FAREWELL FESTIVAL. 261 



Dr. Livingstone, in rising to return thanks, showed unmistakeably how 

 much he was affected by the reception which he had met with. He said : — 



" When I was in Africa I could not but look forward with joyous antici- 

 pation to my arrival in my native land ; but when I remember how I have 

 been received, and when I reflect that I am now again returning to the scene 

 of my former labours, I am at a loss how to express in words the feelings of 

 my heart. (Loud cheers.) In former times, while I was performing what I 

 considered to be my duty in Africa, I felt great pleasure in the work ; and 

 now, when I perceive that all eyes are directed to my future conduct, I feel 

 as if I were laid under a load of obligation to do better than I have ever done 

 as yet. (Loud cheers.) I expect to find for myself no large fortune in that 

 country (renewed cheers), nor do I expect to explore any large portions of a 

 new country ; but I do hope to find in that part of the country which I have 

 partially explored, a pathway by means of the river Zambesi which may lead 

 to high lands where Europeans may form a healthful settlement, and where by 

 opening up communication and establishing commercial intercourse with the 

 natives of Africa they may slowly, but not the less surely, impart to the 

 people of that country the knowledge and the inestimable blessings of 

 Christianity. (Loud cheers.) 



" I am glad to have connected with me in this expedition my gallant 

 friend Captain Bedingfeld (hear, hear), who knows not only what African 

 rivers are, but also what are African fevers. (A laugh.) With his aid I may 

 be able to determine the principles of the river system of that great continent; 

 and if I find that system to be what I think it is, I propose to establish a 

 depot upon the Zambesi, and from that station more especially to examine 

 into that river system, which, according to the statements of the natives, 

 would afford a pathway to the country beyond, where cotton, indigo, and 

 other raw material might be obtained to any amount. 



" I am happy also in being accompanied, as Sir Roderick has told you, 

 by men experienced in geology, in botany, in art, and in photography, who 

 will bring back to England reports upon all those points, which I alone have 

 attempted to deal with, and with very little means at my disposal. (Loud 

 cheers.) 



" The success — if I may call it success — which has attended my former 

 efforts (renewed cheering) to open up the country mainly depended upon my 

 entering into the feelings and the wishes of the people of the interior of Africa. 

 I found that the tribes in the interior of that country were just as anxious to 

 have a path to the seaboard as I was to open a communication with the 

 interior, and I am quite certain of obtaining the co-operation of those tribes 

 in my next expedition. Should I succeed in my endeavour — should we be 

 able to open a communication advantageous to ourselves with the natives of 

 the interior of Africa, it would be our duty to confer upon them those great 



