The Life Dream of Livingstone 



It is utterly impossible even for us black men, 

 except in certain seasons, when more than the 

 usual supply of rain falls, and an extraordinary 

 growth of water-melons follows." 



We have no space to speak of Livingstone's 

 explorations in the " Great Thirst Land " ; but 

 the following note written so long ago must be 

 of interest to us : — 



" The whole of the country adjacent to the 

 desert, from Kuruman to Kolobeng, Litubaruba 

 and beyond, up to the latitude of Lake Xgami, 

 is remarkable for the salubrity of its climate. 

 Europeans whose constitutions have been im- 

 paired by an Indian residence, feel its restorative 

 powers. Mr Oswell thought the climate much 

 superior to that of Peru, and were it not for the 

 great expense of such a trip, I should have no 

 hesitation in recommending the borders of the 

 Kalahari Desert as admirably suited for pulmon- 

 ary complaints. It is the complete antipodes 

 of our raw English atmosphere. The winter, 

 which begins in May and ends in August, is 

 perfectly dry. Not a drop of rain falls during 

 that period, and damp and cold are never com- 

 bined. During many months there is scarcely 

 any dew. However hot the day might have 



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