530 iktnas of tbe 1Rot>, IRtfle, anb (Bun 



of Captain Cameron and the other British captives at 

 Magdala. It was a Quixotic idea, and the Government, 

 unable to see that it could have any result but the addi- 

 tion of another prisoner to those already in Theodore's 

 hands, declined the offer. Leveson, however, as usual, 

 managed to have a hand in the fighting, and accompanied 

 Sir Robert Napier's expedition to Magdala, though in 

 what capacity I have nowhere seen specified. 



A year later, when the country was agitated with 

 anxiety for the fate of David Livingstone, Major 

 Leveson, though weakened by wounds and hardships 

 and disease, wrote to Earl Granville and offered to go 

 out and find the missing traveller. Lord Granville 

 referred him, with a strong letter of recommendation, 

 to the Royal Geographical Society ; but that sober 

 body were not impressed with Leveson's fitness for 

 the task, and declined to sanction the proposed 

 expedition. 



This was "the Old Shekarry's " last attempt to, 

 render public service. Yet, despite his rebuffs, he 

 would, I have no doubt, have been as ready as ever to 

 lead any forlorn hope had a chance presented itself. For 

 he had the spirit of a Paladin, and would have been 

 a worthy member of Arthur's " Table Round " in 

 days when 



Every morning brought a noble chance, 



And every chance brought out a noble knight. 



His health, too, began to fail. The iron frame which 

 had endured so many hardships was worn out by 

 toil and suffering ; the nerves of steel which had faced 



