390 DAVID LIVINGSTONE. [chap. xix. 



country, and then his detention through the strifes of 

 the Arabs and the natives. The letter, however, is more 

 occupied with reviewing the past than narrating the 

 present. In writing to Dr. Moffat, he enters more 

 minutely than he would have done with a less intimate 

 and sympathetic friend into the difficulties of his lot — 

 difficulties that had been increased by some from whom 

 he might have expected other things. He had once seen 

 a map, displayed in the rooms of the Geographical Society, 

 substantially his own, but with another name in con- 

 spicuous letters. On the Zambesi he had had difficulties, 

 little suspected, of which in the meantime he would say 

 nothing to the public. A letter to his daughter Agnes, 

 after he had gone to Bangweolo, dwells also much on his 

 past difficulties — as if he felt that the slow progress he 

 was making at the moment needed explanation or apology. 

 Amid such topics, almost involuntary touches of the old 

 humour occur : — " I broke my teeth tearing at maize and 

 other hard food, and they are coming out. One front tooth 

 is out, and I have such an awful mouth. If you expect a 

 kiss from me, you must take it through a speaking-trum- 

 pet." In one respect, amid all his trials, his heart seems 

 to become more tender than ever — in affection for his chil- 

 dren, and wise and considerate advice for their guidance. 

 In his letter to Agnes, he adverts with some regret to 

 a chance he lost of saying a word for his family when 

 Lord Palmerston sent Mr. Hay ward, Q.C., to ask him 

 what he could do to serve him. " It never occurred to 

 me that he meant anything for me or my children till I 

 was out here. I thought only of my work in Africa, 

 and answered accordingly." It was only the fear that 

 his family would be in want that occasioned this mo- 

 mentary regret at his disinterested answer to Lord 

 Palmerston. 



