Protection of Birds. 873 



And here I must mention how much I was pleased 

 to hear that Mr. Herbert, M.P., has brought in a 

 bill to protect land birds, which has been passed in 

 Parliament ; but I am grieved to find that " The 

 lark which at Heaven's gate sings " is thought un- 

 worthy of man's protection. Among the numerous 

 plans for the education of the young, let us hope 

 that mercy may be taught as a part of religion. 



***** 

 Though far advanced in years, I take as lively an 

 interest as ever in passing events. I regret that I 

 shall not live to know the result of the expedition to 

 determine the currents of the ocean, the distance of 

 the earth from the sun determined by the transits of 

 Venus, and the source of the most renowned of 

 rivers, the discovery of which will immortalise the 

 name of Dr. Livingstone. But I regret most of all 

 that I shall not see the suppression of the most 

 atrocious system of slavery that ever disgraced 

 humanity that made known to the world by Dr. 

 Livingstone and by Mr. Stanley, and which Sir 

 Bartle Frere has gone to suppress by order of the 

 British Government. 



* * * * 



The Blue Peter has been long flying at my fore- 

 mast, and now that I am in my ninety-second year 

 1 must soon expect the signal for sailing. It is a 



