FAREWELL BANQUET. xxv 



" When I was in Africa I could not but look forward with 

 joyous anticipation to my arrival in my native land ; but 

 when I remember how I have been received, and when I 

 reflect that I am now again returning to the scene of my 

 former labours, I am at a loss how to express in words the 

 feelings of my heart. In former times, while I was perform- 

 ing what I considered to be my duty in Africa, I felt 

 great pleasure in the work ; and now, when I perceive that 

 all eyes are directed to my future conduct, I feel as if I were 

 laid under a load of obligation to do better than I have 

 ever done as yet. I expect to find for myself no large 

 fortune in that country, nor do I expect to explore any large 

 portions of a new country, but I do hope to find through 

 that part of the country which I have already explored, a 

 pathway by means of the river Zambesi which may lead to 

 highlands where Europeans may form a settlement, and where 

 by opening up communication and establishing commercial 

 intercourse with the natives of Africa, they may slowly, but 

 not the less surely, impart to the people of that country the 

 knowledge and the inestimable blessings of Christianity. 



I am glad to have connected with me in this expedition my 

 gallant friend Captain Bedingfield, who knows not only what 

 African rivers are, but also what are African fevers. With 

 his aid I may be able to discover the principles of the river 

 system of that great continent, and if I find that system to be 

 what I think it is, I propose to establish a depot upon the 

 Zambesi, and from that station more especially to examine 

 into that river system, which, according to the statements 

 of the natives, if discovered, would afford a pathway to the 

 country beyond, where cotton, indigo, and other raw material 

 might be obtained to any amount. 



