INTRODUCTION. 11 



and insects ; besides making meteorological observations, 

 and affording, as our instructions required, medical assist- 

 ance to the natives in every case where he could be of 

 any use. 



Charles Livingstone was also fully occupied in his duties 

 in following out the general objects of our mission, in en- 

 couraging the culture of cotton, in making many magnetic 

 and meteorological observations, in photographing so long as 

 the materials would serve, and in collecting a large number of 

 birds, insects, and other objects of interest. The collections, 

 being Government property, have been forwarded to the 

 British Museum, and to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew ; 

 and, should Dr. Kirk undertake their description, three or 

 four years will be required for the purpose. 



Though collections were made, it was always distinctly 

 understood that, however desirable these and our explora- 

 tions might be, " Her Majesty's Government attached more 

 importance to the moral influence that might be exerted on the 

 minds of the natives by a well regulated and orderly household 

 of Europeans setting an example of consistent moral conduct 

 to all who might witness it ; treating the people with kindness, 

 and relieving their wants, teaching them to make experi- 

 ments in agriculture, explaining to them the more simple 

 arts, imparting to them religious instruction as far as they 

 are capable of receiving it, and inculcating peace and good 

 will to each other." 



It would be tiresome to enumerate in detail all the little 

 acts which were performed by us while following out our in- 

 structions. As a rule, whenever the steamer stopped to take 

 in wood, or for any other purpose, Dr. Kirk and Charles 

 Livingstone went ashore to their duties: one of our party, 

 who it was intended should navigate the vessel and lay 



