244 DA VID LIVINGSTONE. [chap. xii. 



atmosphere in causing intense irritability of temper. In 

 some respects, though, not the most obvious, this was the 

 most trying period of his life. His letters and other 

 written papers show one little but not uninstructive 

 effect of the pressure and distraction that now came on 

 him — in the great change which his handwriting under- 

 went—the neat, regular writing of his youth giving place 

 to a large and heavyish hand, as if he had never had 

 time to mend his pen, and his only thought had been 

 how to get on most quickly. Yet we see also, very 

 clearly, how nobly he strove after self-control and con- 

 ciliatory ways. The tone of courtesy, the recognition of 

 each man's independence in his own sphere, and the 

 appeal to his good sense and good feeling, apparent in 

 the instructions, show a studious desire, while he took 

 and intended to keep his place as Commander, to conceal 

 the symbols of authority, and bind the members of the 

 party together as a band of brothers. And though in 

 his published book, The Zambesi and its Tributaries, 

 which was mainly a report of his doings to the Govern- 

 ment and the nation, he confined himself to the matters 

 with which he had been intrusted by them, there are 

 many little proofs of his seeking wisdom and strength 

 from above with undiminished earnestness, and of 

 his striving, as much as ever, to do all to the glory 

 of God. 



As the swift motion of the ship bears him farther and 

 farther from home, he cannot but think of his orphan 

 children. As they near Sierra Leone, on the 25th March, 

 he sends a few lines to his eldest son : — 



"My dear Robert, — "We have been going at the rate of 200 

 miles a day ever since we left Liverpool, and have been much favoured 

 by a kind Providence in the weather. Poor Oswell was sorely sick 

 while rolling through the Bay of Biscay, and ate nothing for about 

 three days ; but we soon got away from the ice and snow to beautiful 

 summer weather, and we are getting nicely thawed. We sleep with 

 all our port-holes open, and are glad of the awning by day. At night 



