LECTURE I 



Delivered before the University of Cambridge, in the 

 Senate-House, on Friday, 4th December, 1857. Hr 

 Philpott, Master of St Catharine's College, Vice- 

 Chancellor, in the chair. The building was crowded 

 to excess with all ranks of the University and their 

 friends. The reception was so enthusiastic that lite- 

 rally there were volley after volley of cheers. The 

 Vice-Chancellor introduced Dr Livingstone to the 

 meeting, who spoke nearly as follows: — 



WHEN I went to Africa about seventeen years ago I 

 resolved to acquire an accurate knowledge of the 

 native tongues ; and as I continued, while there, to speak 

 generally in the African languages, the result is that I am 

 not now very fluent in my own; but if you will excuse my 

 imperfections under that head, I will endeavour to give 

 you as clear an idea of Africa as I can. If you look at 

 the map of Africa you will discover the shortness of the 

 coast-line, which is in consequence of the absence of deep 

 indentations of the sea. This is one reason why the in- 

 terior of Africa has remained so long unknown to the rest 

 of the world. Another reason is the unhealthiness of the 

 coast, which seems to have reacted upon the disposition 

 of the people, for they are very unkindly, and opposed to 



