352 LIFE OF DA VI D LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



doubts and questions soon resolved themselves into actual belief that the head 

 waters of the river of Egypt must be carried as far south, and farther south, as 

 some thought, than Lake Tanganyika. 



Dr. Livingstone had not unnaturally looked forward to a considerable 

 period of rest in the bosom of his family after his laborious exertions during the 

 preceding six years ; but there was to be henceforward for him no rest on 

 this side of the grave. The minds of men were drawn towards the unknown 

 country "between lakes Tanganyika and Nyassa, and there was one man on 

 whom the eyes of all men were turned as its explorer. The great traveller 

 himself, after he had seen his book, The Zambesi and its Tributaries, through the 

 press, had not made up his mind as to his future operations, when he was 

 waited upon by Sir Roderick Murchison. That gentleman, with all the 

 astuteness of a Scotch diplomatist, did not at once ask Dr. Livingstone to go 

 himself — on a new mission. 



" My dear Livingstone," he said, "your disclosures respecting the interior 

 of Africa have created a profound excitement in the geographical world. We 

 (the Geographical Society) are of opinion that we ought to send another ex- 

 pedition into the heart of Africa to solve the problem of the water shed 

 between the Nyassa and the Tanganyika lakes ; for when that is settled, all 

 questions about Central Africa will be definitively resolved. Whom could you 

 recommend to take charge of it as a proper man ?" 



After some reflection, Dr. Livingstone recommended a gentleman well 

 known to them both. This gentleman, on being spoken to, would only con- 

 sent to go on the understanding that he would be sufficiently remunerated for 

 his services. There can be only one opinion as to the propriety of the con- 

 ditions on which this gentleman was willing to act ; as it would hardly be fair 

 to expect a man advanced in years to undertake a mission of such privation 

 and difficulty without ample compensation. As the Geographical Society 

 could not guarantee any pecuniary reward, that gentleman declined to proceed 

 to Africa. 



Sir Roderick was much distressed at this refusal, and calling on Dr. 

 Livingstone to announce the non -success of his efforts, he said — "Why 

 cannot you go ? Come, let me persuade you. I am sure you will not refuse 

 an old friend." " I had flattered myself," said Dr. Livingstone, " that I had 

 much prospective comfort in store for me in my old days. And pecuniary 

 matters require looking after for the sake of my family ; but since you ask 

 me in that way, I cannot refuse you." 



"Never mind about the pecuniary matters," said Sir Roderick. "It 

 shall be my task to look after that ; you may rest assured your interests shall 

 not be forgotten." 



At this time Dr. Livingstone's circumstances were of such a nature, as 

 but for this generous offer, to give him considerable anxiety. His first book, 



