2G4 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



reasonably expect material additions to his knowledge from the researches of 

 our guest. Dr. Livingstone has told us how our chairman, in two great 

 branches of inquiry in which he is almost equally distinguished, had in some 

 degree anticipated and forestalled the result of his (Dr. Livingstone's) dis- 

 coveries ; and sharing as I am sure our chairman does in the higher interests 

 of this expedition, he cherishes also, I suspect, a secret hope that it may add 

 another province to the already extended dominions of the Silurian king. 

 (Laughter.) I see at this table my distinguished friend Professor Owen. He 

 also, gentlemen, is well able — no man more able — to appreciate the ' higher 

 ends ' of our guest's exertions ; but mingled with his interest in these, he too 

 perhaps has an eye open to special pursuits — and to bones which may extend 

 the range of his favourite ' homologies.' (Laughter.) 



" But the real source, gentlemen, of the interest taken by the public in 

 the enterprise of Dr. Livingstone, is the deep and abiding interest which they 

 take in that great cause with which it is specially connected — that great cause 

 to which their attention was roused in the last generation by the eloquence of 

 Wilberforce and his associates — the cause of the African race. (Cheers.) I 

 have been astonished during this last week to receive from America a journal 

 containing the report of a discussion which has lately taken place in the 

 Senate of that great Republic, in which it was asserted that there were evident 

 symptoms of a change of feeling upon this subject in England. And I was 

 even more surprised to see the reply made to that assertion by another 

 member of the same body, which was to the effect that he did not believe 

 there was any change on the part of the people of this country, although he 

 feared there was a change of policy on the part of its Government. Now, 

 gentlemen, there is nothing I am more anxious to say on this occasion than 

 to give an emphatic denial to both assertions. (Cheers.) There is no change 

 in the feeling of the people — as little is there any change in the policy of the 

 Government. I need hardly say that as regards slavery in America the 

 Government of this country neither has, nor can have, any policy at all. 

 There can be no doubt that any public or official interference on our part 

 upon that subject would only tend to add to the many powerful motives 

 already arrayed on the side of slavery, the just susceptibilities of national 

 independence. But as regards the policy of the Government with reference 

 to the slave-trade, and generally towards the African race, it is the same as it 

 has ever been since this country was awakened to her duty. I think I could 

 appeal to the keenest opponent of Lord Palmerston whether, during his long 

 and distinguished public career, there has been any subject on which he has 

 shown more constantly his characteristic energy and tenacity of purpose. 

 (Cheers.) I can sincerely say that the great motive which has induced him 

 and my noble friend Lord Clarendon, and the other members of the Govern- 

 ment, to support the enterprise of Dr. Livingstone, has been the hope that 



