MR. LABOUCHERE'S SPEECH. 239 



you have heard, how cordially and usefully he was assisted by the Governors 

 of the Portuguese Establishments on the coast of Africa. There is, perhaps, 

 no nation which can boast more than Portugal, of having largely contributed 

 to early geographical enterprise, to our better knowledge of the globe which 

 we inhabit, and to the spread of commerce throughout the earth. I may also 

 say that the mention of the name of Portugal, is always agreeable to British 

 ears, because there is no country with which we are united by an older, by a 

 closer, and, I trust, by a more enduring connection. I think it is fortunate 

 and gratifying to us, on the present occasion, that we have the advantage of 

 having among us, the distinguished nobleman who represents Portugal in this 

 country ; therefore, we shall be able to convey to the Portuguese authorities, 

 through him, the acknowledgment which, I am sure, we must be all anxious 

 to make on the present occasion. I am too well aware of the value of your time, 

 and of the superior claims that others have upon it, to be desirous of address- 

 ing you at any length. Of the importance of the discoveries made in Africa, I 

 am sure we must all feel the strongest and deepest sense ; it is, at all events, 

 a matter of liberal curiosity to all men, to obtain a better knowledge of our 

 earth. But there are interests very dear to the people of this country, which 

 are closely connected with everything that relates to a better knowledge of 

 Africa. There is none, I believe, which has taken a faster hold on the people 

 of Britain than, not only to put a stop to the horrible traffic in slaves, which 

 was once the disgrace of our land as much, if not more than of any other ; 

 but also, as far as possible, to repay to Africa the debt which we owe her, by 

 promoting in every manner, with regard to her inhabitants, the interests of 

 civilization and commerce. We must feel how important a better knowledge 

 of the internal resources and of the condition of Africa must be, in all the 

 efforts which Parliament or statesmen can make in that direction. I will not 

 trespass longer upon your time, but conclude by reading the resolution which 

 has been placed in my hands, and which is one that I am sure will meet from 

 you, a very cordial reception : — 



" That the grateful thanks of the Royal Geographical Society be con- 

 veyed, through his Excellency Count de Lavradio, the Minister of the King 

 of Portugal, to His Majesty's Authorities in Africa, for the hospitality and 

 friendly assistance they afforded to Dr. Livingstone, in his unparalleled 

 travels from St. Paul de Loanda to Tete and Kilimane, across that 

 continent." 



Sir Heney Rawlinson, F.R.G.S., then said — Sir, I could have wished 

 that the task of seconding the resolution had been confided to abler hands ; 

 but since the president has issued his orders — orders which are equivalent to 

 the laws of the Medes and the Persians, with which I am tolerably well 

 acquainted, — I am obliged humbly to bow to the task. After the eloquent 

 description you have heard of the merits of the Portuguese nation, it would 



