656 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



weary march and trying hour when I had no European nor friend to speak 

 to. On my arrival in England, what I had trusted to has been nobly fulfilled. 

 I thank you again, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Corporation, and Inhabitants of 

 Liverpool, for the cordial, kind, and noble way in which you have received me." 

 Shortly afterwards the traveller was entertained at a banquet presided 

 over by the Mayor, and attended by upwards of a hundred distinguished 

 guests. After proposing the toast of " The Queen," which was duly honoured, 

 the Mayor next said — " I have great pleasure in proposing the health of our 

 gallant guest, Lieutenant Cameron. I esteem it a great privilege to have the 

 honour of first welcoming him on his return to his native land. For nearly 

 four years he has been exploring a country in which danger and difficulties 

 ever attend the traveller. He went out in command of the Livingstone East 

 Coast Expedition at a time when that distinguished traveller had not been 

 heard of for several years, and on finding that Dr. Livingstone was dead, he 

 determined, though in no wise bound to do so, to pursue the discoveries of that 

 eminent man and traveller. Since then he has with great intrepidity and 

 courage crossed South Africa from east to west; made important astronomical 

 and geological observations ; prepared a careful survey of his route ; and thus 

 achieved, under many trials, privations, and sickness, one of the great events 

 in the history of Geographical explorations. This town cannot fail to be 

 deeply interested with African exploration, its early history as a commercial 

 port being closely identified with that country. Everything that tends to de- 

 velop the resources of Africa is sure to be watched with interest by the mer- 

 chants of this port. Such labours as those of Lieutenant Cameron must be of 

 great commercial advantage to this country, as the more such countries a3 

 Africa are opened up, and civilisation allowed to reach the people, the better 

 it must be for trade and commerce. But we congratulate and welcome our 

 esteemed guest on other grounds than these. Much as we are interested in 

 trade and its increase, we are more interested in the progress of civilisation 

 and the spread of Christianity. Dr. Livingstone was a pioneer in promoting 

 these blessings in Africa, and Lieutenant Cameron has been nobly following 

 in his footsteps, and so we delight to do him honour. Englishmen are always 

 proud to recognise courage, bravery, and self-denial, and when shown, to the 

 honour of their country, they specially rejoice to do so. Lieutenant Cameron's 

 acts have become history, and have added fame to his country's name. On 

 behalf of this great commercial town, and of those present to day, I tender 

 to our gallant guest our heartiest congratulations and a cordial welcome to 

 his native land. Lieutenant Cameron was sustained and encouraged in his 

 travels by the thought which he expressed in one of his letters, ' that the Bri- 

 tish public and the Geographical Society would never desert any one who 

 tried to do his best;' and the greeting we offer to-day, and the one that awaits 

 him in the metropolis, will prove to him that his confidence was not misplaced." 



