1872.] SOLEMN REFLECTIONS. 179 



shows that had I gone with these people to Loinanie, I could 

 not have escaped the Bakuss spears, for I could not have run 

 like the routed fugitives. I was prevented from going in 

 order to save me from death. Many escapes from danger I 

 am aware of : some make me shudder, as I think how near 

 to death's door I came. But how many more instances 

 of Providential protecting there may be of which I know 

 nothing ! But I thank most sincerely the good Lord of all 

 for His goodness to me. 



18th April. — I pray the good Lord of all to favour me 

 so as to allow me to discover the ancient fountains of 

 Herodotus, and if there is anything in the underground 

 excavations to confirm the precious old documents (ra 

 (3i/3\ia), the Scriptures of truth, may He permit me to 

 bring it to light, and give me wisdom to make a proper 

 use of it. 



Some seem to feel that their own importance in the 

 community is enhanced by an imaginary connection with a 

 discovery or discoverer of the Nile sources, and are only too 

 happy to figure, if only in a minor part, as theoretical dis- 

 coverers — a theoretical discovery being a contradiction in 

 terms. 



The cross has been used — not as a Christian emblem 

 certainly, but from time immemorial as the form in which 

 the copper ingot of Katanga is moulded — this is met with 

 quite commonly, and is called Handiple Mahandi. Our 

 capital letter I (called Vigera) is the large form of the bars 

 of copper, each about 60 or 70 lbs. weight, seen all over 

 Central Africa and from Katafiga. 



19th April — A roll of letters and newspapers, apparently, 

 came to-day for Mr. Stanley. The messenger says he 

 passed Mr. Stanley on the way, who said, "Take this to 

 the Doctor;" this is erroneous. The Prince of Wales is 

 reported to be dying of typhoid fever : the Princess Louise 

 has hastened to his bedside. 



n 2 



