. Oh, let Thy kingdom come! No one will ever know the + exact loss on this bright sultry summer morning; it gave me + the impression of being in Hell. All the slaves in the camp + rushed at the fugitives on land, and plundered them; women + were for hours collecting and carrying loads of what had been + thrown down in terror." + +The remembrance of this awful scene was never effaced from Livingstone's +heart. The accounts of it published in the newspapers at home sent a +thrill of horror through the country. It was recorded at great length in +a despatch to the Foreign Secretary, and indeed, it became one of the +chief causes of the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate the +subject of the African slave-trade, and of the mission of Sir Bartle +Frere to Africa to concert measures for bringing it to an end. + +Dugumbé had not been the active perpetrator of the massacre, but, he was +mixed up with the atrocities that had been committed, and Livingstone +could have nothing to do with him. It was a great trial, for, as the +Banian men were impracticable, there was nothing for it now but to go +back to Ujiji, and try to get other men there with whom he would repeat +the attempt to explore the river. For twenty-one months, counting from +the period of their engagement, he had fed and clothed these men, all in +vain, and now he had to trudge back forty-five days, a journey equal, +with all its turnings and windings, to six hundred miles. Livingstone +was ill, and after such an exciting time he would probably have had an +attack of fever, but for another ailment to which he had become more +especially subject. The intestinal canal had given way, and he was +subject to attacks of severe internal hæmorrhage, one of which came on +him now[71]. It appeared afterward that had he gone with Dugumbé, he +would have been exposed to an assault in force by the Bakuss, as they +made an attack on the party and routed them, killing two hundred. If +Livingstone had been among them, he might have fallen in this +engagement. So again, he saw how present disappointments work for good. + +[Footnote 71: His friends say that for a considerable time before he had +been subject to the most grievous pain from hæmorrhoids. His sufferings +were often excruciating.] + +The journey back to Ujiji, begun 20th July, 1871, was a very wretched +one. Amid the universal desolation caused by the very wantonness of the +marauders, it was impossible for Livingstone to persuade the natives +that he did not belong to the same-set. Ambushes were set for him and +his company in the forest. On the 8th August they came to an ambushment +all prepared, but it had been abandoned for some unknown reason. By and +by, on the same day, a large spear flew past Livingstone, grazing his +neck; the native who flung it was but ten yards off; the hand of God +alone saved his life[72]. Farther on, another spear was thrown, which +missed him by a foot. On the same day a large tree, to which fire had +been applied to fell it, came down within a yard of him. Thus on one day +he was delivered three times from impending death. He went on through +the forest, expecting every minute to be attacked, having no fear, but +perfectly indifferent whether he should be killed or not. He lost all +his remaining calico that day, a telescope, umbrella, and five spears. +By and Thy he was prostrated with grievous illness. As soon as he could +move he went onward, but he felt as if dying on his feet. And he was +ill-rigged for the road, for the light French shoes to which he was +reduced, and which had been cut to ease his feet till they would hardly +hang together, failed to protect him from the sharp fragments of quartz +with which the road was strewed. He was getting near to Ujiji, however, +where abundant of goods and comforts were no doubt safely stowed away +for him, and the hope of relief sustained him under all his trials. + +[Footnote 72: The head of this spear is among the Livingstone relics at +Newstead Abbey.] + +At last, on the 23d October, reduced to a living skeleton, he reached +Ujiji. What was his misery, instead of finding the abundance of goods he +had expected, to learn that the wretch Shereef, to whom they had been +consigned, had sold off the whole, not leaving one yard of calico out of +3000, or one string of beads out of 700 pounds! The scoundrel had +divined on the Koran, found that Livingstone was dead, and would need +the goods no more. Livingstone had intended, if he could not get men at +Ujiji to go with him to the Lualaba, to wait there till suitable men +should be sent up from the coast; but he had never thought of having to +wait in beggary. If anything could have aggravated the annoyance, it was +to see Shereef come, without shame, to salute him, and tell him on +leaving, that he was going to pray; or to see his slaves passing from +the market with all the good things his property had bought! Livingstone +applied a term to him which he reserved for men--black or white--whose +wickedness made them alike shameless and stupid--he was a "moral idiot." + +It was the old story of the traveler who fell among thieves that robbed +him of all he had; but where was the good Samaritan? The Government and +the Geographical Society appeared to have passed by on the other side. +But the good Samaritan was not as far off as might have been thought. +One morning Syed bin Majid, an Arab trader, came to him with a generous +offer to sell some ivory and get goods for him; but Livingstone had the +old feeling of independence, and having still a few barter goods left, +which he had deposited with Mohamad bin Saleh before going to Manyuema, +he declined for the present Syed's generous offer. But the kindness of +Syed was not the only proof that he was not forsaken. Five days after he +reached Ujiji the good Samaritan appeared from another quarter. As +Livingstone had been approaching Ujiji from the southwest, another white +man had been approaching it from the east. On 28th October, 1871, Henry +Moreland Stanley, who had been sent to look for him by Mr. James Gordon +Bennett, Jr., of the _New York Herald_ newspaper, grasped the hand of +David Livingstone. An angel from heaven could hardly have been more +welcome. In a moment the sky brightened. Stanley was provided with ample +stores, and was delighted to supply the wants of the traveler. The sense +of sympathy, the feeling of brotherhood, the blessing of fellowship, +acted like a charm. Four good meals a day, instead of the spare and +tasteless food of the country, made a wonderful change on the outer man; +and in a few days Livingstone was himself again--hearty and happy and +hopeful as before. + +Before closing this chapter and entering on the last two years of +Livingstone's life, which have so lively an interest of their own, it +will be convenient to glance at the contributions to natural science +which he continued to make to the very end. In doing this, we avail +ourselves of a very tender and Christian tribute to the memory of his +early friend, which Professor Owen contributed to the _Quarterly +Review,_ April, 1875, after the publication of Livingstone's _Last +Journals_. + +Mr. Owen appears to have been convinced by Livingstone's reasoning and +observations, that the Nile sources were in the Bangweolo watershed--a +supposition now ascertained to have been erroneous. But what chiefly +attracted and delighted the great naturalist was the many interesting +notices of plants and animals scattered over the _Last Journals_. These +Journals contain important contributions both to economic and +physiological botany. In the former department, Livingstone makes +valuable observations on plants useful in the arts, such as gum-copal, +papyrus, cotton, india-rubber, and the palm-oil tree; while in the +latter, his notices of "carnivorous plants," which catch insects that +probably yield nourishment to the plant, of silicified wood and the +like, show how carefully he watched all that throws light on the life +and changes of plants. In zoölogy he was never weary of observing, +especially when he found a strange-looking animal with strange habits. +Spiders, ants, and bees of unknown varieties were brought to light, but +the strangest of his new acquaintances were among the fishy tribes. He +found fish that made long excursions on land, thanks to the wet grass +through which they would wander for miles, thus proving that "a fish out +of water" is not always the best symbol for a man out of his element. +There were fish, too, that burrowed in the earth; but most remarkable at +first sight were the fish that appeared to bring forth their young by +ejecting them from their mouths. If Bruce or Du Chaillu had made such a +statement, remarks Professor Owen, what ridicule would they not have +encountered! But Livingstone was not the man to make a statement of what +he had not ascertained, or to be content until he had found a scientific +explanation of it. He found that in the branchial openings of the fish, +there occur bags or pouches, on the same principle as the pouch of the +opossum, where the young may be lodged for a time for protection or +nourishment, and that when the creatures are discharged through the +mouth into the water, it is only from a temporary cradle where they were +probably enjoying repose, beyond the reach of enemies. + +Perhaps the greatest of Livingstone's scientific discoveries during this +journey was that "of a physical condition of the earth's surface in +elevated tracts of the great continent, unknown before." The bogs or +earth-sponges, that from his first acquaintance with them gave him so +much trouble, and at last proved the occasion of his death, were not +only remarkable in themselves, but-interesting as probably explaining +the annual inundations of most of the rivers. Wherever there was a plain +sloping toward a narrow opening in hills or higher ground, there were +the conditions for an African sponge. The vegetation falls down and +rots, and forms a rich black loam, resting often, two or three feet +thick, on a bed of pure river sand. The early rains turn the vegetation +into slush, and fill the, pools. The later rains, finding the pools +already full, run off to the rivers, and form the inundation. The first +rains occur south of the equator when the sun goes vertically over any +spot, and the second or greater rains happen in his course north again. +This, certainly, was the case as observed on the Zambesi and Shiré, and +taking the different times for the sun's passage north of the equator, +it explained the inundations of the Nile. + +Such notices show that in his love of nature, and in his careful +observation of all her agencies and processes, Livingstone, in his last +journeys, was the same as ever. He looked reverently on all plants and +animals, and on the solid earth in all its aspects and forms, as the +creatures of that same God whose love in Christ it was his heart's +delight to proclaim. His whole life, so varied in its outward +employments, yet so simple and transparent in its one great object, was +ruled by the conviction that the God of nature and the God of revelation +were one. While thoroughly enjoying his work as a naturalist, Professor +Owen frankly admits that it was but a secondary object of his life. "Of +his primary work the record is on high, and its imperishable fruits +remain on earth. The seeds of the Word of Life implanted lovingly, with +pains and labor, and above-all with faith; the out-door scenes of the +simple Sabbath service; the testimony of Him to whom the worship was +paid, given in terms of such simplicity as were fitted to the +comprehension of the dark-skinned listeners,--these seeds will not have +been scattered by him in vain. Nor have they been sown in words alone, +but in deeds, of which some part of the honor will redound to his +successors. The teaching by forgiveness of injuries,--by trust, however +unworthy the trusted,--by that confidence which imputed his own noble +nature to those whom he would win,--by the practical enforcement of the +fact that a man might promise and perform--might say the thing he +meant,--of this teaching by good deeds, as well as by the words of truth +and love, the successor who treads in the steps of LIVINGSTONE, and +accomplishes the discovery he aimed at, and pointed the way to, will +assuredly the benefit[73]." + +[Footnote 73: _Quarterly Review_, April, 1875, pp. 498, 499.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +LIVINGSTONE AND STANLEY. + +A.D. 1871-1872. + +Mr. Gordon Bennett sends Stanley in search of Livingstone--Stanley at +Zanzibar--Starts for Ujiji--Reaches Unyanyembe--Dangerous illness--War +between Arabs and natives--Narrow escape of Stanley--Approach to +Ujiji--Meeting with Livingstone--Livingstone's story--Stanley's +news--Livingstone's goods and men at Bagamoio--Stanley's accounts of +Livingstone--Refutation of foolish and calumnious charges--They go to +the north of the lake--Livingstone resolves not to go home, but to get +fresh men and return to the sources--Letter to Agnes--to Sir Thomas +Maclear--The travelers go to Unyanyembe--More plundering of +stores--Stanley leaves for Zanzibar--Stanley's bitterness of heart at +parting--Livingstone's intense gratitude to Stanley--He intrusts his +Journal to him, and commissions him to send servants and stores from +Zanzibar--Stanley's journey to the coast--Finds Search Expedition at +Bagamoio--Proceeds to England--Stanley's reception--Unpleasant +feelings--Éclaircissement--England grateful to Stanley. + + +The meeting of Stanley and Livingstone at Ujiji was as unlikely an +occurrence as could have happened, and, along with many of the earlier +events in Livingstone's life, serves to show how wonderfully an Unseen +Hand shaped and guarded his path. Neither Stanley nor the gentleman who +sent him had any personal interest in Livingstone. Mr. Bennett admitted +frankly that he was moved neither by friendship nor philanthropy, but by +regard to his business and interest as a journalist. The object of a +journal was to furnish its readers with the news which they desired to +know; the readers of the _New York Herald_ desired to know about +Livingstone; as a journalist, it was his business to find out and tell +them. Mr. Bennett determined that, cost what it might, he would find +out, and give the news to his readers. These were the very unromantic +notions, with an under-current probably of better quality, that were +passing through his mind at Paris, on the 16th October, 1869, when he +sent a telegram to Madrid, summoning Henry M. Stanley, one of the "own +correspondents" of his paper, to "come to Paris on important business." +On his arrival, Mr. Bennett asked him bluntly, "Where do you think +Livingstone is?" The correspondent could not tell--could not even tell +whether he was alive. "Well," said Mr. Bennett, "I think he is alive, +and that he may be found, and I am going to send you to find him." Mr. +Stanley was to have whatever money should be found necessary; only he +was to find Livingstone. It is very mysterious that he was not to go +straight to Africa--he was to visit Constantinople, Palestine, and Egypt +first. Then, from India, he was to go to Zanzibar; get into the +interior, and find him if alive; obtain all possible news of his +discoveries; and if he were dead, get the fact fully verified, find out +the place of his burial, and try to obtain possession of his bones, that +they might find a resting-place at home. + +It was not till January, 1871, that Stanley reached Zanzibar. To +organize an expedition into the interior was no easy task for one who +had never before set foot in Africa. To lay all his plans without +divulging his object would, perhaps, have been more difficult if it had +ever entered into any man's head to connect the _New York Herald_ with a +search for Livingstone. But indomitable vigor and perseverance +succeeded, and by the end of February and beginning of March, one +hundred and ninety-two persons in all had started in five caravans at +short intervals from Bagamoio for Lake Tanganyika, two white men being +of the party besides Stanley, with horses, donkeys, bales, boats, boxes, +rifles, etc., to an amount that made the leader of the expedition ask +himself how such an enormous weight of material could ever be carried +into the heart of Africa. + +The ordinary and extraordinary risks and troubles of travel in these +parts fell to Mr. Stanley's lot in unstinted abundance. But when +Unyanyembe was reached, the half-way station to Ujiji, troubles more +than extraordinary befell. First, a terrible attack of fever that +deprived him of his senses for a fortnight. Then came a worse trouble. +The Arabs were at war with a chief Mirambo, and Stanley and his men, +believing they would help to restore peace more speedily, sided with the +Arabs. At first they were apparently victorious, but immediately after, +part of the Arabs were attacked on their way home by Mirambo, who lay in +ambush for them, and were defeated. Great consternation prevailed. The +Arabs retreated in panic, leaving Stanley, who was ill, to the tender +mercies of the foe. Stanley, however, managed to escape. After this +experience of the Arabs in war, he resolved to discontinue his alliance +with them. As the usual way to Ujiji was blocked, he determined to try a +route more to the south. But his people had forsaken him. One of his two +English companions was dead, the other was sick and had to be sent back. +Mirambo was still threatening. It was not till the 20th September that +new men were engaged by Stanley, and his party were ready to move. + +They marched slowly, with various adventures and difficulties, until, by +Mr. Stanley's reckoning, on the 10th November (but by Livingstone's +earlier), they were close on Ujiji. Their approach created an +extraordinary excitement. First one voice saluted them in English, then +another; these were the salutations of Livingstone's servants, Susi and +Chuma. By and by the Doctor himself appeared. "As I advanced slowly +toward him," says Mr. Stanley, "I noticed he was pale, looked wearied, +had a gray beard, wore a bluish cap with a faded gold band round it, had +on a red-sleeved waistcoat and a pair of gray tweed trousers. I would +have run to him, only I was a coward in the presence of such a +mob,--would have embraced him, only he, being an Englishman, I did not +know how he would receive me; so I did what cowardice and false pride +suggested was the best thing--walked deliberately to him, took off my +hat and said, 'Dr. Livingstone, I presume?' 'Yes,' said he, with a kind +smile, lifting his cap slightly. I replace my hat on my head, and he +puts on his cap, and we both grasp hands, and then I say aloud--'I thank +God, Doctor, I have been permitted to see you.' He answered, 'I feel +thankful that I am here to welcome you.'" + +The conversation began--but Stanley could not remember what it was. "I +found myself gazing at him, conning the wonderful man at whose side I +now sat in Central Africa. Every hair of his head and beard, every +wrinkle of his face, the wanness of his features, and the slightly +wearied look he bore, were all imparting intelligence to me--the +knowledge I craved for so much ever since I heard the words, 'Take what +you want, but find Livingstone,' What I saw was deeply interesting +intelligence to me and unvarnished truth. I was listening and reading at +the same time. What did these dumb witnesses relate to me? + +"Oh, reader, had you been at my side on this day in Ujiji, how +eloquently could be told the nature of this man's work? Had you been +there but to see and hear! His lips gave me the details; lips that never +lie. I cannot repeat what he said; I was too much engrossed to take my +notebook out, and begin to stenograph his story. He had so much to say +that he began at the end, seemingly oblivious of the fact that five or +six years had to be accounted for. But his account was oozing out; it +was growing fast into grand proportions--into a most marvelous history +of deeds." + +And Stanley, too, had wonderful things to tell the Doctor. "The news," +says Livingstone, "he had to tell one who had been two full years +without any tidings from Europe made my whole frame thrill. The +terrible fate that had befallen France, the telegraphic cables +successfully laid in the Atlantic, the election of General Grant, the +death of good Lord Clarendon, my constant friend; the proof that Her +Majesty's Government had not forgotten me in voting £1000 for supplies, +and many other points of interest, revived emotions that had lain +dormant in Manyuema." As Stanley went on, Livingstone kept saying, "You +have brought me new life--you have brought me new life." + +There was one piece of news brought by Stanley to Livingstone that was +far from satisfactory. At Bagamoio, on the coast, Stanley had found a +caravan with supplies for Livingstone that had been despatched from +Zanzibar three or four months before, the men in charge of which had +been lying idle there all that time on the pretext that they were +waiting for carriers. A letter-bag was also lying at Bagamoio, although +several caravans for Ujiji had left in the meantime. On hearing that the +Consul at Zanzibar, Dr. Kirk, was coming to the neighborhood to hunt, +the party at last made off. Overtaking them at Unyanyembe, Stanley took +charge of Livingstone's stores, but was not able to bring them on; only +he compelled the letter-carrier to come on to Ujiji with his bag. At +what time, but for Stanley, Livingstone would have got his letters, +which after all were a year on the way, he could not have told. For his +stores, or such fragments of them as might remain, he had afterward to +trudge all the way to Unyanyembe. His letters conveyed the news that +Government had voted a thousand pounds for his relief, and were besides +to pay him a salary[74]. The unpleasant feeling he had had so long as to +his treatment by Government was thus at last somewhat relieved. But the +goods that had lain in neglect at Bagamoio, and were now out of reach at +Unyanyembe, represented one-half the Government grant, and would +probably be squandered, like his other goods, before he could +reach them. + +[Footnote 74: The intimation of salary was premature. Livingstone got a +pension of £800 afterward, which lasted only for a year and a half.] + +The impression made on Stanley by Livingstone was remarkably vivid; and +the portrait drawn by the American will be recognized as genuine by +every one who knows what manner of man Livingstone was: + + "I defy any one to be in his society long without thoroughly + fathoming him, for in him there is no guile, and what is + apparent on the surface is the thing that is in him.... Dr. + Livingstone is about sixty years old, though after he was + restored to health he looked like a man who had not passed + his fiftieth year. His hair has a brownish color yet, but is + here and there streaked with gray lines over the temples; his + beard and moustaches are very gray. His eyes, which are + hazel, are remarkably bright; he has a sight keen as a + hawk's. His teeth alone indicate the weakness of age; the + hard fare of Lunda has made havoc in their lines. His form, + which soon assumed a stoutish appearance, is a little over + the ordinary height, with the slightest possible bow in the + shoulders. When walking he has a firm but heavy tread, like + that of an overworked or fatigued man. He is accustomed to + wear a naval cap with a semicircular peak, by which he has + been identified throughout Africa. His dress, when first I + saw him, exhibited traces of patching and repairing, but was + scrupulously clean. + + "I was led to believe that Livingstone possessed a splenetic, + misanthropic temper; some have said that he is garrulous; + that he is demented; that he is utterly changed from the + David Livingstone whom people knew as the reverend + missionary; that he takes no notes or observations but such + as those which no other person could read but himself, and it + was reported, before I proceeded to Africa, that he was + married to an African princess. + + "I respectfully beg to differ with all and each of the above + statements. I grant he is not an angel; but he approaches to + that being as near as the nature of a living man will allow. + I never saw any spleen or misanthropy in him: as for being + garrulous, Dr. Livingstone is quite the reverse; he is + reserved, if anything; and to the man who says Dr. + Livingstone is changed, all I can say is, that he never could + have known him, for it is notorious that the Doctor has a + fund of quiet humor, which he exhibits at all times when he + is among friends." [After repudiating the charge as to his + notes, and observations, Mr. Stanley continues:] "As to the + report of his African marriage, it is unnecessary to say more + than that it is untrue, and it is utterly beneath a gentleman + even to hint at such a thing in connection with the name of + Dr. Livingstone. + + "You may take any point in Dr. Livingstone's character, and + analyze it carefully, and I would challenge any man to find a + fault in it.... His gentleness never forsakes him; his + hopefulness never deserts him. No harassing anxieties, + distraction of mind, long separation from home and kindred, + can make him complain. He thinks 'all will come out right at + last'; he has such faith in the goodness of Providence. The + sport of adverse circumstances, the plaything of the + miserable beings sent to him from Zanzibar--he has been + baffled and worried, even almost to the grave, yet he will + not desert the charge imposed upon him by his friend Sir + Roderick Murchison. To the stern dictates of duty, alone, has + he sacrificed his home and ease, the pleasures, refinements, + and luxuries of civilized life. His is the Spartan heroism, + the inflexibility of the Roman, the enduring resolution of + the Anglo-Saxon--never to relinquish his work, though his + heart yearns for home; never to surrender his obligations + until he can write FINIS to his work. + + "There is a good-natured _abandon_ about Livingstone which + was not lost on me. Whenever he began to laugh, there was a + contagion about it that compelled me to imitate him. It was + such a laugh as Teufelsdröckh's--a laugh of the whole man + from head to heel. If he told a story, he related it in such + a way as to convince one of its truthfulness; his face was so + lit up by the sly fun it contained, that I was sure the story + was worth relating, and worth listening to. + + "Another thing that especially attracted my attention was his + wonderfully retentive memory. If we remember the many years + he has spent in Africa, deprived of books, we may well think + it an uncommon memory that can recite whole poems from Byron, + Burns, Tennyson, Longfellow, Whittier, and Lowell.... + + "His religion is not of the theoretical kind, but it is a + constant, earnest, sincere practice. It is neither + demonstrative nor loud, but manifests itself in a quiet, + practical way, and is always at work. It is not aggressive, + which sometimes is troublesome if not impertinent. In him + religion exhibits its loveliest features; it governs his + conduct not only toward his servants but toward the natives, + the bigoted Mohammedans, and all who come in contact with + him. Without it, Livingstone, with his ardent temperament, + his enthusiasm, his high spirit and courage, must have become + uncompanionable, and a hard master. Religion has tamed him + and made him a Christian gentleman; the crude and willful + have been refined and subdued; religion has made him the most + companionable of men and indulgent of masters--a man whose + society is pleasurable to a degree.... + + "From being thwarted and hated in every possible way by the + Arabs and half-castes upon his first arrival at Ujiji, he + has, through his uniform kindness and mild, pleasant temper, + won all hearts. I observed that universal respect was paid to + him. Even the Mohammedans never passed his house without + calling to pay their compliments, and to say, 'The blessing + of God rest on you!' Each Sunday morning he gathers his + little flock around him, and reads prayers and a chapter from + the Bible, in a natural, unaffected, and sincere tone; and + afterward delivers a short address in the Kisawahili + language, about the subject read to them, which is listened + to with evident interest and attention." + +It was agreed that the two travelers should make a short excursion to +the north end of Lake Tanganyika, to ascertain whether the lake had an +outlet there. This was done, but it was found that instead of flowing +out, the river Lugizé flowed into the lake, so that the notion that the +lake discharged itself northward turned out to be an error. Meanwhile, +the future arrangements of Dr. Livingstone were matter of anxious +consideration. One thing was fixed and certain from the beginning: +Livingstone would not go home with Stanley. Much though his heart +yearned for home and family--all the more that he had just learned that +his son Thomas had had a dangerous accident,--and much though he needed +to recruit his strength and nurse his ailments, he would not think of it +while his work remained unfinished. To turn back to those dreary +sponges, sleep in those flooded plains, encounter anew that terrible +pneumonia which was "worse than ten fevers," or that distressing +hæmorrhage which added extreme weakness to extreme agony--might have +turned any heart; Livingstone never flinched from it. What a reception +awaited him if he had gone home to England! What welcome from friends +and children, what triumphal cheers from all the great Societies and +_savants_, what honors from all who had honors to confer, what +opportunity of renewing efforts to establish missions and commerce, and +to suppress the slave traffic! Then he might return to Africa in a year, +and finish his work. If Livingstone had taken this course, no whisper +would have been heard against it. The nobility of his soul never rose +higher, his utter abandonment of self, his entire devotion to duty, his +right honorable determination to work while it was called to-day never +shone more brightly than when he declined all Stanley's entreaties to +return home, and set his face steadfastly to go back to the bogs of the +watershed. He writes in his journal: "My daughter Agnes says, 'Much as I +wish you to come home, I had rather that you finished your work to your +own satisfaction, than return merely to gratify me.' Rightly and nobly +said, my darling Nannie; vanity whispers pretty loudly, 'She is a chip +of the old block,' My blessing on her and all the rest." + +After careful consideration of various plans, it was agreed that he +should go to Unyanyembe, accompanied by Stanley, who would supply him +there with abundance of goods, and who would then hurry down to the +coast, organize a new expedition composed of fifty or sixty faithful men +to be sent on to Unyanyembe, by whom Livingstone would be accompanied +back to Bangweolo and the sources, and then to Rua, until his work +should be completed, and he might go home in peace. + +A few extracts from Livingstone's letters will show us how he felt at +this remarkable crisis. To Agnes: + + "_Tanganyika_, 18_th November_, 1871--[After detailing his + troubles in Manyuema, the loss of all his goods at Ujiji, and + the generous offer of Syed bin Majid, he continues:] "Next I + heard of an Englishman being at Unyamyembe with boats, etc., + but who he was, none could tell. At last, one of my people + came running out of breath and shouted, 'An Englishman + coming!' and off he darted back again to meet him. An + American flag at the head of a large caravan showed the + nationality of the stranger. Baths, tents, saddles, big + kettles, showed that he was not a poor Lazarus like me. He + turned out to be Henry M. Stanley, traveling correspondent of + the _New York Herald_, sent specially to find out if I were + really alive, and, if dead, to bring home my bones. He had + brought abundance of goods at great expense, but the fighting + referred to delayed him, and he had to leave a great part at + Unyamyembe. To all he had I was made free. [In a later + letter, Livingstone says; 'He laid all he had at my service, + divided his clothes into two heaps, and pressed one heap upon + me; then his medicine-chest; then his goods and everything he + had, and to coax my appetite, often cooked dainty dishes with + his own hand.'] He came with the true American characteristic + generosity. The tears often started into my eyes on every + fresh proof of kindness. My appetite returned, and I ate + three or four times a day, instead of scanty meals morning + and evening. I soon felt strong, and never wearied with the + strange news of Europe and America he told. The tumble down + of the French Empire was like a dream...." + +A long letter to his friend Sir Thomas Maclear and Mr. Mann, of the same +date, goes over his travels in Manyuema, his many disasters, and then +his wonderful meeting with Mr. Stanley at Ujiji. Speaking of the +unwillingness of the natives to believe in the true purpose of his +journey, he says: "They all treat me with respect, and are very much +afraid of being written against; but they consider the sources of the +Nile to be a sham; the true object of my being sent is to see their +odious system of slaving, and _if indeed my disclosures should lead to +the suppression of the East Coast slave-trade, I would esteem that as a +far greater feat than the discovery of all the sources together_. It is +awful, but I cannot speak of the slaving for fear of appearing guilty of +exaggerating. It is not trading; it is murdering for captives to be made +into slaves." His account of himself in the journey from Nyangwe is +dreadful: "I was near a fourth lake on this central line, and only +eighty miles from Lake Lincoln on our west, in fact almost in sight of +the geographical end of my mission, when I was forced to return [through +the misconduct of his men] between 400 and 500 miles. A sore heart, made +still sorer by the sad scenes I had seen of man's inhumanity to man, +made this march a terrible tramp--the sun vertical, and the sore heat +reacting on the physical frame. I was in pain nearly every step of the +way, and arrived a mere ruckle of bones to find myself destitute." In +speaking of the impression made by Mr. Stanley's kindness: "I am as cold +and non-demonstrative as we islanders are reputed to be, but this +kindness was overwhelming. Here was the good Samaritan and no mistake. +Never was I more hard pressed; never was help more welcome." + +During thirteen months Stanley received no fewer than ten parcels of +letters and papers sent up by Mr. Webb, American Consul at Zanzibar, +while Livingstone received but one. This was an additional ground for +faith in the efficiency of Stanley's arrangements. + +The journey to Unyanyembe was somewhat delayed by an attack of fever +which Stanley had at Ujiji, and it was not till the 27th December that +the travelers set out. On the way Stanley heard of the death of his +English attendant Shaw, whom he had left unwell. On the 18th of +February, 1872, they reached Unyanyembe, where a new chapter of the old +history unfolded itself. The survivor of two head-men employed by Ludha +Damji had been plundering Livingstone's stores, and had broken open the +lock of Mr. Stanley's store-room and plundered him likewise. +Notwithstanding, Mr. Stanley was able to give Livingstone a large amount +of calico, beads, brass wire, copper sheets, a tent, boat, bath, +cooking-pots, medicine-chest, tools, books, paper, medicines, +cartridges, and shot. This, with four flannel shirts that had come from +Agnes, and two pairs of boots, gave him the feeling of being quite +set up. + +On the 14th of March Mr. Stanley left Livingstone for Zanzibar, having +received from him a commission to send him up fifty trusty men, and some +additional stores. Mr. Stanley had authority to draw from Dr. Kirk the +remaining half of the Government grant, but lest it should have been +expended, he was furnished with a cheque for 5000 rupees on Dr. +Livingstone's agents at Bombay. He was likewise intrusted with a large +folio MS.* volume containing his journals from his arrival at Zanzibar, +28th January, 1866, to February 20, 1872, written out with all his +characteristic care and beauty. Another instruction had been laid upon +him. If he should find another set of slaves on the way to him, he was +to send them back, for Livingstone would on no account expose himself +anew to the misery, risk, and disappointment he had experienced from the +kind of men that had compelled him to turn back at Nyangwe. + +Dr. Livingstone's last act before Mr. Stanley left him was to write his +letters--twenty for Great Britain, six for Bombay, two for New York, and +one for Zanzibar. The two for New York were for Mr. Bennett of the _New +York Herald_, by whom Stanley had been sent to Africa. + +Mr. Stanley has freely unfolded to us the bitterness of his heart in +parting from Livingstone. "My days seem to have been spent in an Elysian +field; otherwise, why should I so keenly regret the near approach of the +parting hour? Have I not been battered by successive fevers, prostrate +with agony day after day lately? Have I not raved and stormed in +madness? Have I not clenched my fists in fury, and fought with the wild +strength of despair when in delirium? Yet, I regret to surrender the +pleasure I have felt in this man's society, though so dearly +purchased.... _March 14th._--We had a sad breakfast together. I could +not eat, my heart was too full; neither did my companion seem to have an +appetite. We found something to do which kept us longer together. At +eight o'clock I was not gone, and I had thought to have been off at five +A.M.... We walked side by side; the men lifted their voices in a song. I +took long looks at Livingstone, to impress his features thoroughly on my +memory.... 'Now, my dear Doctor, the best friends must part. You have +come far enough; let me beg of you to turn back.' 'Well,' Livingstone +replied, 'I will say this to you: You have done what few men could +do,--far better than some great travelers I know. And I am grateful to +you for what you have done for me. God guide you safe home, and bless +you, my friend,'--'And may God bring you safe back to us all, my dear +friend. Farewell!'--'Farewell!"... My friendly reader, I wrote the above +extracts in my Diary on the evening of each day. I look at them now +after six months have passed away; yet I am not ashamed of them; my eyes +feel somewhat dimmed at the recollection of the parting. I dared not +erase, nor modify what I had penned, while my feelings were strong. God +grant that if ever you take to traveling in Africa you will get as noble +and true a man for your companion as David Livingstone! For four months +and four days I lived with him in the same house, or in the same boat, +or in the same tent, and I never found a fault in him. I am a man of a +quick temper, and often without sufficient cause, I daresay, have broken +the ties of friendship; but with Livingstone I never had cause for +resentment, but each day's life with him added to my admiration +for him." + +If Stanley's feeling for Livingstone was thus at the warmest +temperature, Livingstone's sense of the service done to him by Stanley +was equally unqualified. Whatever else he might be or might not be, he +had proved a true friend to him. He had risked his life in the attempt +to reach him, had been delighted to share with him every comfort he +possessed, and to leave with him ample stores of all that might be +useful to him in his effort to finish his work. Whoever may have been to +blame for it, it is certain that Livingstone had been afflicted for +years, and latterly worried almost to death, by the inefficency and +worthlessness of the men sent to serve him. In Stanley he found one whom +he could trust implicitly to do everything that zeal and energy could +contrive in order to find him efficient men and otherwise carry out his +plans. It was Stanley therefore whom he commissioned to send him up men +from Zanzibar. It was Stanley to whom he intrusted his Journal and other +documents. Stanley had been his confidental friend for four months--the +only white man to whom he talked for six years. It was matter of life +and death to Livingstone to be supplied for this concluding piece of +work far better than he had been for years back. What man in his senses +would have failed in these circumstances to avail himself to the utmost +of the services of one who had shown himself so efficient; would have +put him aside to fall back on others, albeit his own countrymen, who, +with all their good-will, had not been able to save him from robbery, +beggary, and a half-broken heart. + +Stanley's journey from Unyanyembe to Bagamoio was a perpetual struggle +against hostile natives, flooded roads, slush, mire, and water, roaring +torrents, ants and mosquitos, or, as he described it, the ten plagues of +Egypt. On his reaching Bagamoio, on the 6th May, he found a new +surprise. A white man dressed in flannels and helmet appeared, and as he +met Stanley congratulated him on his splendid success. It was Lieutenant +Henn, R.N., a member of the Search Expedition which the Royal +Geographical Society and others had sent out to look for Livingstone. +The resolution to organize such an Expedition was taken after news had +come to England of the war between the Arabs and the natives at +Unyanyembe, stopping the communication with Ujiji, and rendering it +impossible, as it was thought, for Mr. Stanley to get to Livingstone's +relief. The Expedition had been placed under command of Lieutenant +Dawson, R.N., with Lieutenant Henn as second, and was joined by the Rev. +Charles New, a Missionary from Mombasa, and Mr. W. Oswell Livingstone, +youngest son of the Doctor. Stanley's arrival at Bagamoio had been +preceded by that of some of his men, who brought the news that +Livingstone had been found and relieved. On hearing this, Lieutenant +Dawson hurried to Zanzibar to see Dr. Kirk, and resigned his command. +Lieutenant Henn soon after followed his example by resigning too. They +thought that as Dr. Livingstone had been relieved there was no need for +their going on. Mr. New likewise declined, to proceed. Mr. W. Oswell +Livingstone was thus left alone, at first full of the determination to +go on to his father with the men whom Stanley was providing; but owing +to the state of his health, and under the advice of Dr. Kirk, he, too, +declined to accompany the Expedition, so that the men from Zanzibar +proceeded to Unyanyembe alone. + +On the 29th of May, Stanley, with Messrs. Henn, Livingstone, New, and +Morgan, departed in the "Africa" from Zanzibar, and in due time +reached Europe. + +It was deeply to be regretted that an enterprise so beautiful and so +entirely successful as Mr. Stanley's should have been in some degree +marred by ebullitions of feeling little in harmony with the very joyous +event. The leaders of the English Search Expedition and their friends +felt, as they expressed it, that the wind had been taken out of their +sails. They could not but rejoice that Livingstone had been found and +relieved, but it was a bitter thought that they had had no hand in the +process. It was galling to their feelings as Englishmen that the +brilliant service had been done by a stranger, a newspaper +correspondent, a citizen of another country. On a small scale that +spirit of national jealousy showed itself, which on a wider arena has +sometimes endangered the relations of England and America. + +When Stanley reached England, it was not to be overwhelmed with +gratitude. At first the Royal Geographical Society received him coldly. +Instead of his finding Livingstone, it was surmised that Livingstone had +found him. Strange things were said of him at the British Association at +Brighton. The daily press actually challenged his truthfulness; some of +the newspapers affected to treat his whole story as a myth. Stanley says +frankly that this reception gave a tone of bitterness to his book--_How +I Found Livingstone_--which it would not have had if he had understood +the real state of things. But the heart of the nation was sound; the +people believed in Stanley, and appreciated his service. At last the +mists cleared away, and England acknowledged its debt to the American. +The Geographical Society gave him the right hand of fellowship "with a +warmth and generosity never to be forgotten." The President apologized +for the words of suspicion he had previously used. Her Majesty the Queen +presented Stanley with a special token of her regard. Unhappily, in the +earlier stages of the affair, wounds had been inflicted which are not +likely ever to be wholly healed. Words were spoken on both sides which +cannot be recalled. But the great fact remains, and will be written on +the page of history, that Stanley did a noble service to Livingstone, +earning thereby the gratitude of England and of the civilized world. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +FROM UNYANYEMBE TO BANGWEOLO. + +A.D. 1872-73. + +Livingstone's long wait at Unyanyembe--His plan of operations--His +fifty-ninth, birthday--Renewal of self-dedication--Letters to Agnes--to +_New York Herald_--Hardness of the African battle--Waverings of +judgment, whether Lualaba was the Nile or the Congo--Extracts from +Journal--Gleams of humor--Natural history--His distress on hearing of +the death of Sir Roderick Murchison--Thoughts on mission-work--Arrival +of his escort--His happiness in his new men--He starts from +Unyanyembe--Illness--Great amount of rain--Near Bangweolo--Incessant +moisture--Flowers of the forest--Taking of observations regularly +prosecuted--Dreadful state of the country from rain--Hunger--Furious +attack of ants--Greatness of Livingstone's sufferings--Letters to Sir +Thomas Maclear, Mr. Young, his brother, and Agnes--His sixtieth +birthday--Great weakness in April--Sunday services and observations +continued--Increasing illness--The end approaching--Last written +words--Last day of his travels--He reaches Chitambo's village, in +Ilala--Is found on his knees dead, on morning of 1st May--Courage and +affection of his attendants--His body embalmed--Carried toward +shore--Dangers and sufferings during the march--The party meet +Lieutenant Cameron at Unyanyembe--Determine to go on--_Ruse_ at +Kasekéra--Death of Dr. Dillon--The party reach Bagamoio, and the remains +are placed on board a cruiser--The Search Expeditions from England--to +East Coast under Cameron--to West Coast under Grandy--Explanation of +Expeditions by Sir Henry Rawlinson--Livingstone's remains brought to +England--Examined by Sir W. Fergusson and others--Buried in Westminster +Abbey--Inscription on slab--Livingstone's wish for a forest grave--Lines +from _Punch_--Tributes to his memory--Sir Bartle Frere--The +_Lancet_--Lord Polwarth--Florence Nightingale. + + +When Stanley left Livingstone at Unyanyembe there was nothing for the +latter but to wait there until the men should come to him who were to be +sent up from Zanzibar Stanley left on the 14th March; Livingstone +calculated that he would reach Zanzibar on the 1st May, that his men +would be ready to start about the 22d May, and that they ought to +arrive at Unyanyembe on the 10th or 15th July. In reality, Stanley did +not reach Bagamoio till the 6th May, the men were sent off about the +25th, and they reached Unyanyembe about the 9th August. A month more +than had been counted on had to be spent at Unyanyembe, and this delay +was all the more trying because it brought the traveler nearer to the +rainy season. + +The intention of Dr. Livingstone, when the men should come, was to +strike south by Ufipa, go round Tanganyika, then cross the Chambeze, and +bear away along the southern shore of Bangweolo, straight west to the +ancient fountains; from them in eight days to Katanga copper mines; from +Katanga, in ten days, northeast to the great underground excavations, +and back again to Katanga; from which N.N.W. twelve days to the head of +Lake Lincoln. "There I hope devoutly," he writes to his daughter, "to +thank the Lord of all, and turn my face along Lake Kamolondo, and over +Lualaba, Tanganyika, Ujiji, and home." + +His stay at Unyanyembe was a somewhat dreary one; there was little to do +and little to interest him. Five days after Stanley left him occurred +his fifty-ninth birthday. How his soul was exercised appears from the +renewal of his self-dedication recorded in his Journal: + + "19_th March, Birthday_.--My Jesus, my King, my Life, my All; + I again dedicate my whole self to Thee. Accept me, and grant, + O gracious Father, that ere this year is gone I may finish my + task. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen. So let it be. DAVID + LIVINGSTONE." + +Frequent letters were written to his daughter from Unyanyembe, and they +dwelt a good deal upon his difficulties, the treacherous way in which he +had been treated, and the indescribable toil and suffering which had +been the result. He said that in complaining to Dr. Kirk of the men whom +he had employed, and the disgraceful use they had made of his (Kirk's) +name, he never meant to charge him with being the author of their +crimes, and it never occurred to him to say to Kirk, "I don't believe +you to be the traitor they imply;" but Kirk took his complaint in high +dudgeon as a covert attack upon himself, and did not act toward him as +he ought to have done, considering what he owed him. His cordial and +uniform testimony of Stanley was, "altogether he has behaved +right nobly." + +On the 1st May he finished a letter for the _New York Herald_, and asked +God's blessing on it. It contained the memorable words afterward +inscribed on the stone to his memory in Westminster Abbey: "All I can +add in my loneliness is, may Heaven's rich blessing come down on every +one--American, English, or Turk--who will help to heal the open sore of +the world." It happened that the words were written precisely a year +before his death. + +Amid the universal darkness around him, the universal ignorance of God +and of the grace and love of Jesus Christ, it was hard to believe that +Africa should ever be won. He had to strengthen his faith amid this +universal desolation. We read in his Journal: + + "13_th May_.--He will keep his word--the gracious One, full + of grace and truth; no doubt of it. He said: 'Him that cometh + unto me, I will in no wise cast out;' and 'Whatsoever ye + shall ask in my name, I will give it.' He WILL keep his word: + then I can come and humbly present my petition, and it will + be all right. Doubt is here inadmissible, surely, D.L." + +His mind ruminates on the river system of the country and the +probability of his being in error: + + "2l_st May_.--I wish I had some of the assurance possessed by + others, but I am oppressed with the apprehension that, after + all, it may turn out that I have been following the Congo; + and who would risk being put into a cannibal pot, and + converted into black man for _it?_" + + "31_st May_.--In reference to this Nile source, I have been + kept in perpetual doubt and perplexity. I know too much to be + positive. Great Lualaba, or Lualubba, as Manyuema say, may + turn out to be the Congo, and Nile a shorter river after + all[75]. The fountains flowing north and south seem in favor + of its being the Nile. Great westing is in favor of + the Congo." + + [Footnote 75: From false punctuation, this passage is + unintelligible in the _Last Journals_, vol. ii. p. 193.] + + "24_th June_.--The medical education has led me to a + continual tendency to suspend the judgment. What a state of + blessedness it would have been, had I possessed the dead + certainty of the homoeopathic persuasion, and as soon as I + found the Lakes Bangweolo, Moero, and Kamolondo, pouring out + their waters down the great central valley, bellowed out, + 'Hurrah! Eureka!' and gone home in firm and honest belief + that I had settled it, and no mistake. Instead of that, I am + even now not at all 'cock-sure' that I have not been + following down what may after all be the Congo." + +We now know that this was just what he had been doing. But we honor him +all the more for the diffidence that would not adopt a conclusion while +any part of the evidence was wanting, and that led him to encounter +unexampled risks and hardships before he would affirm his favorite view +as a fact. The moral lesson thus enforced is invaluable. We are almost +thankful that Livingstone never got his doubts solved, it would have +been such a disappointment; even had he known that in all time coming +the great stream which had cast on him such a resistless spell would be +known as the Livingstone River, and would perpetuate the memory of his +life and his efforts for the good of Africa. + +Occasionally his Journal gives a gleam, of humor: "18_th June_.--The +Ptolemaic map defines people according to their food,--the +Elephantophagi, the Struthiophagi, the Ichthiophagi, and the +Anthropophagi, If we followed the same sort of classification, our +definition would be by the drink, thus: the tribe of stout-guzzlers, the +roaring potheen-fuddlers, the whisky-fishoid-drinkers, the vin-ordinaire +bibbers, the lager-beer-swillers, and an outlying tribe of the brandy +cocktail persuasion." + +Natural History furnishes an unfailing interest: "19_th June_.--Whydahs, +though full-fledged, still gladly take a feed from their dam, putting +down the breast to the ground, and cocking up the bill and chirruping in +the most engaging manner and winning way they know. She still gives them +a little, but administers a friendly shove-off too. They all pick up +feathers or grass, and hop from side to side of their mates, as if +saying, 'Come, let us play at making little houses.' The wagtail has +shaken her young quite off, and has a new nest. She warbles prettily, +very much like a canary, and is extremely active in catching flies, but +eats crumbs of bread-and-milk too. Sun-birds visit the pomegranate +flowers, and eat insects therein too, as well as nectar. The young +whydah birds crouch closely together at night for heat. They look like a +woolly ball on a branch. By day they engage in pairing and coaxing each +other. They come to the same twig every night. Like children, they try +and lift heavy weights of feathers above their strength." + +On 3d July a very sad entry occurs: "Received a note from Oswell, +written in April last, containing the sad intelligence of Sir Roderick's +departure from among us. Alas! alas! this is the only time in my life I +ever felt inclined to use the word, and it bespeaks a sore heart; the +best friend I ever had,--true, warm, and abiding,--he loved me more than +I deserved; he looks down on me still." This entry indicates +extraordinary depth of emotion. Sir Roderick exercised a kind of spell +on Livingstone. Respect for him was one of the subordinate motives that +induced him to undertake this journey. The hope of giving him +satisfaction was one of the subordinate rewards to which he looked +forward. His death was to Livingstone a kind of scientific widowhood, +and must have deprived him of a great spring to exertion in this last +wandering. On Sir Roderick's part the affection for him was very great. +"Looking back," says his biographer, Professor Geikie, "upon his +scientific career when not far from its close, Murchison found no part +of it which brought more pleasing recollections than the support he had +given to African explorers--Speke, Grant, notably Livingstone. 'I +rejoice,' he said, 'in the steadfast tenacity with which I have upheld +my confidence in the ultimate success of the last-named of these brave +men. In fact, it was the confidence I placed in the undying vigor of my +dear friend Livingstone which has sustained me in the hope that I might +live to enjoy the supreme delight of welcoming him back to his own +country.' But that consummation was not to be. He himself was gathered +to his rest just six days before Stanley brought news and relief to the +forlorn traveler on Lake Tanganyika. And Livingstone, while still in +pursuit of his quest, and within ten months of his death, learned in the +heart of Africa the tidings which he chronicled in his journal[76]." + +[Footnote 76: _Life of Sir R. I. Murchison_, vol. ii. pp. 297-8.] + +At other times he is ruminating on mission-work: + + "10_th July_.--No great difficulty would be encountered in + establishing a Christian mission a hundred miles or so from + the East Coast.... To the natives the chief attention of the + mission should be directed. It would not be desirable or + advisable to refuse explanation to others; but I have avoided + giving offense to intelligent Arabs, who, having pressed me, + asking if I believed in Mohamed, by saying, 'No, I do not; I + am a child of Jesus bin Miriam,' avoiding anything offensive + in my tone, and often adding that Mohamed found their + forefathers bowing down to trees and stones, and did good to + them by forbidding idolatry, and teaching the worship of the + only One God. This they all know, and it pleases them to have + it recognized. It might be good policy to hire a respectable + Arab to engage free porters, and conduct the mission to the + country chosen, and obtain permission from the chief to build + temporary houses.... A couple of Europeans beginning and + carrying on a mission without a staff of foreign attendants, + implies coarse country fare, it is true; but this would be + nothing to those who at home amuse themselves with vigils, + fasting, etc. A great deal of power is thus lost in the + Church. Fastings and vigils, without a special object in + view, are time run to waste. They are made to minister to a + sort of self-gratification, instead of being turned to + account for the good of others. They are like groaning in + sickness: some people amuse themselves when ill with + continuous moaning. The forty days of Lent might be annually + spent in visiting adjacent tribes, and bearing unavoidable + hunger and thirst with a good grace. Considering the + greatness of the object to be attained, men might go without + sugar, coffee, tea, as I went from September, 1866, to + December, 1868, without either." + +On the subject of Missions he says, at a later period, 8th November: +"The spirit of missions is the spirit of our Master; the very genius of +his religion. A diffusive philanthropy is Christianity itself. It +requires perpetual propagation to attest its genuineness." + +Thanks to Mr. Stanley and the American Consul, who made arrangements in +a way that drew Livingstone's warmest gratitude, his escort arrived at +last, consisting of fifty-seven men and boys. Several of these had gone +with Mr. Stanley from Unyanyembe to Zanzibar; among the new men were +some Nassick pupils who had been sent from Bombay to join Lieutenant +Dawson. John and Jacob Wainwright were among these. To Jacob Wainwright, +who was well-educated, we owe the earliest narrative that appeared of +the last eight months of Livingstone's career. How happy he was with the +men now sent to him appears from a letter to Mr. Stanley, written very +near his death: "I am perpetually reminded that I owe a great deal to +you for the men, you sent. With one exception, the party is working like +a machine. I give my orders to Manwa Sera, and never have to repeat +them." Would that he had had such a company before! + +On the 25th August the party started. On the 8th October they reached +Tanganyika, and rested, for they were tired, and several were sick, +including Livingstone, who had been ill with his bowel disorder. The +march went on slowly, and with few incidents. As the season advanced, +rain, mist, swollen streams, and swampy ground became familiar. At the +end of the year they were approaching the river Chambeze. Christmas had +its thanksgiving: "I thank the good Lord for the good gift of his Son, +Jesus Christ our Lord." + +In the second week of January they came near Bangweolo, and the reign +of Neptune became incessant. We are told of cold rainy weather; +sometimes a drizzle, sometimes an incessant pour; swollen streams and +increasing sponges,--making progress a continual struggle. Yet, as he +passes through a forest, he has an eye to its flowers, which are +numerous and beautiful: + + "There are many flowers in the forest; marigolds, a white + jonquil-looking flower without smell, many orchids, white, + yellow, and pink asclepias, with bunches of French-white + flowers, clematis--_Methonica gloriosa_, gladiolus, and blue + and deep purple polygalas, grasses with white starry + seed-vessels, and spikelets of brownish red and yellow. + Besides these, there are beautiful blue flowering bulbs, and + new flowers of pretty, delicate form and but little scent. To + this list may be added balsams, composite of blood-red color + and of purple; other flowers of liver color, bright canary + yellow, pink orchids on spikes thickly covered all round, and + of three inches in length; spiderworts of fine blue or yellow + or even pink. Different colored asclepiadeæ; beautiful yellow + and red umbelliferous flowering plants; dill and wild + parsnips; pretty flowering aloes, yellow and red, in one + whorl of blossoms; peas and many other flowering plants which + I do not know." + +Observations were taken with unremitting diligence, except when, as was +now common, nothing could be seen in the heavens. As they advanced, the +weather became worse. It rained as if nothing but rain were ever known +in the watershed. The path lay across flooded rivers, which were +distinguished by their currents only from the flooded country along +their banks. Dr. Livingstone had to be carried over the rivers on the +back of one of his men, in the fashion so graphically depicted on the +cover of the _Last Journals_. The stretches of sponge that came before +and after the rivers, with their long grass and elephant-holes, were +scarcely less trying. The inhabitants were, commonly, most unfriendly to +the party; they refused them food, and, whenever they could, deceived +them as to the way. Hunger bore down on the party with its bitter +gnawing. Once a mass of furious ants attacked the Doctor by night, +driving him in despair from hut to hut. Any frame but one of Iron must +have succumbed to a single month of such a life, and before a week was +out, any body of men, not held together by a power of discipline and a +charm of affection unexampled in the history of difficult expeditions, +would have been scattered to the four winds. Livingstone's own +sufferings were beyond all previous example. + +About this time he began an undated letter--his last--to his old friends +Sir Thomas Maclear and Mr. Mann. It was never finished, and never +despatched; but as one of the latest things he ever wrote, it is deeply +interesting, as showing how clear, vigorous, and independent his mind +was to the very last: + + "LAKE BANGWEOLO, SOUTH CENTRAL AFRICA. + + "MY DEAR FRIENDS MACLEAR AND MANN,--... My work at present is + mainly retracing my steps to take up the thread of my + exploration. It counts in my lost time, but I try to make the + most of it by going round outside this lake and all the + sources, so that no one may come afterward and cut me out. I + have a party of good men, selected by H. M. Stanley, who, at + the instance of James Gordon Bennett, of the _New York + Herald_, acted the part of a good Samaritan truly, and + relieved my sore necessities. A dutiful son could not have + done more than he generously did. I bless him. The men, + fifty-six in number, have behaved as well as Makololo. I + cannot award them higher praise, though they have not the + courage of that brave kind-hearted people. From Unyanyembe we + went due south to avoid an Arab war which had been going on + for eighteen months. It is like one of our Caffre wars, with + this difference--no one is enriched thereby, for all trade is + stopped, and the Home Government pays nothing. We then went + westward to Tanganyika, and along its eastern excessively + mountainous bank to the end. The heat was really broiling + among the rocks. No rain had fallen, and the grass being + generally burned off, the heat rose off the black ashes as if + out of an oven, yet the flowers persisted in coming out of + the burning soil, and generally without leaves, as if it had + been a custom that they must observe by a law of the Medes + and Persians. This part detained us long; the men's limbs + were affected with a sort of subcutaneous + inflammation,--black rose or erysipelas,--and when I proposed + mildly and medically to relieve the tension it was too + horrible to be thought of, but they willingly carried the + helpless. Then we mounted up at once into the high, cold + region Urungu, south of Tanganyika, and into the middle of + the rainy season, with well-grown grass and everything + oppressively green; rain so often that no observations could + be made, except at wide intervals. I could form no opinion as + to our longitude, and but little of our latitudes. Three of + the Baurungu chiefs, one a great friend of mine, Nasonso, had + died, and the population all turned topsy-turvy, so I could + make no use of previous observations. They elect sisters' or + brothers' sons to the chieftainship, instead of the + heir-apparent. Food was not to be had for either love + or money. + + "I was at the mercy of guides who did not know their own + country, and when I insisted on following the compass, they + threatened, 'no food for five or ten days in that line.' They + brought us down to the back or north side of Bangweolo, while + I wanted to cross the Chambeze and go round its southern + side. So back again southeastward we had to bend. The + Portuguese crossed this Chambeze a long time ago, and are + therefore the first European discoverers. We were not black + men with Portuguese names like those for whom the feat of + crossing the continent was eagerly claimed by Lisbon + statesmen. Dr. Lacerda was a man of scientific attainments, + and Governor of Tette, but finding Cazembe at the rivulet + called Chungu, he unfortunately succumbed to fever ten days + after his arrival. He seemed anxious to make his way across + to Angola. Misled by the similarity of Chambeze to Zambesi, + they all thought it to be a branch of the river that flows + past Tette, Senna, and Shupanga, by Luabo and Kongoné to + the sea. + + "I rather stupidly took up the same idea from a map saying + 'Zambesi' (eastern branch), believing that the map printer + had some authority for his assertion. My first crossing was + thus as fruitless as theirs, and I was less excusable, for I + ought to have remembered that while Chambeze is the true + native name of the northern river, Zambesi is not the name of + the southern river at all. It is a Portugese corruption of + Dombazi, which we adopted rather than introduce confusion by + new names, in the same way that we adopted Nyassa instead of + Nyanza ia Nyinyesi == Lake of the Stars, which the + Portuguese, from hearsay, corrupted into Nyassa. The English + have been worse propagators of nonsense than Portuguese. + 'Geography of Nyassa' was thought to be a learned way of + writing the name, though 'Nyassi' means long grass and + nothing else. It took me twenty-two months to eliminate the + error into which I was led, and then it was not by my own + acuteness, but by the chief Cazembe, who was lately routed + and slain by a party of Banyamwezi. He gave me the first hint + of the truth, and that rather in a bantering strain: 'One + piece of water is just like another; Bangweolo water is just + like Moero water, Chambeze water like Luapula water; they are + all the same; but your chief ordered you to go to the + Bangweolo, therefore by all means go, but wait a few days, + till I have looked out for good men as guides, and good food + for you to eat,' etc. etc. + + "I was not sure but that it was all royal chaff, till I made + my way back south to the head-waters again, and had the + natives of the islet Mpabala slowly moving the hands all + around the great expanse, with 183° of sea horizon, and + saying that is Chambeze, forming the great Bangweolo, and + disappearing behind that western headland to change its name + to Luapula, and run down past Cazembe to Moero. That was the + moment of discovery, and not my passage or the Portuguese + passage of the river. If, however, any one chooses to claim + for them the discovery of Chambeze as one line of drainage of + the Nile Valley, I shall not fight with him; Culpepper's + astrology was in the same way the forerunner of the + Herschels' and the other astronomers that followed." + +To another old friend, Mr. James Young, he wrote about the same time: +"_Opere peracto ludemus_--the work being finished, we will play--you +remember in your Latin Rudiments lang syne. It is true for you, and I +rejoice to think it is now your portion, after working nobly, to play. +May you have a long spell of it! I am differently situated; I shall +never be able to play.... To me it seems to be said, 'If thou forbear to +deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that be ready to be +slain; if thou sayest, Behold we knew it not, doth not He that pondereth +the heart consider, and He that keepeth thy soul doth He not know, and +shall He not give to every one according to his works?' I have been led, +unwittingly, into the slaving field of the Banians and Arabs in Central +Africa. I have seen the woes inflicted, and I must still work and do all +I can to expose and mitigate the evils. Though hard work is still to be +my lot, I look genially on others more favored in their lot. I would not +be a member of the 'International,' for I love to see and think of +others enjoying life. + +"During a large part of this journey I had a strong presentiment that I +should never live to finish it. It is weakened now, as I seem to see the +end toward which I have been striving looming in the distance. This +presentiment did not interfere with the performance of any duty; it +only made me think a great deal more of the future state of being." + +In his latest letters there is abundant evidence that the great desire +of his heart was to expose the slave-trade, rouse public feeling, and +get that great hindrance to all good for ever swept away. + +"Spare no pains," he wrote to Dr. Kirk in 1871, "in attempting to +persuade your superior to this end, and the Divine blessing will descend +on you and yours." + +To his daughter Agnes he wrote (15th August, 1872): "No one can estimate +the amount of God-pleasing good that will be done, if, by Divine favor, +this awful slave-trade, into the midst of which I have come, be +abolished. This will be something to have lived for, and the conviction +has grown in my mind that it was _for this end_ I have been detained +so long." + +To his brother in Canada he says (December, 1872): "If the good Lord +permits me to put a stop to the enormous evils of the inland +slave-trade, I shall not grudge my hunger and toils. I shall bless his +name with all my heart. The Nile sources are valuable to me only as a +means of enabling me to open my mouth with power among men. It is this +power I hope to apply to remedy an enormous evil, and join my poor +little helping hand in the enormous revolution that in his all-embracing +Providence He has been carrying on for ages, and is now actually helping +forward. Men may think I covet fame, but I make it a rule never to read +aught written in my praise." + +Livingstone's last birthday (19th March, 1873) found him in much the +same circumstances as before. "Thanks to the Almighty Preserver of men +for sparing me thus far on the journey of life. Can I hope for ultimate +success? So many obstacles have arisen. Let not Satan prevail over me, O +my good Lord Jesus." A few days after (24th March): "Nothing earthly +will make me give up my work in despair. I encourage myself in the Lord +my God, and go forward." + +In the beginning of April, the bleeding from the bowels, from which he +had been suffering, became more copious, and his weakness was pitiful; +still he longed for strength to finish his work. Even yet the old +passion for natural history was strong; the aqueous plants that abounded +everywhere, the caterpillars that after eating the plants ate one +another, and were such clumsy swimmers; the fish with the hook-shaped +lower jaw that enabled them to feed as they skimmed past the plants; the +morning summons of the cocks and turtle-doves; the weird scream of the +fish eagle--all engaged his interest. Observations continued to be +taken, and the Sunday services were always held. + +But on the 21st April a change occurred. In a shaky hand he wrote: +"Tried to ride, but was forced to lie down, and they carried me back to +vil. exhausted." A kitanda or palanquin had to be made for carrying him. +It was sorry work, for his pains were excruciating and his weakness +excessive. On the 27th April[77] he was apparently at the lowest ebb, +and wrote in his Journal the last words he ever penned--"Knocked up +quite, and remain == recover sent to buy milch goats. We are on the +banks of R. Molilamo." + +[Footnote 77: This was the eleventh anniversary of his wife's death.] + +The word "recover" seems to show that he had no presentiment of death, +but cherished the hope of recovery; and Mr. Waller has pointed out, from +his own sad observation of numerous cases in connection with the +Universities Mission, that malarial poisoning is usually unattended with +the apprehension of death, and that in none of these instances, any more +than in the case of Livingstone, were there any such messages, or +instructions, or expressions of trust and hope as are usual on the part +of Christian men when death is near. + +The 29th of April was the last day of his travels. In the morning he +directed Susi to take down the side of the hut that the kitanda might be +brought along, as the door would not admit it, and he was quite unable +to walk to it. Then came the crossing of a river; then progress through +swamps and plashes; and when they got to anything like a dry plain, he +would ever and anon beg of them to lay him down. At last they got him to +Chitambo's village, in Ilala, where they had to put him under the eaves +of a house during a drizzling rain, until the hut they were building +should be got ready. + +Then they laid him on a rough bed in the hut, where he spent the night. +Next day he lay undisturbed. He asked a few wandering questions about +the country--especially about the Luapula. His people knew that the end +could not be far off. Nothing occurred to attract notice during the +early part of the night, but at four in the morning, the boy who lay at +his door called in alarm for Susi, fearing that their master was dead. +By the candle still burning they saw him, not in bed, but kneeling at +the bedside with his head buried in his hands upon the pillow. The sad +yet not unexpected truth soon became evident: he had passed away on the +furthest of all his journeys, and without a single attendant. But he had +died in the act of prayer--prayer offered in that reverential attitude +about which he was always so particular; commending his own spirit, with +all his dear ones, as was his wont, into the hands of his Saviour; and +commending AFRICA--his own dear Africa--with all her woes and sins and +wrongs, to the Avenger of the oppressed and the Redeemer of the lost. + +If anything were needed to commend the African race, and prove them +possessed of qualities fitted to make a noble nation, the courage, +affection, and persevering loyalty shown by his attendants after his +death might well have this effect. When the sad event became known among +the men, it was cordially resolved that every effort should be made to +carry their master's remains to Zanzibar. Such an undertaking was +extremely perilous, for there were not merely the ordinary risks of +travel to a small body of natives, but there was also the superstitious +horror everywhere prevalent connected with the dead. Chitambo must be +kept in ignorance of what had happened, otherwise a ruinous fine would +be sure to be inflicted on them. The secret, however, oozed out, but +happily the chief was reasonable. Susi and Chuma, the old attendants of +Livingstone, became now the leaders of the company, and they fulfilled +their task right nobly. The interesting narrative of Mr. Waller at the +end of the _Last Journals_ tells us how calmly yet efficiently they set +to work. Arrangements were made for drying and embalming the body, after +removing and burying the heart and other viscera. For fourteen days the +body was dried in the sun. After being wrapped in calico, and the legs +bent inward at the knees, it was enclosed in a large piece of bark from +a Myonga-tree in the form of a cylinder; over this a piece of sail-cloth +was sewed; and the package was lashed to a pole, so as to be carried by +two men. Jacob Wainwright carved an inscription on the Mvula tree under +which the body had rested, and where the heart was buried, and Chitambo +was charged to keep the grass cleared away, and to protect two posts and +a cross-piece which they erected to mark the spot. + +They then set out on their homeward march. It was a serious journey, for +the terrible exposure had affected the health of most of them, and many +had to lie down through sickness. The tribes through which they passed +were generally friendly, but not always. At one place they had a regular +fight. On the whole, their progress was wonderfully quiet and regular. +Everywhere they found that the news of the Doctor's death had got before +them. At one place they heard that a party of Englishmen, headed by Dr. +Livingstone's son, on their way to relieve his father, had been seen at +Bagamoio some months previously. As they approached Unyanyembe, they +learned that the party was there, but when Chuma ran on before, he was +disappointed to find that Oswell Livingstone was not among them. +Lieutenant Cameron, Dr. Dillon, and Lieutenant Murphy were there, and +heard the tidings of the men with deep emotion. Cameron wished them to +bury the remains where they were, and not run the risk of conveying them +through the Ugogo country; but the men were inflexible, determined to +carry out their first intention. This was not the only interference with +these devoted and faithful men. Considering how carefully they had +gathered all Livingstone's property, and how conscientiously, at the +risk of their lives, they were carrying it to the coast, to transfer it +to the British Consul there, it was not warrantable in the new-comers to +take the boxes from them, examine their contents, and carry off a part +of them. Nor do we think Lieutenant Cameron was entitled to take away +the instruments with which all Livingstone's observations had been made +for a series of seven years, and use them, though only temporarily, for +the purpose of his Expedition, inasmuch as he thereby made it impossible +so to reduce Livingstone's observations as that correct results should +be obtained from them. Sir Henry Rawlinson seems not to have adverted to +this result of Mr. Cameron's act, in his reference to the matter from +the chair of the Geographical Society. + +On leaving Unyanyembe the party were joined by Lieutenant Murphy, not +much to the promotion of unity of action or harmonious feeling. At +Kasekéra a spirit of opposition was shown by the inhabitants, and a +_ruse_ was resorted to so as to throw them off their guard. It was +resolved to pack the remains in such form that when wrapped in calico +they should appear like an ordinary bale of merchandise. A fagot of +mapira stalks, cut into lengths of about six feet, was then swathed in +cloth, to imitate a dead body about to be buried. This was sent back +along the way to Unyanyembe, as if the party had changed their minds and +resolved to bury the remains there. The bearers, at nightfall, began to +throw away the mapira rods, and then the wrappings, and when they had +thus disposed of them they returned to their companions. The villagers +of Kasekéra had now no suspicion, and allowed the party to pass +unmolested. But though one tragedy was averted, another was enacted at +Kasekéra--the dreadful suicide of Dr. Dillon while suffering from +dysentery and fever. + +The cortége now passed on without further incident, and arrived at +Bagamoio in February, 1874. Soon after they reached Bagamoio a cruiser +arrived from Zanzibar, with the acting Consul, Captain Prideaux, on +board, and the remains were conveyed to that island previous to their +being sent to England. + +The men that for nine long months remained steadfast to their purpose to +pay honor to the remains of their master, in the midst of innumerable +trials and dangers and without hope of reward, have established a strong +claim to the gratitude and admiration of the world. Would that the debt +were promptly repaid in efforts to free Africa from her oppressors, and +send throughout all her borders the Divine proclamation, "Glory to God +in the highest, on earth peace, good-will to men." + +In regard to the Search party to which reference has been made, it may +be stated that when Livingstone's purpose to go back to the barbarous +regions where he had suffered so much before became known in England it +excited a feeling of profound concern. Two Expeditions were arranged. +That to the East Coast, organized by the Royal Geographical Society, was +placed under Lieutenant Cameron, and included in its ranks Robert +Moffat, a grandson of Dr. Moffat's, who (as has been already stated) +fell early a sacrifice to fever. The members of the Expedition suffered +much from sickness; it was broken up at Unyanyembe, when the party +bearing the remains of Dr. Livingstone was met. The other party, under +command of Lieutenant Grandy, was to go to the West Coast, start from +Loanda, strike the Congo, and move on to Lake Lincoln. This Expedition +was fitted out solely at the cost of Mr. Young. He was deeply concerned +for the safety of his friend, knowing how he was hated by the +slave-traders whose iniquities he had exposed, and thinking it likely +that if he once reached Lake Lincoln he would make for the west coast +along the Congo. The purpose of these Expeditions is carefully explained +in a letter addressed to Dr. Livingstone by Sir Henry Rawlinson, then +President of the Royal Geographical Society: + + "LONDON, _November_ 20, 1872. + + "DEAR DR. LIVINGSTONE,--You will no doubt have heard of Sir + Bartle Frere's deputation to Zanzibar long before you receive + this, and you will have learnt with heartfelt satisfaction + that there is now a definite prospect of the infamous East + African slave-trade being suppressed. For this great end, if + it be achieved, we shall be mainly indebted to your recent + letters, which have had a powerful effect on the public mind + in England, and have thus stimulated the action of the + Government. Sir Bartle will keep you informed of his + arrangements, if there are any means of communicating with + the interior, and I am sure you will assist him to the utmost + of your power in carrying out the good work in which he + is engaged. + + "It was a great disappointment to us that Lieutenant Dawson's + Expedition, which we fitted out in the beginning of the year + with such completeness, did not join you at Unyanyembe, for + it could not have failed to be of service to you in many + ways. We are now trying to aid you with a second Expedition + under Lieutenant Cameron, whom we have sent out under Sir + Bartle's orders, to join you if possible in the vicinity of + Lake Tanganyika, and attend to your wishes in respect to his + further movements. We leave it entirely to your discretion + whether you like to keep Mr. Cameron with you or to send him + on to the Victoria Nyanza, or any other points that you are + unable to visit yourself. Of course the great point of + interest connected with your present exploration is the + determination of the lower course of the Lualaba. Mr. Stanley + still adheres to the view, which you formerly held, that it + drains into the Nile; but if the levels which you give are + correct, this is impossible. At any rate, the opinion of the + identity of the Congo and Lualaba is now becoming so + universal that Mr. Young has come forward with a donation of + £2000 to enable us to send another Expedition to your + assistance up that river, and Lieutenant Grandy, with a crew + of twenty Kroomen, will accordingly be pulling up the Congo + before many months are over. Whether he will really be able + to penetrate to your unvisited lake, or beyond it to Lake + Lincoln, is, of course, a matter of great doubt; but it will + at any rate be gratifying to you to know that support is + approaching you both from the west and east. We all highly + admire and appreciate your indomitable energy and + perseverance, and the Geographical Society will do everything + in its power to support you, so as to compensate in some + measure for the loss you have sustained in the death of your + old friend Sir Roderick Murchison. My own tenure of office + expires in May, and it is not yet decided who is to succeed + me, but whoever may be our President, our interest in your + proceedings will not slacken. Mr. Waller will, I daresay, + have told you that we have just sent a memorial to Mr. + Gladstone, praying that a pension may be at once conferred + upon your daughters, and I have every hope that our prayer + may be successful. You will see by the papers, now sent to + you, that there has been much acrimonious discussion of late + on African affairs. I have tried myself in every possible way + to throw oil on the troubled waters, and begin to hope now + for something like peace. I shall be very glad to hear from + you if you can spare time to send me a line, and will always + keep a watchful eye over your interests.--I remain, yours + very truly, "H.C. RAWLINSON." + +The remains were brought to Aden on board the "Calcutta," and thereafter +transferred to the P. and O. steamer "Malwa," which arrived at +Southampton on the 15th of April. Mr. Thomas Livingstone, eldest +surviving son of the Doctor, being then in Egypt on account of his +health[78], had gone on board at Alexandria. The body was conveyed to +London by special train and deposited in the rooms of the Geographical +Society in Saville Row. + +[Footnote 78: Thomas never regained robust health. He died at +Alexandria, 15th March, 1876.] + +In the course of the evening the remains were examined by Sir William +Fergusson and several other medical gentleman, including Dr. Loudon, of +Hamilton, whose professional skill and great kindness to his family had +gained for him a high place in the esteem and love of Livingstone. To +many persons it had appeared so incredible that the remains should have +been brought from the heart of Africa to London, that some conclusive +identification of the body seemed to be necessary to set all doubt at +rest. The state of the arm, the one that had been broken by the lion, +supplied the crucial evidence. "Exactly in the region of the attachment +of the deltoid to the humerus" (said Sir William Fergusson in a +contribution to the _Lancet_, April 18, 1874), "there were the +indications of an oblique fracture. On moving the arm there were the +indications of an ununited fracture. A closer identification and +dissection displayed the false joint that had so long ago been so well +recognized by those who had examined the arm in former days.... The +first glance set my mind at rest, and that, with the further +examination, made me as positive as to the identification of these +remains as that there has been among us in modern times one of the +greatest men of the human race--David Livingstone." + +On Saturday, April 18, 1874, the remains of the great traveler were +committed to their resting-place near the centre of the nave of +Westminster Abbey. Many old friends of Livingstone came to be present, +and many of his admirers, who could not but avail themselves of the +opportunity to pay a last tribute of respect to his memory. The Abbey +was crowded in every part from which the spectacle might be seen. The +pall-bearers were Mr. H.M. Stanley, Jacob Wainwright, Sir T. Steele, Dr. +Kirk, Mr. W.F. Webb, Rev. Horace Waller, Mr. Oswell, and Mr. E.D. Young. +Two of these, Mr. Waller and Dr. Kirk, along with Dr. Stewart, who was +also present, had assisted twelve years before at the funeral of Mrs. +Livingstone at Shupanga. Dr. Moffat, too, was there, full of sorrowful +admiration. Amid a service which was emphatically impressive +throughout, the simple words of the hymn, sung to the tune of Tallis, +were peculiarly touching: + + "O God of Bethel! by whose hand + Thy people still are fed, + Who through this weary pilgrimage + Hast all our fathers led." + +The black slab that now marks the resting-place of Livingstone bears +this inscription: + + BROUGHT BY FAITHFUL HANDS + OVER LAND AND SEA, + + HERE RESTS + + DAVID LIVINGSTONE, + + MISSIONARY, TRAVELER, PHILANTHROPIST, + + BORN MARCH 19, 1813, + AT BLANTYRE, LANARKSHIRE. + + DIED MAY 4,[79] 1873, + AT CHITAMBO'S VILLAGE, ILALA. + + [Footnote 79: In the _Last Journals_ the date is 1st May; on + the stone, 4th May. The attendants could not quite + determine the day.] + + For thirty years his life was spent in an unwearied effort to evangelize + the native races, to explore the undiscovered secrets, + and abolish the desolating slave-trade of Central Africa, + and where, with his last words he wrote: + "All I can say in my solitude is, may Heaven's rich blessing + come down on every one--American, English, Turk-- + who will help to heal this open sore of the world." + +Along the right border of the stone are the words: + + TANTUS AMOR VERI, NIHIL EST QUOD NOSCERE MALIM + QUAM FLUVII CAUSAS PER SÆCULA TANTA LATEHTES. + +And along the left border: + + OTHER SHEEP I HAVE WHICH ARE NOT OF THIS FOLD, + THEM ALSO I MUST BRING, AND THEY SHALL HEAR MY VOICE. + +On the 25th June, 1868, not far from the northern border of that lake +Bangweolo on whose southern shore he passed away, Dr. Livingstone came +on a grave in a forest. He says of it: + +"It was a little rounded mound, as if the occupant sat in it in the +usual native way; it was strewed over with flour, and a number of the +large blue beads put on it; a little path showed that it had visitors. +This is the sort of grave I should prefer: to be in the still, still +forest, and no hand ever disturb my bones. The graves at home always +seemed to me to be miserable, especially those in the cold, damp clay, +and without elbow-room; but I have nothing to do but wait till He who is +over all decides where I have to lay me down and die. Poor Mary lies on +Shupanga brae, 'and beeks fornent the sun.'" + +"He who is over all" decreed that while his heart should lie in a leafy +forest, in such a spot as he loved, his bones should repose in a great +Christian temple, where many, day by day, as they read his name, would +recall his noble Christian life, and feel how like he was to Him of whom +it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord +hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek: He hath sent me to +bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the +opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable +year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all +that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them +beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for +the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of +righteousness, the planting of the Lord; that He might be glorified." + + "Droop half-mast colors, bow, bareheaded crowds, + As this plain coffin o'er the side is slung, + To pass by woods of masts and ratlined shrouds, + As erst by Afric's trunks, liana-hung. + + 'Tis the last mile of many thousands trod + With failing strength but never-failing will, + By the worn frame, now at its rest with God, + That never rested from its fight with ill. + + Or if the ache of travel and of toil + Would sometimes wring a short, sharp cry of pain + From agony of fever, blain, and boil, + 'Twas but to crush it down and on again! + + He knew not that the trumpet he had blown + Out of the darkness of that dismal land, + Had reached and roused an army of its own + To strike the chains from the slave's fettered hand. + + Now we believe, he knows, sees all is well; + How God had stayed his will and shaped his way, + To bring the light to those that darkling dwell + With gains that life's devotion well repay. + + Open the Abbey doors and bear him in + To sleep with king and statesman, chief and sage, + The missionary come of weaver-kin, + But great by work that brooks no lower wage. + + He needs no epitaph to guard a name + Which men shall prize while worthy work is known; + He lived and died for good--be that his fame: + Let marble crumble: this is Living--stone."--_Punch_. + +Eulogiums on the dead are often attempts, sometimes sufficiently clumsy, +to conceal one-half of the truth and fill the eye with the other. In the +case of Livingstone there is really nothing to conceal. In tracing his +life in these pages we have found no need for the brilliant colors of +the rhetorician, the ingenuity of the partisan, or the enthusiasm of the +hero-worshiper. We have felt, from first to last, that a plain, honest +statement of the truth regarding him would be a higher panegyric than +any ideal picture that could be drawn. The best tributes paid to his +memory by distinguished countrymen were the most literal--we might +almost say the most prosaic. It is but a few leaves we can reproduce of +the many wreaths that were laid on his tomb. + +Sir Bartle Frere, as President of the Royal Geographical Society, after +a copious notice of his life, summed it up in these words: "As a whole, +the work of his life will surely be held up in ages to come as one of +singular nobleness of design, and of unflinching energy and +self-sacrifice in execution. It will be long ere any one man will be +able to open so large an extent of unknown land to civilized mankind. +Yet longer, perhaps, ere we find a brighter example of a life of such +continued and useful self-devotion to a noble cause." + +In a recent letter to Dr. Livingstone's eldest daughter, Sir Bartle +Frere (after saying that he was first introduced to Dr. Livingstone by +Mr. Phillip, the painter, as "one of the noblest men he had ever met," +and rehearsing the history of his early acquaintance) remarks: + +"I could hardly venture to describe my estimate of his character as a +Christian further than by saying that I never met a man who fulfilled +more completely my idea of a perfect Christian gentleman,--actuated in +what he thought and said and did by the highest and most chivalrous +spirit, modeled on the precepts of his great Master and Exemplar. + +"As a man of science, I am less competent to judge, for my knowledge of +his work is to a great extent second-hand; but derived, as it is, from +observers like Sir Thomas Maclear, and geographers like Arrowsmith, I +believe him to be quite unequaled as a scientific traveler, in the care +and accuracy with which he observed. In other branches of science I had +more opportunities of satisfying myself, and of knowing how keen and +accurate was his observation, and how extensive his knowledge of +everything connected with natural science; but every page of his +journals, to the last week of his life, testified to his wonderful +natural powers and accurate observation. Thirdly, as a missionary and +explorer I have always put him in the very first rank. He seemed to me +to possess in the most wonderful degree that union of opposite qualities +which were required for such a work as opening out heathen Africa to +Christianity and civilization. No man had a keener sympathy with even +the most barbarous and unenlightened; none had a more ardent desire to +benefit and improve the most abject. In his aims, no man attempted, on a +grander or more thorough scale, to benefit and improve those of his race +who most needed improvement and light. In the execution of what he +undertook, I never met his equal for energy and sagacity, and I feel +sure that future ages will place him among the very first of those +missionaries, who, following the apostles, have continued to carry the +light of the gospel to the darkest regions of the world, throughout the +last 1800 years. As regards the value of the work he accomplished, it +might be premature to speak,--not that I think it possible I can +over-estimate it, but because I feel sure that every year will add fresh +evidence to show how well-considered were the plans he took in hand, and +how vast have been the results of the movements he set in motion." + +The generous and hearty appreciation of Livingstone by the medical +profession was well expressed in the words of the _Lancet_: "Few men +have disappeared from our ranks more universally deplored, as few have +served in them with a higher purpose, or shed upon them the lustre of a +purer devotion." + +Lord Polwarth, in acknowledging a letter from Dr. Livingstone's +daughter, thanking him for some words on her father, wrote thus: "I have +long cherished the memory of his example, and feel that the truest +beauty was his essentially Christian spirit. Many admire in him the +great explorer and the noble-hearted philanthropist; but I like to think +of him, not only thus, but as a man who was a servant of God, loved his +Word intensely, and while he spoke to men of God, spoke more to God +of men, + +"His memory will never perish, though the first freshness, and the +impulse it gives just now, may fade; but his prayers will be had in +everlasting remembrance, and unspeakable blessings will yet flow to that +vast continent he opened up at the expense of his life. God called and +qualified him for a noble work, which, by grace, he nobly fulfilled, and +we can love the honored servant, and adore the gracious Master." + +Lastly, we give the beautiful wreath of Florence Nightingale, also in +the form of a letter to Dr. Livingstone's daughter: + + "LONDON, _Feb._ 18_th_,1874. + + "DEAR MISS LIVINGSTONE,--I am only one of all England which + is feeling with you and for you at this moment. + + "But Sir Bartle Frere encourages me to write to you. + + "We cannot help still yearning to hear of some hope that your + great father may be still alive. + + "God knows; and in knowing that He knows who is all wisdom, + goodness, and power, we must find our rest. + + "He has taken away, if at last it be as we fear, the greatest + man of his generation, for Dr. Livingstone stood alone. + + "There are few enough, but a few statesmen. There are few + enough, but a few great in medicine, or in art, or in poetry. + There are a few great travelers. But Dr. Livingstone stood + alone as the great Missionary Traveler, the bringer-in of + civilization; or rather the pioneer of civilization--he that + cometh before--to races lying in darkness. + + "I always think of him as what John the Baptist, had he been + living in the nineteenth century, would have been. + + "Dr. Livingstone's fame was so world-wide that there were + other nations who understood him even better than we did. + + "Learned philologists from Germany, not at all orthodox in + their opinions, have yet told me that Dr. Livingstone was the + only man who understood races, and how to deal with them for + good; that he was the one true missionary. We cannot console + ourselves for our loss. He is irreplaceable. + + "It is not sad that he should have died out there. Perhaps it + was the thing, much as he yearned for home, that was the + fitting end for him. He may have felt it so himself. + + "But would that he could have completed that which he offered + his life to God to do! + + "If God took him, however, it was that his life was completed + in God's sight; his work finished, the most glorious work of + our generation. + + "He has opened those countries for God to enter in. He struck + the first blow to abolish a hideous slave-trade. + + "He, like Stephen, was the first martyr. + + "'He climbed the steep ascent of heaven, + Through peril, toil, and pain; + O God! to us may grace be given + To follow in his train!' + + "To us it is very dreary, not to have seen him again, that he + should have had none of us by him at the last; no last word + or message. + + "I feel this with regard to my dear father and one who was + more than mother to me, Mrs. Bracebridge, who went with me to + the Crimean war, both of whom were taken from me last month. + + "How much more must we feel it, with regard to out great + discoverer and hero, dying so far off! + + "But does he regret it? How much he must know now! how much + he must have enjoyed! + + "Though how much we would give to know _his_ thoughts, + _alone with God_, during the latter days of his life. + + "May we not say, with old Baxter (something altered from that + verse)? + + "'My knowledge of that life is small, + The eye of faith is dim; + But 'tis enough that _Christ knows all_, + And he will be with _Him_.' + + "Let us think only of him and of his present happiness, his + eternal happiness, and may God say to us: 'Let not your heart + be troubled,' Let us exchange a 'God bless you,' and fetch a + real blessing from God in saying so. + + "Florence Nightingale" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +POSTHUMOUS INFLUENCE. + +History of his life not completed at his death--Thrilling effect of the +tragedy of Ilala--Livingstone's influence on the slave-trade--His +letters from Manyuema--Sir Bartle Frere's mission to +Zanzibar--Successful efforts of Dr. Kirk with Sultan of Zanzibar--The +land route--The sea route--Slave-trade declared illegal--Egypt--The +Soudan--Colonel Gordon--Conventions with Turkey--King Mtesa of +Uganda--Nyassa district--Introduction of lawful commerce--Various +commercial enterprises in progress--Influence of Livingstone on +exploration--Enterprise of newspapers--Exploring undertakings of various +nations--Livingstone's personal service to science--His hard work in +science the cause of respect--His influence on missionary +enterprise--Livingstonia--Dr. Stewart.--Mr. E.D. Young--Blantyre--The +Universities Mission under Bishop Steere--Its return to the mainland and +to Nyassa district--Church Missionary Society at Nyanza--London +Missionary Society at Tanganyika--French, Inland, Baptist, and American +missions--Medical missions--The Fisk Livingstone hall--Livingstone's +great legacy to Africa, a spotless Christian name and character--Honors +of the future. + + +The heart of David Livingstone was laid under the mvula-tree in Ilala, +and his bones in Westminster Abbey; but his spirit marched on. The +history of his life is not completed with the record of his death. The +continual cry of his heart to be permitted to finish his work was +answered, answered thoroughly, though not in the way he thought of. The +thrill that went through the civilized world when his death and all its +touching circumstances became known, did more for Africa than he could +have done had he completed his task and spent years in this country +following it up. From the worn-out figure kneeling at the bedside in the +hut in Ilala an electric spark seemed to fly, quickening hearts on every +side. The statesman felt it; it put new vigor into the despatches he +wrote and the measures he devised with regard to the slave-trade. The +merchant felt it, and began to plan in earnest how to traverse the +continent with roads and railways, and open it to commerce from shore to +centre. The explorer felt it, and started with high purpose on new +scenes of unknown danger. The missionary felt it,--felt it a reproof of +past languor and unbelief, and found himself lifted up to a higher level +of faith and devotion. No parliament of philanthropy was held; but the +verdict was as unanimous and as hearty as if the Christian world had met +and passed the resolution--"Livingstone's work shall not die: AFRICA +SHALL LIVE." + +A rapid glance at the progress of events during the seven years that +have elapsed since the death of Livingstone will show best what +influence he wielded after his death. Whether we consider the steps that +have been taken to suppress the slave-trade, the progress of commercial +undertakings, the successful journeys of explorers stimulated by his +example who have gone from shore to shore, or the new enterprises of the +various missionary bodies, carried out by agents with somewhat of +Livingstone's spirit, we shall see what a wonderful revolution he +effected,--how entirely he changed the prospects of Africa. + +Livingstone himself had the impression that his long and weary detention +in Manyuema was designed by Providence to enable him to know and +proclaim to the world the awful horrors of the slave-trade. When his +despatches and letters from that region were published in this country, +the matter was taken up in the highest quarters. After the Queen's +Speech had drawn the attention of Parliament to it, a Royal Commission, +and then a Select Committee of the House of Commons, prepared the way +for further action. Sir Bartle Frere was to Zanzibar, with the view of +negotiating a treaty with the Sultan, to render illegal all traffic in +slaves by sea. Sir Bartle was unable to persuade the Sultan, but left +the matter in the hands of Dr. Kirk, who succeeded in 1873 in +negotiating the treaty, and got the shipment of slaves prohibited over a +sea-board of nearly a thousand miles. But the slave-dealer was too +clever to yield; for the route by sea he simply substituted a route by +land, which, instead of diminishing the horrors of the traffic, actually +made them greater. Dr. Kirk's energies had to be employed in getting the +land traffic placed in the same category as that by sea, and here, too, +he was successful, so that within the dominions of the Sultan of +Zanzibar, the slave-trade, as a legal enterprise, came to an end. + +But Zanzibar was but a fragment of Africa. In no other part of the +continent was it of more importance that the traffic should be arrested +than in Egypt, and in parts of the Empire of Turkey in Africa under the +control of the Sultan. The late Khedive of Egypt was hearty in the +cause, less, perhaps, from dislike of the slave-trade, than from his +desire to hold good rank among the Western powers, and to enjoy the +favorable opinion of England. By far the most important contribution of +the Khedive to the cause lay in his committing the vast region of the +Soudan to the hands of our countryman, Colonel Gordon, whose recent +resignation of the office has awakened so general regret. Hating the +slave-trade, Colonel Gordon employed his remarkable influence over +native chiefs and tribes in discouraging it, and with great effect. To +use his own words, recently spoken to a friend, he cut off the +slave-dealers in their strongholds, and he made all his people love him. +Few men, indeed, have shown more of Livingstone's spirit in managing the +natives than Gordon Pasha, or furnished better proof that for really +doing away with the slave-trade more is needed than a good treaty--there +must be a hearty and influential Executive to carry out its provisions. +Our conventions with Turkey have come to little or nothing. They have +shared the usual fate of Turkish promises. Even the convention announced +with considerable confidence in the Queen's speech on 5th February, +1880, if the tenor of it be as it has been reported in the _Temps_ +newspaper, leaves far too much in the hands of the Turks, and unless it +be energetically and constantly enforced by this country, will fail in +its object. To this end, however, we trust that the attention of our +Government will be earnestly directed. The Turkish traffic is +particularly hateful, for it is carried on mainly for purposes of +sensuality and show. + +The abolition of the slave-trade by King Mtesa, chief of Waganda, near +Lake Victoria Nyanza, is one of the most recent fruits of the agitation. +The services of Mr. Mackay, a countryman of Livingstone's, and an agent +of the Church Missionary Society, contributed mainly to this +remarkable result. + +Such facts show that not only has the slave-trade become illegal in some +of the separate states of Africa, but that an active spirit has been +roused against it, which, if duly directed, may yet achieve much more. +The trade, however, breeds a reckless spirit, which cares little for +treaties or enactments, and is ready to continue the traffic as a +smuggling business after it has been declared illegal. In the Nyassa +district, from which to a large extent it has disappeared, it is by no +means suppressed. It is quite conceivable that it may revive after the +temporary alarm of the dealers has subsided. The remissness, and even +the connivance, of the Portuguese authorities has been a great hindrance +to its abolition. All who desire to carry out the noble object of +Livingstone's life will therefore do well to urge her Majesty's +Ministers, members of Parliament, and all who have influence, to renewed +and unremitting efforts toward the complete and final abolition of the +traffic throughout the whole of Africa. To this consummation the honor +of Great Britain is conspicuously pledged, and it is one to which +statesmen of all parties have usually been proud to contribute. + +If we pass from the slave-trade to the promotion of lawful commerce, we +find the influence of Livingstone hardly less apparent in not a few +undertakings recently begun. Animated by the memory of his four months' +fellowship with Livingstone, Mr. Stanley has undertaken the exploration +of the Congo or Livingstone River, because it was a work that +Livingstone desired to be done. With a body of Kroomen and others he is +now at work making a road from near Banza Noki to Stanley Pool. He takes +a steamer in sections to be put together above the Falls, and with it he +intends to explore and to open to commerce the numerous great navigable +tributaries of the Livingstone River. Mr. Stanley has already +established steam communication between the French station near the +mouth of the Congo and his own station near Banza Noki or Embomma. The +"Livingstone Central African Company, Limited," with Mr. James +Stevenson, of Glasgow, as chairman, has constructed a road along the +Murchison Rapids, thus making the original route of Livingstone +available between Quilimane and the Nyassa district, and is doing much +more to advance Christian civilization. France, Belgium, Germany, and +Italy have all been active in promoting commercial schemes. A +magnificent proposal has been made, under French auspices, for a railway +across the Soudan. There is a proposal from Manchester to connect the +great lakes with the sea by a railway from the coast opposite Zanzibar. +Another scheme is for a railway from the Zambesi to Lake Nyassa. A +telegraph through Egypt has been projected to the South African colonies +of Britain, passing by Nyassa and Shiré. An Italian colony on a large +scale has been projected in the dominions of Menelek, king of Shoa, near +the Somali land. Any statement of the various commercial schemes begun +or contemplated would probably be defective, because new enterprises are +so often appearing. But all this shows what a new light has burst on the +commercial world as to the capabilities of Africa in a trading point of +view. There seems, indeed, no reason why Africa should not furnish most +of the products which at present we derive from India. As a market for +our manufactures, it is capable, even with a moderate amount of +civilization, of becoming one of our most extensive customers. The voice +that proclaimed these things in 1857 was the voice of one crying in the +wilderness; but it is now repeated in a thousand echoes. + +In stimulating African exploration the influence of Livingstone was very +decided. He was the first of the galaxy of modern African travelers, for +both in the Geographical Society and in the world at large his name +became famous before those of Baker, Grant, Speke, Burton, Stanley, and +Cameron. Stanley, inspired first by the desire of finding him, became +himself a remarkable and successful traveler. The same remark is +applicable to Cameron. Not only did Livingstone stimulate professed +geographers, but, what was truly a novelty in the annals of exploration, +he set newspaper companies to open up Africa. The _New York Herald_, +having found Livingstone, became hungry for new discoveries, and +enlisting a brother-in-arms, Mr. Edwin Arnold and the _Daily Telegraph_, +the two papers united to send Mr. Stanley "to fresh woods and pastures +new." Under the auspices of the African Exploration Society, and the +directions of the Royal Geographical, Mr. Keith Johnston and Mr. Joseph +Thomson undertook the exploration of the country between Dar es Salaam +and Lake Nyassa, the former falling a victim to illness, the latter +penetrating through unexplored regions to Nyassa, and subsequently +extending his journey to Tanganyika. We can but name the international +enterprise resulting from Brussels Conference; the French researches of +Lieutenant de Semellé and of de Brazza; the various German Expeditions +of Dr. Lenz, Dr. Pogge, Dr. Fischer, and Herr Denhardts; and the +Portuguese exploration on the west, from Benguela to the head-waters of +the Zambesi. Africa does not want for explorers, and generally they are +men bent on advancing legitimate commerce and the improvement of the +people. It would be a comfort if we could think of all as having this +for their object; but tares, we fear, will always be mingled with the +good seed; and if there have been travelers who have led immoral lives +and sought their own amusement only, and traders who by trafficking in +rum and such things have demoralized the natives, they have only shown +that in some natures selfishness is too deeply imbedded to be affected +by the noblest examples. + +Livingstone himself traveled twenty-nine thousand miles in Africa, and +added to the known part of the globe about a million square miles. He +discovered Lakes 'Ngami, Shirwa, Nyassa, Moero, and Bangweolo; the upper +Zambesi, and many other rivers; made known the wonderful Victoria Falls; +also the high ridges flanking the depressed basin of the central +plateau; he was the first European to traverse the whole length of Lake +Tanganyika, and to give it its true orientation; he traversed in much +pain and sorrow the vast watershed near Lake Bangweolo, and, through no +fault of his own, just missed the information that would have set at +rest all his surmises about the sources of the Nile. His discoveries +were never mere happy guesses or vague descriptions from the accounts of +natives; each spot was determined with the utmost precision, though at +the time his head might be giddy from fever or his body tormented with +pain. He strove after an accurate notion of the form and structure of +the continent; Investigated its geology, hydrography, botany, and +zoölogy; and grappled with the two great enemies of man and beast that +prey on it--fever and tsetse. Yet all these were matters apart from the +great business of his life. In science he was neither amateur nor +dilettante, but a careful, patient, laborious worker. And hence his high +position, and the respect he inspired in the scientific world. Small men +might peck and nibble at him, but the true kings of science,--the Owens, +Murchisons, Herschels, Sedgwicks, and Fergussons--honored him the more +the longer they knew him. We miss an important fact in his life if we do +not take note of the impression which he made on such men. + +Last, but not least, we note the marvelous expansion of missionary +enterprise in Africa since Livingstone's death. Though he used no +sensational methods of appeal, he had a wonderful power to draw men to +the mission field. In his own quiet way, he not only enlisted recruits, +but inspired them with the enthusiasm of their calling. Not even Charles +Simeon, during his long residence at Cambridge, sent more men to India +than Livingstone drew to Africa in his brief visit to the Universities. +It seemed as if he suddenly awakened the minds of young men to a new +view of the grand purposes of life. Mr. Monk wrote to him truly, "That +Cambridge visit of yours. lighted a candle which will NEVER, NEVER +go out." + +At the time of his death there was no missionary at work in the great +region of Shiré and Nyassa on which his heart was so much set. The first +to take possession were his countrymen of Scotland. The Livingstonia +mission and settlement of the Free Church, planned by Dr. Stewart, of +Lovedale, who had gone out to reconnoitre in 1863, and begun in 1875, +has now three stations on the lake, and has won the highest commendation +of such travelers as the late Consul Elton[80]. Much of the success of +this enterprise is due to Livingstone's old comrade, Mr. E.D. Young, +R.N., who led the party, and by his great experience and wonderful way +of managing the natives, laid not only the founders of Livingstonia, +but the friends of Africa, under obligations that have never been +sufficiently acknowledged[81]. In concert with the "Livingstone Central +African Company," considerable progress has been made in exploring the +neighboring regions, and the recent exploit of Mr. James Stewart, C.E., +one of the lay helpers of the Mission, in traversing the country between +Nyassa and Tanganyika, is an important contribution to geography[82]. It +would have gratified Livingstone to think that in conducting this +settlement several of the Scotch Churches were practically at one--Free, +Reformed, and United Presbyterian; while at Blantyre, on the Shiré, the +Established Church of Scotland, with a mission and a colony of +mechanics, has taken its share in the work. + +[Footnote 80: _Lakes and Mountains of Africa_, pp. 277, 280.] + +[Footnote 81: See his work. _Nyassa_: London, 1877.] + +[Footnote 82: See _Transactions of Royal Geographical Society_, 1880.] + +Under Bishop Steere, the successor of Bishop Tozer, the Universities +Mission has re-occupied part of the mainland, and the freed-slave +village of Masasi, situated between the sea and Nyassa, to the north of +the Rovuma, enjoys a measure of prosperity which has never been +interrupted during the three or four years of its existence. Other +stations have been formed, or are projected, one of them on the eastern +margin of the lake. The Church Missionary Society has occupied the +shores of Victoria Nyanza, achieving great results amid many trials and +sacrifices, at first wonderfully aided and encouraged by King Mtesa, +though, as we write, we hear accounts of a change of policy which is +grievously disappointing. Lake Tanganyika has been occupied by the +London Missionary Society. + +The "Société des Missions Évangéliques," of Paris, has made preparations +for occupying the Barotse Valley, near the head-waters of the Zambesi. +The Livingstone Inland Mission has some missionaries on the Atlantic +Coast at the mouth of the Congo, and others who are working inward, +while a monthly journal is edited by Mrs. Grattan Guinness, entitled +_The Regions Beyond_. The Baptist Missionary Society has a mission in +the same district, toward the elucidation of which the Rev. J. T. +Comber's _Explorations Inland from Mount Cameroons and through Congo to +Mkouta_ have thrown considerable light. + +More recently still, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign +Missions, having resolved to devote to Africa Mr. Otis's munificent +bequest of a million dollars, appointed the Rev. Dr. Means to collect +information as to the most suitable openings for missions in Central +Africa; and on his recommendation, after considering the claims of seven +other localities, have decided to adopt as their field the region of +Bihé and the Coanza, an upland tract to the east of Benguela, healthy +and suitable for European colonization, and as yet not occupied by any +missionary body. Thus the Old World and the New are joining their forces +for the evangelization of Africa. And they are not only occupying +regions which Livingstone recommended, but are trying to work his +principle of combining colonization with missions, so as to give their +people an actual picture of Christianity as it is exemplified in the +ordinary affairs of life. + +Besides missions on the old principle, Medical Missions have received a +great impulse through Livingstone. When mission work in Central Africa +began to be seriously entertained, men like Dr. Laws, the late Dr. +Black, and the late Dr. Smith, all medical missionaries, were among the +first to offer their services. The Edinburgh Medical Mission made quite +a new start when it gave the name of Livingstone to its buildings. +Another institution that has adopted the name for a hall in which to +train colored people for African work is the Fisk University, Tennessee, +made famous by the Jubilee Singers. + +In glancing at these results of Livingstone's influence in the mission +field, we must not forget that of all his legacies to Africa by far the +highest was the spotless name and bright Christian character which have +become associated every where with its great missionary explorer. From +the first day of his sojourn in Africa to the last, "patient continuance +in well-doing" was the great charm through which he sought, with God's +blessing, to win the confidence of Africa. Before the poorest African he +maintained self-restraint and self-respect as carefully as in the best +society at home. No prevailing relaxation of the moral code in those +wild, dark regions ever lowered his tone or lessened his regard for the +proprieties of Christian or civilized life. Scandal is so rampant among +the natives of Africa that even men of high character have sometimes +suffered from its lying tongue; but in the case of Livingstone there was +such an enamel of purity upon his character that no filth could stick to +it, and none was thrown. What Livingstone did in order to keep his word +to his poor attendants was a wonder in Africa, as it was the admiration +of the world. His way of trusting them, too, was singularly winning. He +would go up to a fierce chief, surrounded by his grinning warriors, with +the same easy gait and kindly smile with which he would have approached +his friends at Kuruman or Hamilton. It was the highest tribute that the +slave-traders in the Zambesi district paid to his character when for +their own vile ends they told the people that they were the children of +Livingstone. It was the charm of his name that enabled Mr. E.D. Young, +while engaged in founding the Livingstonia settlement, to obtain six +hundred carriers to transport the pieces of the Ilala steamer past the +Murchison Cataracts, carrying loads of great weight for forty miles, at +six yards of calico each, without a single piece of the vessel being +lost or thrown away. The noble conduct of the band that for eight months +carried his remains toward the coast was a crowning proof of the love +he inspired. + +Nearly every day some new token comes to light of the affection and +honor with which he was regarded all over Central Africa. On 12th April, +1880, the Rev. Chauncy Maples, of the Universities Mission, in a paper +read to the Geographical Society, describing a journey to the Rovuma and +the Makonde country, told of a man he found there, with the relic of an +old coat over his right shoulder, evidently of English manufacture. It +turned out, from the man's statement, that ten years ago a white man, +the donor of the coat, had traveled with him to Mataka's, whom to have +once seen and talked with was to remember for life; a white man who +treated black men as his brothers, and whose memory would be cherished +all along the Rovuma Valley after they were all dead and gone; a short +man with a bushy moustache, and a keen piercing eye, whose words were +always gentle, and whose manners were always kind; whom, as a leader, it +was a privilege to follow, and who knew the way to the hearts of +all men. + +That early and life-long prayer of Livingstone's--that he might resemble +Christ--was fulfilled in no ordinary degree. It will be an immense +benefit to all future missionaries in Africa that, in explaining to the +people what practical Christianity means, they will have but to point to +the life and character of the man whose name will stand first among +African benefactors in centuries to come. A foreigner has remarked that, +"in the nineteenth century, the white has made a man out of the black; +in the twentieth century, Europe will make a world out of Africa." When +that world is made, and generation after generation of intelligent +Africans look back on its beginnings, as England looks back on the days +of King Alfred, Ireland of St. Patrick, Scotland of St. Columba, or the +United States of George Washington, the name that will be encircled by +them with brightest honor is that of DAVID LIVINGSTONE. Mabotsa, +Chonuane, and Kolobeng will be visited with thrilling interest by many a +pilgrim, and some grand memorial pile in Ilala will mark the spot where +his heart reposes. And when preachers and teachers speak of this man, +when fathers tell their children what Africa owes to him, and when the +question is asked what made him so great and so good, the answer will +be, that he lived by the faith of the Son of God, and that the love of +Christ constrained him to live and die for Africa. + + + + +APPENDIX. + +No. I. + +EXTRACTS FROM PAPER ON "MISSIONARY SACRIFICES." + +It is something to be a missionary. The morning stars sang together and +all the sons of God shouted for joy, when they first saw the field which +the first missionary was to fill. The great and terrible God, before +whom angels veil their faces, had an Only Son, and He was sent to the +habitable parts of the earth as a missionary physician. It is something +to be a follower, however feeble, in the wake of the Great Teacher and +only Model Missionary that ever appeared among men; and now that He is +Head over all things, King of kings and Lord of lords, what commission +is equal to that which the missionary holds from Him? May we venture to +invite young men of education, when laying down the plan of their lives, +to take a glance at that of missionary? We will magnify the office. + +The missionary is sent forth as a messenger of the Churches, after +undergoing the scrutiny and securing the approbation of a host of +Christian ministers, who, by their own talent and worth, have risen to +the pastorate over the most intelligent and influential churches in the +land, and who, moreover, can have no motive to influence their selection +but the desire to secure the most efficient instrumentality for the +missionary work. So much care and independent investigation are bestowed +on the selection as to make it plain that extraneous influences can have +but small power. No pastor can imagine that any candidate has been +accepted through his recommendations, however warm these may have been; +and the missionary may go forth to the heathen, satisfied that in the +confidence of the directors he has a testimonial infinitely superior to +letters-apostolic from the Archbishop of Canterbury, or from the Vatican +at Borne. A missionary, surely, cannot undervalue his commission, as +soon as it is put into his hands. + +But what means the lugubrious wail that too often bursts from the circle +of his friends? The tears shed might be excused if he were going to +Norfolk Island at the Government expense. But sometimes the missionary +note is pitched on the same key. The white cliffs of Dover become +immensely dear to those who never cared for masses of chalk before. +Pathetic plaints are penned about laying their bones on a foreign shore, +by those who never thought of making aught of their bones at home. +(Bone-dust is dear nowhere, we think.) And then there is the +never-ending talk and wringing of hands over missionary "sacrifices." +The man is surely going to be hanged, instead of going to serve in +Christ's holy Gospel! Is this such service as He deserves who, though +rich, for our sakes became poor? There is so much in the _manner_ of +giving; some bestow their favors so gracefully, their value to the +recipient is doubled. From others, a gift is as good as a blow in the +face. Are we not guilty of treating our Lord somewhat more scurvily than +we would treat our indigent fellow-men? We stereotype the word "charity" +in our language, as applicable to a contribution to his cause. "So many +charities,--we cannot afford them." Is not the word ungraciously applied +to the Lord Jesus, as if He were a poor beggar, and an unworthy one too? +His are the cattle on a thousand hills, the silver and the gold; and +worthy is the Lamb that was slain. We treat Him ill. Bipeds of the +masculine gender assume the piping phraseology of poor old women in +presence of Him before whom the Eastern Magi fell down and +worshiped,--ay, and opened their treasures, and presented unto Him +gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They will give their "mites" as if +what they do give were their "all." It is utterly unfair to magnify the +little we do for Him by calling it a sacrifice, or pretend we are doing +all we can by assuming the tones of poor widows. He asks a willing mind, +cheerful obedience; and can we not give that to Him who made his +Father's will in our salvation as his meat and his drink, till He bowed +his head and gave up the ghost? + +Hundreds of young men annually leave our shores as cadets. All their +friends rejoice when they think of them bearing the commissions of our +Queen. When any dangerous expedition is planned by Government, more +volunteers apply than are necessary to man it. On the proposal to send a +band of brave men in search of Sir John Franklin, a full complement for +the ships could have been procured of officers alone, without any common +sailors. And what thousands rushed to California, from different parts +of America, on the discovery of the gold! How many husbands left their +wives and families! How many Christian men tore themselves away from all +home endearments to suffer, and toil, and perish by cold and starvation +on the overland route! How many sank from fever and exhaustion on the +banks of Sacramento! Yet no word of sacrifices there. And why should we +so regard all we give and do for the Well-beloved of our souls? Our talk +of sacrifices is ungenerous and heathenish.... + +It is something to be a missionary. He is sometimes inclined, in seasons +of despondency and trouble, to feel as if forgotten. But for whom do +more prayers ascend?--prayers from the secret place, and from those only +who are known to God. Mr. Moffat met those in England who had made his +mission the subject of special prayer for more than twenty years, though +they had no personal knowledge of the missionary. Through the long +fifteen years of no success, of toil and sorrow, these secret ones were +holding up his hands. And who can tell how often his soul may have been +refreshed through their intercessions?... + +It is something to be a missionary. The heart is expanded and filled +with generous sympathies; sectarian bigotry is eroded, and the spirit of +reclusion which makes it doubtful if some denominations have yet made up +their minds to meet those who differ with them in heaven loses much of +its fire.... + +There are many puzzles and entanglements, temptations, trials, and +perplexities, which tend to inure the missionary's virtue. The +difficulties encountered prevent his faith from growing languid. He must +walk by faith, and though the horizon be all dark and lowering, he must +lean on Him whom, having not seen, he loves. The future--a glorious +future--is that for which he labors. It lies before him as we have seen +the lofty coast of Brazil. No chink in the tree-covered rocks appears to +the seaman; but he glides right on. He works toward the coast, and when +he enters the gateway by the sugar-loaf hill, there opens to the view +in the Bay of Rio a scene of luxuriance and beauty unequaled in the +world beside. + +The missionary's head will lie low, and others will have entered into +his labors, before his ideal is realized. The Future for which he works +is one which, though sure, has never yet been seen. The earth shall be +filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. The missionary is a +harbinger of the good time coming. When he preaches the Gospel to a +tribe which has long sat in darkness, the signs of the coming of the Son +of Man are displayed, The glorious Sun of Righteousness is near the +horizon. He is the herald of the dawn, for come He will whose right it +is to reign; and what a prospect appears, when we think of the golden +age which has not been, but must yet come! Messiah has sat on the Hill +of Zion for 1800 years. He has been long expecting that his enemies +shall be made his footstool; and may we not expect, too, and lift up our +heads, seeing the redemption of the world draweth nigh? The bow in the +cloud once spread its majestic arch over the smoke of the fat of lambs +ascending as a sweet-smelling savor before God--a sign of the covenant +of peace--and the flickering light of the Shechinah often intimated the +good-will of Jehovah. But these did not more certainly show the presence +of the Angel of the Covenant than does the shaking among the nations the +presence and energy of God's Holy Spirit; and to be permitted to rank as +a fellow-worker with Him is a mercy of mercies. O Love Divine! how cold +is our love to Thee! True, the missionary of the present day is only a +stepping-stone to the future; but what a privilege he possesses! He is +known to "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of +angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received +up into Glory." Is that not enough? + +Who would not be a missionary? His noble enterprise is in exact +accordance with the spirit of the age, and what is called the spirit of +the age is simply the movement of multitudes of minds in the same +direction. They move according to the eternal and all-embracing decrees +of God. The spirit of the age is one of benevolence, and it manifests +itself in numberless ways--ragged schools, baths and wash-houses, +sanitary reform, etc. Hence missionaries do not live before their time. +Their great idea of converting the world to Christ is no chimera: it is +Divine. Christianity will triumph. It is equal to all it has to +perform. It is not mere enthusiasm to imagine a handful of missionaries +capable of converting the millions of India. How often they are cut off +just after they have acquired the language! How often they retire with +broken-down constitutions before effecting anything! How often they drop +burning tears over their own feebleness amid the defections of those +they believed to be converts! Yes! but that small band has the decree of +God on its side. Who has not admired the band of Leonidas at the pass of +Thermopylæ? Three hundred against three million. Japhet, with the decree +of God on his side, only 300 strong, contending for enlargement with +Shem and his 3,000,000. Consider what has been effected during the last +fifty years. There is no vaunting of scouts now. No Indian gentlemen +making themselves merry about the folly of thinking to convert the +natives of India; magnifying the difficulties of caste; and setting our +ministers into brown studies and speech-making in defense of missions. +No mission has yet been an entire failure. We who see such small +segments of the mighty cycles of God's providence often imagine some to +be failures which God does not. Eden was such a failure, The Old World +was a failure under Noah's preaching. Elijah thought it was all up with +Israel. Isaiah said: "Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the +arm of the Lord revealed?" And Jeremiah wished his head were waters, his +eyes a fountain of tears, to weep over one of God's plans for diffusing +his knowledge among the heathen. If we could see a larger arc of the +great providential cycle, we might sometimes rejoice when we weep; but +God giveth not account of any of his matters. We must just trust to his +wisdom. Let us do our duty. He will work out a glorious consummation. +Fifty years ago missions could not lift up their heads. But missions now +are admitted by all to be one of the great facts of the age, and the +sneers about "Exeter Hall" are seen by every one to embody a _risus +sardonicus_. The present posture of affairs is, that benevolence is +popular. God is working out in the human heart his great idea, and all +nations shall see his glory. + +Let us think highly of the weapons we have received for the +accomplishment of our work. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal +but spiritual, and mighty through God to the casting down of +strongholds. They are--Faith in our Leader, and in the presence of his +Holy Spirit; a full, free, unfettered Gospel; the doctrine of the cross +of Christ,--an old story, but containing the mightiest truths ever +uttered--mighty for pulling down the strongholds of sin, and giving +liberty to the captives. The story of Redemption, of which Paul said, "I +am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ," is old, yet in its vigor, +eternally young. + +This work requires zeal for God and love for souls. It needs prayer from +the senders and the sent, and firm reliance on Him who alone is the +Author of conversion. Souls cannot be converted or manufactured to +order. Great deeds are wrought in unconsciousness, from constraining +love to Christ; in humbly asking, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? in +the simple feeling, we have done that which was our duty to do. They +effect works, the greatness of which it will remain for posterity to +discern. The greatest works of God in the kingdom of grace, like his +majestic movements in nature, are marked by stillness in the doing of +them, and reveal themselves by their effects. They come up like the sun, +and show themselves by their own light. The kingdom of God cometh not +with observation. Luther simply followed the leadings of the Holy Spirit +in the struggles of his own soul. He wrought out what the inward +impulses of his own breast prompted him to work, and behold, before he +was aware, he was in the midst of the Reformation. So, too, it was with +the Plymouth pilgrims, with their sermons three times a day on board the +_Mayflower._ Without thinking of founding an empire, they obeyed the +sublime teachings of the Spirit, the promptings of duty and the +spiritual life. God working mightily in the human heart is the spring of +all abiding spiritual power; and it is only as men follow out the +sublime promptings of the inward spiritual life, that they do great +things for God. + +The movement of not one mind only, but the consentaneous movement of a +multitude of minds in the same direction, constitutes what is called the +spirit of the age. This spirit is neither the law of progress nor blind +development, but God's all-eternal, all-embracing purpose, the doctrine +which recognizes the hand of God in all events, yet leaves all human +action free. When God prepared an age for a new thought, the thought is +thrust into the age as an instrument into a chemical solution--the +crystals cluster round it immediately. If God prepares not, the man has +lived before his time. Huss and Wycliffe were like voices crying in the +wilderness, preparing the way for a brighter future; the time had +not yet come. + +Who would not be a missionary? "They that be wise shall shine as the +brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as +the stars for ever and ever." Is God not preparing the world for +missions which will embrace the whole of Adam's family? The gallant +steamships circumnavigate the globe. Emigration is going on at a rate to +which the most renowned crusades of antiquity bear no proportion. Many +men go to and fro, and knowledge is increased. No great emigration ever +took place in our world without accomplishing one of God's great +designs. The tide of the modern emigration flows toward the West. The +wonderful amalgamation of races will result in something grand. We +believe this, because the world is becoming better, and because God is +working mightily in the human mind. We believe it, because God has been +preparing the world for something glorious. And that something, we +conjecture, will be a fuller development of the missionary idea +and work. + +There will yet be a glorious consummation of Christianity. The last +fifty years have accomplished wonders. On the American Continent, what a +wonderful amalgamation of races we have witnessed, how wonderfully they +have been fused into that one American people--type and earnest of a +larger fusion which Christianity will yet accomplish, when, by its +blessed power, all tribes and tongues and races shall become one holy +family. The present popularity of beneficence promises well for the +missionary cause in the future. Men's hearts are undergoing a process of +enlargement, Their sympathies are taking a wider scope. The world is +getting closer, smaller--quite a compact affair. The world for Christ +will yet be realized. "The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of +the Lord as the waters cover the sea." + + + * * * * * + +No. II. + +TREATMENT OF AFRICAN FEVER. + +In July, 1859, when the Expedition to the Zambesi had been there about a +year. Dr. Livingstone drew up and forwarded to Sir James Clark, Bart., +M.D., a very full report on the treatment of African fever. The report +details at length a large number of cases, the circumstances under which +the attack was experienced, the remedies administered, and their +effects. In order to ward off the disease in the mangrove swamps, which +were justly described as hotbeds of fever, a dose of quinine was +administered daily to each European, amounting to two grains, and taken +in sherry wine. When an attack of the disease occurred, and the stomach +did not refuse the remedies, Dr. Livingstone administered a dose of +calomel with resin of jalap, followed by quinine. These remedies were in +almost all cases successful, and the convalescence of the patient was +wonderfully rapid. The "pills" which Dr. Livingstone often referred to +were composed of resin of jalap, calomel, rhubarb, and quinine. It was +usually observed that active employment kept off fever, and that on high +lands its attacks were much less violent. Where the stomach refused the +remedies a blister was usually the most effectual means of stopping +the sickness. + +Experience did not confirm the prophylactic action of quinine; exemption +from attack in unfavorable situations was rather ascribed to active +exercise, good diet, and to absence of damp, exposure to sun, and +excessive exertion. Even while navigating an unhealthy part of the +Shiré, and while, owing to the state of the vessel, the beds were +constantly damp, good health was enjoyed, owing to the regular exercise +and good fare. + +In the upper regions of the Shiré, Dr. Livingstone says he and his +companions were exposed in the early hours of the morning to the dew +from the long grass, marching during the day over rough country under +the tropical sun, and then sleeping in the open air; but though they had +discontinued the daily use of quinine they Were perfectly well, as were +also their native attendants. This was one of the considerations that +gave him such confidence in the healthiness of the Shiré highlands. + +Two or three years later, in writing to a friend, Dr. Livingstone +thanked him for having sent him a missionary journal, which he greatly +enjoyed--_The News of the Churches and Journal of Missions_. To show the +very unusual pleasure which this Journal gave him, he proposed to send a +communication to the editor, but said he was somewhat afraid to do so, +lest it should meet the fate of many a paper forwarded to editors at an +earlier period of his life. Mustering courage, he did send a letter, and +we find it in the number of the journal for August, 1862. It is +entitled, "A Note that may be useful to Missionaries in Africa," and +consists of a statement of the remedy for fever, and an account of its +operation. He had been led to think of this from seeing in the _News of +the Churches_ for February, 1861, a reference to his remedy in an +account of the death of the Helmores. The proportions of the several +ingredients are given--"for a full-grown man six or eight grains of +resin of jalap, and the same amount of rhubarb, with four grains of +calomel, and four of quinine, made into pills with spirit of cardamoms. +On taking effect, quinine (not the unbleached kind), in four grains or +larger doses is given every two hours or so, till the ears ring, or +deafness ensues; this last is an essential part of the cure." + +The last part of the letter is a description of Lake Nyassa, and a +statement of its importance for purposes of civilization and +Christianity. + +The _News of the Churches_ was projected in 1854 by the late Rev. Andrew +Cameron, D.D., and the present writer, and conducted by them for a time; +in 1862 it was in the hands of the Rev. Gavin Carlyle, now of Ealing. + + * * * * * + +No. III. + +LETTER TO DR. TIDMAN, AS TO FUTURE OPERATIONS. + +QUILIMANE, 23_d May_, 1856. + +THE REV. DR. TIDMAN. + +DEAR SIR,--Having by the good providence of our Heavenly Father reached +this village on the 20th curt., I was pleased to find a silence of more +than four years broken by your letter of the 24th August, 1855. I found, +also, that H.M.'s brigatine "Dart" had called at this port several times +in order to offer me a passage homeward, but on the last occason in +which this most friendly act was performed, her commander, with an +officer of marines and five seamen, were unfortunately lost on the very +dangerous bar at the mouth of the Quilimane River. This sad event threw +a cold shade over all the joy I might otherwise have experienced on +reaching the Eastern Coast. I felt as if it would have been easier for +me to have died for them than to bear the thought of so many being cut +off from all the joys of life in generously attempting to render me a +service. As there is no regular means of proceeding from this to the +Cape, I remain here in the hope of meeting another cruiser, which the +kindness of Commodore Trotter has led me to expect, in preference to +going by a small Arab or Portuguese trading vessel to some point on the +"overland route to India." And though I may possibly reach you as soon +as a letter, it appears advisable to state in writing my thoughts +respecting one or two very important points in your communication. + +Accompanied by many kind expressions of approbation, which I highly +value on account of having emanated from a body of men whose sole object +in undertaking the responsibility and labor of the Direction must have +been a sincere desire to promote the interests of the kingdom of our +Lord among the heathen, I find the intimation that the Directors are +restricted in their power of aiding plans connected only remotely with +the spread of the gospel. And it is added, also, that even though +certain very formidable obstacles should prove surmountable, the +"financial circumstances of the Society are not such as to afford any +ground of hope that it would be, within any definite period, in a +position to enter upon untried, remote, and difficult fields of labor." + +If I am not mistaken, these statements imply a resolution on the part of +the gentlemen now in the Direction, to devote the decreasing income of +the Society committed to their charge to parts of the world of easy +access, and in which the missionaries may devote their entire time and +energies to the dissemination of the truths of the gospel with +reasonable hopes of speedy success. This, there can be no doubt, evinces +a sincere desire to perform their duty faithfully to their constituents, +to the heathen, and to our Lord and Master, yet while still retaining +that full conviction of the purity of their motives, which no measure +adopted during the sixteen years of my connection with the Society has +for a moment disturbed, I feel constrained to view "the untried, remote, +and difficult fields," to which I humbly yet firmly believe God has +directed my steps, with a resolution widely different from that which +their words imply. As our aims and purposes will now appear in some +degree divergent--on their part from a sort of paralysis caused by +financial decay, and on mine from the simple continuance of an old +determination to devote my life and my all to the service of Christ, in +whatever way He may lead me in inter-tropical Africa--it seems natural, +while yet without the remotest idea of support from another source, to +give some of the reasons for differing with those with whom I have +hitherto been so happily connected. + +It remains vividly on my memory that some twenty years ago, while musing +how I might spend my life so as best to promote the glory of the Lord +Jesus, I came to the conclusion that from the cumulative nature of +gospel influence the outskirts even of the Empire of China presented the +most inviting field for evangelical effort in the world. I was also much +averse to being connected with any Society, having a strong desire to +serve Christ in circumstances which would free my services from all +professional aspect. But the solicitations of friends in whose judgment +I had confidence led to my offers of service to the London Missionary +Society. The "Opium War" was then adduced as a reason why that remote, +difficult, and untried field of labor should stand in abeyance before +the interior of Africa, to which, in opposition to my own judgment, I +was advised to proceed. I did not, however, go with any sort of +reluctance, for I had great respect for the honored men by whom the +advice was given, and unbounded confidence in the special providence of +Him who has said, "Commit thy way unto the Lord, etc. In all thy ways +acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy steps." I was contented with +the way in which I had been led, and happy in the prospect of being made +instrumental in winning some souls to Christ. + +The Directors wished me to endeavor to carry the gospel to the tribes +north of the Kuruman. Having remained at that station sufficient time +only to recruit my oxen, I proceeded in the direction indicated, and +while learning the language I visited the Bakhatla, Bakwains, +Bangwaketse, and Bamangwato tribes, in order to select a suitable +locality for a mission, in the hope of succeeding in making a second +Kuruman or central station, which would, by God's blessing, influence a +large circumference. I chose Mabotsa, no one who has seen that country +since has said the choice was injudicious. The late Rev. Dr. Philip +alone was opposed to this plan on account of solicitude for my safety, +"because Mosilikatse was behind the Cashan mountains thirsting for the +blood of the first white man who should fall into his hands. And no man +would in his sober senses build his house on the crater of a volcano." +Having removed to the Bakwains of Sechéle, I spent some of the happiest +years of my life in missionary labor, and was favored in witnessing a +gratifying measure of success in the spread of the knowledge of the +gospel. The good seed was widely sown, and is not lost. It will yet bear +fruit, though I may not live to see it. In the pursuit of my plan I +tried to plant among the tribes around by means of native teachers and +itineracies. We have heard again and again of a "preparatory work going +on" in India, but who ever heard of such in Africa? A village of 600 or +800 may have one, or even two missionaries, with school-masters and +schoolmistresses, and the nearest population, fifty or one hundred miles +off, cannot feel their influence. Believers will not, in many cases, go +beyond the circle of their own friends and acquaintances. + +I was happy in having two worthy men of color, to aid me in diffusing a +knowledge of Christ among the Eastern tribes, but the Boers forbade us +to preach unto the Gentiles that they might be saved. My attention was +turned to Sebituane by Sechéle at the very time this happened, but I had +no intention of leaving the Bakwains. Droughts succeeded, and these, +with perpetual threats and annoyances from the Boers, so completely +distracted the mind of the tribe that our operations were almost +suspended. It is well known that food for the mind has but little savor +for starving stomachs. The famine, and the unmistakable determination of +the Boers to enslave my people, at last made me look to the north +seriously. There was no precipitancy. Letters went to and from India +respecting my project before resolving to leave, and I went at last, +after being obliged to send my family to Kuruman in order to be out of +the way of a threatened attack of the Boers. When we reached Lake +'Ngami, about which so much has been said, I immediately asked for +guides to take me to Sebituane, because to form a settlement in which +the gospel might be planted was the great object for which I had come. +Guides were refused, and the Bayeiye were prevented from ferrying me +across the Zouga. I made a raft, but after working in the water for +hours it would not carry me. (I have always been thankful, since I knew +how alligators abound there, that I was not then killed by one.) Next +year affairs were not improved at Kolobeng, and while attempting the +north again fever drove us back. In both that and the following year I +took my family with me in order to obviate the loss of time which +returning for them would occasion. The Boers subsequently, by relieving +me of all my goods, freed me from the labor of returning to Kolobeng +at all. + +Of the circumstances attending our arrival at Sebituane's, and the +project of opening up a path to the coast, you are already so fully +aware, from having examined and awarded your approbation, I need +scarcely allude to it. Double the time has been expended to that which I +anticipated, but as it chiefly arose from sickness, the loss of time was +unavoidable. The same cause produced interruptions in preaching the +gospel--as would have been the case had I been indisposed anywhere else. + +The foregoing short notices of all the plans which I can bring to my +recollection since my arrival in Africa lead me to the question, which +of the plans it is that the Directors particularize when they say they +are restricted in their power of aiding plans only remotely connected +with the spread of the gospel. It cannot be the last surely, for I had +their express approval before leaving Cape Town, and they yield to none +in admiration of the zeal with which it has been executed. Then which +is it? + +As it cannot be meant to apply in the way of want of funds deciding the +suspension of operations which would make the connection remote enough +with the spread of the gospel by us, I am at a loss to understand the +phraseology, and therefore trust that the difficulty may be explained. +The difficulties are mentioned in no captious spirit, though, from being +at a loss as to the precise meaning of the terms, I may appear to be +querulous. I am not conscious of any diminution of the respect and +affection with which I have always addressed you. I am, yours +affectionately, DAVID LIVINGSTON. + + +No. IV. + +LORD CLARENDON'S LETTER TO SEKELETU. + + _From_ THE EARL OF CLARENDON, _Principal Secretary of State + for Foreign Affairs of Her Majesty, the Queen of Great + Britain, to our esteemed Friend_ SEKELETU, _Chief of the + +The Queen our Sovereign and the British Government have learned with +much pleasure from her Majesty's servant, Dr. Livingstone, the kind +manner in which you co-operated with him in his endeavors to find a +path from your country to the sea on the West Coast, and again, when he +was following the course of the river Zambesi from your town to the +Eastern Coast, by furnishing him on each occasion with canoes, +provisions, oxen, and men, free of expense; and we were pleased to hear +that you, your elders and people, are all anxious to have direct +intercourse with the English nation, and to have your country open to +commerce and civilization. + +Ours is a great commercial and Christian nation, and we desire to live +in peace with all men. We wish others to sleep soundly as well as +ourselves; and we hate the trade in slaves. We are all the children of +one common Father; and the slave-trade being hateful to Him, we give +you a proof of our desire to promote your prosperity by joining you in +the attempt to open up your country to peaceful commerce. With this +view the Queen sends a small steam-vessel to sail along the river +Zambesi, which you know and agreed to be the best pathway for conveying +merchandise, and for the purpose of exploring which Dr. Livingstone +left you the last time. This is, as all men know, "God's pathway;" and +you will, we trust, do all that you can to keep it a free pathway for +all nations, and let no one be molested when traveling on the river. + +We are a manufacturing people, and make all the articles which you see +and hear of as coming from the white men. We purchase cotton and make +it into cloth; and if you will cultivate cotton and other articles, we +are willing to buy them. No matter how much you may produce, our people +will purchase it all. Let it be known among all your people, and among +all the surrounding ¸tribes, that the English are the friends and +promoters of all lawful commerce, but that they are the enemies of the +slave-trade and slave-hunting. + +We assure you, your elders and people, of our friendship, and we hope +that the kindly feelings which you entertain toward the English may be +continued between our children's children; and, as we have derived all +our greatness from the Divine religion we received from Heaven, it will +be well if you consider it carefully when any of our people talk to +you about it. + +We hope that Her Majesty's servants and people will be able to visit +you from time to time in order to cement our friendship, and to promote +mutual welfare; and, in the meantime, we recommend you to the +protection of the Almighty. + +Written at London, the nineteenth day of February, 1858. Your +affectionate friend, CLARENDON. + + * * * * * + +Letters similar to the above were sent to many of the other chiefs +known to Livingstone. + + * * * * * + +No. V. + +PUBLIC HONORS AWARDED TO DR. LIVINGSTONE. + +A complete list of these honors is not easy to construct; the following +may be regarded as embracing the chief, but it does not embrace mere +addresses presented to him, of which there were many: + +1850. Royal Geographical Society of London award him the Royal Donation +of 25 guineas, placed by her Majesty at the disposal of the Council +(Silver Chronometer). + +1854. French Geographical Society award a Silver Medal. + +1854. University of Glasgow confer degree of LL.D. + +1855. Royal Geographical Society of London award Patron's Gold Medal. + +1857. French Geographical Society award annual prize for the most +important geographical discovery. + +1857. Freedom of city of London, in box of value of fifty guineas, As a +testimonial in recognition of his zealous and ¸persevering exertions in +the important discoveries he has made in Africa, by which geographical, +geological, and their kindred sciences have been advanced; facts +ascertained that may extend the trade and commerce of this country, and +hereafter secure to the native tribes of the vast African continent the +blessings of knowledge and civilization. + +1857. Freedom of city of Glasgow, presented in testimony of admiration +of his undaunted intrepidity and fortitude: amid difficulties, +privations, and dangers, during a period of many years, while +traversing an extensive region in the interior of Africa, hitherto +unexplored by Europeans, and of appreciation of the importance of his +services, extending to the fostering of commerce, the advancement of +civilization, and the diffusion of Christianity among heathen nations. + +1857. Freedom of city of Edinburgh, of Dundee, and many other towns. + +1857. Corresponding Member of American Geographical and Statistical +Society, New York. + +1857. Corresponding Member of Royal Geographical Society of London. + +1857. Corresponding Member of Geographical Society of Paris. + +1857. Corresponding Member of the K.K. Geographical Society of Vienna. + +1857. The Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow "elect that +worthy, eminent, and learned Surgeon and Naturalist, David Livingstone, +LL.D., to be an Honorary Fellow," + +1857. Medal awarded by the Universal Society for the Encouragement of +Arts and Industry. + +1857. University of Oxford confer degree of D.C.L. + +1857. Elected F.R.S. + +1858. Appointed Commander of Zambesi Expedition and her Majesty's +Consul at Tette, Quilimane, and Senna. + +1872. Gold Medal awarded by Italian Geographical Society. + +1874. A memoir of Livingstone having been read by the Secretary at a +meeting of the Russian Geographical Society cordially recognizing his +merit, the whole assembly--a very large one--by rising, paid a last +tribute of respect to his memory.--_Lancet_, 7th March, 1874. + +Any omissions in this list notified to the author will be supplied in +future editions. + +Printed in the United States of America + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Personal Life Of David Livingstone +by William Garden Blaikie + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIVINGSTONE *** + +***** This file should be named 13262-8.txt or 13262-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/2/6/13262/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Kirschner and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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