iv.] THE MISSIONARY. 159 



addressed to him the following questions, stating that he 

 wished to print them herein together with his reply. 



These questions are: — 



1st. What natural qualifications of mind and body do 

 you consider to be the best adapted for the successful mis- 

 sionary in South Africa ? 



2nd. What training and attainments are, in your judg- 

 ment, the most conducive to the formation of the same 

 character ? 



3rd. What equipment, speaking generally, as to cloth- 

 ing, library, scientific and other instruments, &c. is the 

 best to provide for such a missionary ? 



Dr Livingstone's answer is as follows. 



12, Kensington Palace Gardens, 

 My dear Sir, I** January, 1858. 



The time which I have now at my disposal 

 is so extremely limited that I cannot answer your questions 

 otherwise than in the most cursory manner. 



1st, Different departments of missionary labour require 

 different accomplishments; but robust health and a good 

 flow of animal spirits are necessary in all cases. A man 

 who is troubled with infirm health, and given to melan- 

 choly, had better stay at home and get some kind soul of a 

 wife to nurse him. In this, as in most matters, we must 

 lean to common sense. 



Queries 2 and 3 may be answered by my saying that 

 mental discipline is essentially necessary: and I think that 

 a study of the physical sciences is a better preparation than 

 that of the dead languages. 



A medical education embraces so wide a range that I 

 always feel unfeignedly thankful for having gone through 

 that curriculum. 



It is a mistake to suppose that any pious man may do 

 for a missionary. One of the founders of the London 



