294 the bishop's policy. Chap. XI. 



appeared to us, who knew the danger of leading a 

 sedentary life, the greatest mistake they could have made, 

 and was the result of no other counsel or responsibility 

 than their own. Waller would have reascended at once to 

 the higher altitude, but various objections stood in the 

 way. The loss of poor Scudamore and Dickinson, in this 

 low-lying situation, but added to the regret that the high- 

 lands had not received a fair trial. 



When the news of the Bishop's unfortunate collisions 

 with the natives, and of his untimely end, reached Eng- 

 land, much blame was imputed to him. The policy, which 

 with the formal sanction of all his companions he had 

 adopted, being directly contrary to the advice which Dr. 

 Livingstone tendered, and to the assurances of the peace- 

 able nature of the Mission which the Doctor had given to 

 the natives, a friendly disapproval of a bishop's engaging 

 in war was ventured on, when we met him at Chibisa's in 

 November. But when we found his conduct regarded 

 with so much bitterness in England, whether from a dis- 

 position to " stand by the down man," or from having an 

 intimate knowledge of the peculiar circumstances of the 

 country in which he was placed, or from the thorough 

 confidence which intimacy caused us to repose in his 

 genuine piety, and devout service of God, we came to 

 think much more leniently of his proceedings, than his 

 assailants did. He never seemed to doubt but that he had 

 done his duty ; and throughout he had always been sup- 

 ported by his associates. 



The question whether a Bishop, in the event of his 

 flock being torn from his bosom, may make war to rescue 

 them, requires serious consideration. It seems to narrow 

 itself into whether a Christian man may lawfully use the 

 civil power or the sword at all in defensive war, as police, 

 or otherwise. We would do almost anything to avoid a 

 collision with degraded natives ; but in case of an invasion 



