lxx PREFATORY LETTER. 



fertility and climate; its vegetable products, that may, perhaps, 

 hereafter be turned to medical and commercial use; its pro- 

 bable possession of a substitute for the Cinchona (or Peruvian 

 bark); its minerals, gems, and iron; its relations to the 

 country farther north — with some account of the Chiefs and 

 their forms of government, that may be useful to future explorers 

 of the Continent. His benevolent and practical mind found 

 ample stores for employment. Once, however (April 4th), he 

 was smitten by fever : but he soon recovered " by the use of 

 his wonted remedies." 



The general condition of the Colony was very gloomy. 

 Its supplies of wealth had been partly cut off by the abolition 

 of its export trade in slaves. Its gold washings had become 

 unproductive by some acts of strange improvidence. It had 

 been desolated by a fierce, ill-conducted Caffre war; which 

 only ended in a precarious peace, lately gained through the 

 prudence and humanity of Major Si card — a man justly popular 

 with the Natives as well as the Colonists. And to add to 

 this list of misfortunes, a portion of the Delta of the Zambesi 

 was desolated by a terrible famine, which was prevailing at 

 the time of Dr Livingstone's arrival at Tete. 



At length (April the 22nd), they started on their way 

 down the river — the Commandant generously providing them 

 with three large trading canoes, under the command of Lieu- 

 tenant Miranda, containing ample supplies for the voyage; and 

 our Author had selected, for this special service, ten of his 

 men who were best skilled in navigating canoes. Their pro- 

 gress down the stream was rapid; and at Lupata the river 

 made its way through a kind of gorge, and was so contracted 

 as to be less than 300 yards wide. But its depth must there 

 be enormous, as the current is not too violent to prevent a 

 steam-boat from ascending through the narrows. The upward 

 passage might be effected without any difficulty. Afterwards 

 the river spreads over a wide surface and moves down among 

 many islands. 



