l8 53-54] FROM LINYANTI TO LOANDA. 163 



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 afterwards 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. In- 

 genuous and trustful, he could at first think nothing but 

 good of those who had shown him such marked attention. 

 Afterwards, 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 afterwards, 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 disappoint- 

 ment 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 fre- 

 quent trial, especially to one who wrote so many, and 



