258 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



and a pioneer, without fear and without egotism, without desire of reward. Such 

 a work, accomplished by such a man, deserved all the eulogy that can be be- 

 stowed upon it. For nothing is more rare than brilliant and unsullied success." 



Dr. Livingstone remained in England until the 10th of March, 1858, in 

 the interval publishing his li Missionary Travels in South Africa," a task 

 which he found so irksome as to induce him to say that he would rather cross 

 the continent of Africa from coast to coast once more than write another book. 

 Finding that his freedom of future action might be encumbered by his con- 

 tinuing his connection with the Missionary Society he separated himself from 

 it. His pay as a missionary was too small for the calls upon him as a son, a 

 husband, and a father ; and he concluded, not unnaturally, that funds would 

 be forthcoming, through the aid of Government or otherwise, to enable him to 

 continue his efforts for the opening up of the interior of Africa for legitimate 

 commerce and the suppression of the slave trade. " While I hope to continue 

 the same cordial co-operation and friendship which has always characterised 

 our intercourse, various reasons induced me to withdraw from pecuniary de- 

 pendence on any Society. I have done something for the heathen, but for an 

 aged mother, who has still more sacred claims than they, I have been able to 

 do nothing ; and a continuance of the connection would be a perpetuation of 

 my inability to make any provision for her declining years." 



On the 18th of February, 1858, a Farewell Livingstone Festival took place 

 at the Freemasons' Tavern, London, Sir Roderick Murchison in the chair. 

 Three hundred and fifty gentlemen, representing the elite of English society 

 in literature, science, art, politics, &c, sat down to dinner. The gallery was 

 occupied by a brilliant assemblage of ladies. 



The toasts were given with all the honours, and the band of the 

 Grenadier Guards and the Duke of Argyle's piper played Scotch and other 

 airs. After the usual loyal and formal toasts, Sir Roderick Murchison rose 

 amidst great applause, and said : — 



" I rise, gentlemen, to propose the toast of the evening — l Health to the 

 excellent man who sits on my right hand, and success to his expedition.' 

 (Vehement and long continued applause.) When this farewell dinner to my 

 distinguished friend was suggested ten days ago only, by a few ardent 

 Geographers, with a request that I would take the chair, it might well have 

 been supposed that in so brief a space of time it would be difficult to obtain 

 an attendance worthy of the great occasion ; but I felt assured that the name 

 of Livingstone alone would attract an assembly larger than any room in 

 London could contain. (Cheers.) My anticipation, gentlemen, was correct ; 

 and it truly gratifies me to see that this impromptu ' coup de voyageur ' has 

 brought together men of real distinction in all the great classes of the British 

 public. (Cheers.) The only weak part of the programme, I said to my 

 friends, would be that of your chairman (cries of ' No, no '); but at all events, 



