462 DAVID LIVINGSTONE. [chap. 



despatches he wrote and the measures he devised with 

 regard to the slave-trade. The merchant felt it, and 

 began to plan in earnest how to traverse the continent 

 with roads and railways, and open it to commerce from 

 shore to centre. The explorer felt it, and started with 

 high purpose on new scenes of unknown danger. The 

 missionary felt it, — felt it a reproof of past languor and 

 unbelief, and found himself lifted up to a higher level of 

 faith and devotion. No parliament of philanthropy was 

 held ; but the verdict was as unanimous and as hearty 

 as if the Christian world had met and passed the resolu- 

 tion — " Livingstone's work shall not die : — Africa shall 



LIVE." 



A rapid glance at the progress of events during the 

 seven years that have elapsed since the death of Living- 

 stone will show best what influence he wielded after 

 his death. Whether we consider the steps that have 

 been taken to suppress the slave-trade, the progress of 

 commercial undertakings, the successful journeys of ex- 

 plorers stimulated by his example who have gone from 

 shore to shore, or the new enterprises of the various 

 missionary bodies, carried out by agents with somewhat 

 of Livingstone's spirit, we shall see what a wonderful 

 revolution he effected, — how entirely he changed the 

 prospects of Africa. 



Livingstone himself had the impression that his long 

 and weary detention in Manyuema was designed by 

 Providence to enable him to know and proclaim to the 

 world the awful horrors of the slave-trade. When his 

 despatches and letters from that region were published 

 in this country, the matter was taken up in the highest 

 quarters. After the Queen's Speech had drawn the 

 attention of Parliament to it, a Poyal Commission, and 

 then a Select Committee of the House of Commons, pre- 

 pared the way for farther action. Sir Bartle Frere was 

 sent to Zanzibar, with the view of negotiating a treaty 



