1 64 DAVID LIVINGSTONE. [chap. vm. 



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 amove, into the highest objects of his mission. 

 Afterwards, 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 lie 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 inter- 

 course 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 

 Br. Livingstones exertions. It is indeed fortunate for that sacred cause, 

 and highly honourable 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-mmded 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 honourable 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 



