190 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNALS. [Chap. YIL 



have seen one sold, an extremely rare and exceptional case ; 

 but the inferences drawn are just like that of the French- 

 man who thought the English so partial to suicide in 

 November, that they might be seen suspended from trees 

 in the common highways. 



In crossing Tanganyika three several times I was detained 

 at the islet Kasenge about ten weeks in all. On each occa- 

 sion Arab traders were present, all eager to buy slaves, but 

 none were offered, and they assured me that they had never 

 seen the habit alleged to exist by Speke, though they had 

 heard of the "unlucky" cases referred to. Everyone has 

 known of poor little foundlings in England, but our mothers 

 are not credited with less affection than she-bears. 



I would say to missionaries, Come on, brethren, to the real 

 heathen. You have no idea how brave you are till you try. 

 Leaving the coast tribes, and devoting yourselves heartily 

 to the savages, as they are called, you will find, with some 

 drawbacks and wickednesses, a very great deal to admire 

 and love. Many statements made about them require 

 confirmation. You will never see women selling their 

 infants : the Arabs never did, nor have I. An assertion of 

 the kind was made by mistake. 



Captive children are often sold, but not by their mothers. 

 Famine sometimes reduces fathers to part with them, but 

 the selling of children, as a general practice, is quite un- 

 known, and, as Speke put it, quite a mistake. 



25th and 26th May. — Cold weather. Lewale sends for all 

 Arabs to make a grand assault, as it is now believed that 

 Mirambo is dead, and only his son, with few people, remains. 



Two Whydah birds, after their nest was destroyed several 

 times, now try again in another pomegranate-tree in the 

 yard. They put back their eggs, as they have the power 

 to do, and build again. 



The trout has the power of keeping back the ova when 

 circumstances are unfavourable to their deposit. She can 



