1 9 2 DAVID LIVINGSTONE. [chap. ix. 



want of superintendents. Dr. Livingstone named a 

 Portuguese engineer who would superintend admirably. 

 The fruits of the Portuguese missions were still apparent, 

 but there was a great want of literature, of books. 



" It will not be denied," concludes the letter, " that those who, like 

 your Majesty, have been placed over so many human souls, have a 

 serious responsibility resting upon them in reference to their future 

 welfare. The absence also of Portuguese women in the colony is a 

 circumstance which seems to merit the attention of Government for 

 obvious reasons. And if any of these suggestions should lead to the 

 formation of a middle class of free labourers, I feel sure that Angola 

 would have cause to bless your Majesty to the remotest time." 



Dr. Livingstone has often been accused of claiming for 

 himself the credit of discoveries made by others, of writing 

 as if he had been the first to traverse routes in which he 

 had really been preceded by the Portuguese. Even were 

 it true that now and then an obscure Portuguese trader 

 or traveller reached spots that lay in Dr. Livingstone's 

 subsequent route, the fact would detract nothing from 

 his merit, because he derived not a tittle of benefit from 

 their experience, and what he was concerned about was, 

 not the mere honour of being first at a place, as if he had 

 been running a race, but to make it known to the world, 

 to bring it into the circuit of commerce and Christianity, 

 and thus place it under the influence of the greatest 

 blessings. But even as to being first, Livingstone was 

 careful not to claim anything that was really due to 

 others. Writing from Tette to Sir Roderick in March 1856, 

 he says : "It seems proper to mention what has been 

 done in former times in the way of traversing the conti- 

 nent, and the result of my inquiries leads to the belief 

 that the honour belongs to our country." He refers to 

 the brave attempt of Captain Jose da Poga, in 1678, to 

 penetrate from Benguela to the Pio da Senna, in which 

 attempt, however, so much opposition was encountered 

 that he was compelled to return. In 1800, Lacerda 

 revived the project by proposing a chain of forts along the 



