1858-59.] FIRST EXPLORATIONS OF THE SHIRE. 263 



Livingstone's forefathers and connections were some very 

 noble specimens of the honest poor. It touched him to 

 think that, with all their worth, their life had been one 

 protracted struggle. His sympathies were cordially with 

 the class. He desired with all his heart to see them with 

 a little less of the burden and more of the comfort of 

 life. And he believed very thoroughly that, as Christian 

 settlers in a heathen country, they might do more to 

 promote Christianity among the natives than solitary 

 missionaries could accomplish. 



His parents and sisters were not forgotten. His letters 

 to home are again somewhat in the apologetic vein. He 

 feels that some explanation must be given of his own 

 work, and some vindication of his coadjutors : — 



" We are working hard," he writes to his mother, "at what some 

 can see at a glance the importance of, while to others we appear 

 following after the glory of discovering lakes, mountains, jenny-nettles, 

 and puddock-stools. In reference to these people I always remember 

 a story told me by the late Dr. Philip with great glee. When a young 

 minister in Aberdeen, he visited an old woman in affliction, and began 

 to talk very fair to her on the duty of resignation, trusting, hoping, 

 and all the rest of it, when the old woman looked up into his face, and 

 said, ' Peer thing, ye ken naething aboot it.' This is what I say to 

 those who set themselves up to judge another man's servant. We hope 

 our good Master may permit us to do some good to our fellow-men." 



His correspondence with Sir Roderick Murchison is 

 likewise full of the idea of the colony. He is thoroughly 

 persuaded that no good will ever be done by the Portu- 

 guese. They are a worn-out people — utterly worn out 

 by disease — their stamina consumed. Fresh European 

 blood must be poured into Africa. In consequence of 

 recent discoveries, he now sees his way open, and all his 

 hopes of benefit to England and Africa about to be realised. 

 This must have been one of Livingstone's happiest times. 

 Visions of Christian colonies, of the spread of arts and 

 civilisation, of the progress of Christianity and the 

 Christian graces, of the cultivation of cotton and the 



