COOKS AND LAUNDRY-MAIDS. 133 



glassy eyes may be seen shining in the firelight, or his deep 

 growl provokes an oath from his almost as savage neighbor 

 under the shed. When the clear, full moon looked down, the 

 fires were allowed to burn low, and leave to its lonely guard a 

 scene picturesque as could be, for the angels to look on, and 

 God's benediction. 



Among his followers Livingstone selected some who were 

 instructed in a few of the simpler mysteries of the white man's 

 culinary system. Others he taught the process of restoring his 

 travel-stained linen to its virgin purity. The ready willing- 

 ness of these faithful men to do him service helped them greatly, 

 and soon they did their new duty with a skill which might 

 have provoked the envy of cooks and laundry-maids " to the 

 manner born." The experience of Dr. Livingstone sustained 

 his refined instincts and early lessons of neatness, in teaching 

 him to hold fast the distinctions of civilization in all the habits 

 of life as far as could be, even in the heart of the most ignorant 

 and degraded continent. The barbarous people will hardly 

 struggle toward a higher life whose customs are readily aban- 

 doned, like the hues of the chameleon, for the demands of a new 

 locality. The aifairs of every-day life, like eating and dressing, 

 are the most striking features of civilization in the eyes of the 

 uncivilized, and about these their wonder and respect begin ; to 

 change or abandon these is to break the young tendrils of their 

 confidence or admiration, and cancel all claims on their disciple- 

 ship. 



It is worth while for all who think of venturing on a life- 

 work in savage lands to remember that such a man as David 

 Livingstone records his testimony, that "it is questionable 

 whether a descent to barbarous ways ever elevates a man in the 

 eyes of a savage. And is there a question whether Christianity 

 is more a loser than gainer by the coming down of Christians to 

 join in the doubtful avocations and delights of a worldly 

 society ? " 



The almost singular humanity of Dr. Livingstone, which 

 shines out so beautifully in all his career, comes strikingly into 

 notice in his own journal of events occurring a short distance 

 above Libonta. They had halted and sent some messengers off 

 to the west, charged with the duty of returning some of the 



