162 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.l). 



of our Society's appreciation of Dr. Livingstone's merits ; and I would fain 

 hope that our award will add somewhat to the satisfaction, you and your 

 fellow-labourers must indulge, in having selected and sent forth such an instru- 

 ment of your high and holy designs." 



The Rev. Dr. Tidman replied : — 



" My Lord, — In receiving this mark of honour on behalf of Dr. Living- 

 stone, I can but very inadequately express the gratification which I feel that 

 my intrepid and devoted friend should have secured the distinguished com- 

 mendation of the President and Council of the Royal Geographical Society. 



" When I had the pleasure on a former occasion of receiving, as Dr. 

 Livingstone's representative, the award of a chronometer watch from your 

 Society, I ventured to express the sanguine expectation that, if his life 

 were spared, he would hereafter accomplish more extended labours for 

 the exploration of the interior of Southern Africa. ! That expectation was 

 founded on the knowledge I have long possessed of the indefatigable in- 

 dustry and dauntless courage of Dr. Livingstone ; bis ardent love of science ; 

 and above all, his disinterested Christian benevolence toward the aboriginal 

 tribes of that hitherto unexplored region : for I need not inform your 

 lordship and this meeting, that, how anxious soever our missionary traveller 

 may be to ascertain the geographical facts and physical features of the country, 

 his first and ultimate object is with the people, by introducing them to a know- 

 ledge of that inspired volume which is the true source of civilization and 

 happiness in the present life, no less than of immortal hope and joy beyond it. 



" When Christian missionaries half a century since commenced their 

 work of mercy in Southern Africa, the native tribes possessed no symbol, 

 or visible form of thought ; and the Rev. Robert Moffat and others had to 

 acquire the knowledge of their rude speech, not by the eye, but by the ear ; 

 to make the hut of the savage their study, and by a nice comparison of 

 utterances and sounds, to learn, by slow degrees, the thoughts and feelings of 

 the natives. But over these difficulties their ardour and perseverance 

 triumphed; and they have given back to these aborigines, in their own 

 tongue, various treatises on education and useful knowledge, together with 

 that inspired volume which can make men wise unto salvation. 



" Dr. Livingstone, in the course of his extended journey, found his 

 knowledge of the Sichuana language invaluable; for notwithstanding the 

 variety of dialects which prevailed among different tribes, he was able to 

 hold easy and intelligent intercourse with all ; but, in addition to the charm 

 which the traveller bears about him who can speak the language of the people 

 whom he visits, Dr. Livingstone carries with him the stronger charm of 

 truthfulness, rectitude, and disinterestedness — these have secured for him a 

 good name, and throughout his journey, with rare exceptions, he was received 

 with confidence and treated with kindness by the natives. 



