782 IDENTIFICATION OF THE BODY. 



den out of the wilderness. The coffin was next transferred to 

 the deck of the "Queen," in the presence of a solemn and 

 respectful company, standing with uncovered heads; while a 

 lady came forward and placed on the lid a beautiful wreath of 

 flowers. From the Royal Wharf at Southampton the loving 

 friends attended their charge to London, where it was received 

 with sad reverence and placed in state in the hall of the Geo- 

 graphical Society. The identification of the body was unques- 

 tionable. We remember the mark which God had caused to be 

 placed on the man so many years before in South Africa, before 

 he sent him forth on his toilsome and perilous mission ; by that 

 one mark, more than all else, absolute certainty could be had. 

 It was important that there should be no doubt in the matter, 

 and a formal examination of the body was ordered. This 

 examination was conducted by Sir William Fergusson and the 

 friends of Livingstone; and we are allowed to introduce the 

 letter in which Sir William gives his account of it. He says : 



"Within the last few months many have hesitated to believe 

 that Livingstone was dead. Above all it seemed beyond ordinary 

 probability that his remains would have been brought from cen- 

 tral Africa to the heart of London. That a body was on its 

 way from this all but mythical region could hardly be doubted 

 after the examination at Zanzibar of the remains, but many 

 were sceptical as to this dead frame being that of Livingstone. 

 Happily it was borne in mind by many old friends that he had 

 one condition of body which would mark the identification of 

 his remains even if years and years had elapsed. If it should 

 be proved on anatomical examination thej*emains of an old un- 

 united fracture in his left humerus (arm bone) could be recog- 

 nized, all doubt on the subject would be settled at once and for- 

 ever. It has fallen to my lot to have the honor of being 

 selected to make the crucial examination to this end, and I have 

 accordingly performed that duty. From what I have seen I 

 am much impressed with the ingenious manner in which those 

 who have contrived to secure that the body should be carried 

 through the long distance from where Livingstone died until it 

 could reach a place where transit was comparatively easy accom- 

 plished their task. The lower limbs were so severed from the 

 trunk that the length of the bulk of package was -reduced to a 



