658 LIFE OF DA VI D LI VINGSTONE, LL.D. 



time I was able to go to Lake Kassoli, although I was not allowed to cross 

 the river Lovoi, one of the affluents of the Congo. Then I followed from 

 there the watershed of the Zambesi and the affluent of the Congo down to 

 Bihe, till I came to the basin Quanza. There, there is one of the most mag- 

 nificent natural systems of water communication in the world ; and the Congo 

 and the Zambesi could be joined by a canal of thirty miles. The richness of 

 the country is unspeakable, and I cannot describe it ; and I am sure that, 

 hereafter, the centre of Africa, especially at this side of the Tanganyika, 

 will be a centre of civilisation, and productive of trade. There will be new 

 granaries for the world, new mines, new coalfields, which will be carried on 

 when the mines in other parts of the world have been worked out. If my 

 journey has done any good towards opening up this country, I am amply 

 repaid." 



The Mayor next proposed the toast of " Tha Royal Geographical So- 

 ciety," who had promoted the Expedition, and Mr. Tinne responded on be- 

 half of the Society. " It has been deputed to me," he said, " as one of the 

 oldest members of the Royal Greographical Society, to welcome the gallant 

 Lieutenant on his landing here ; and in their name, and that of my brother 

 associates, I beg to thank you, Mr. Mayor, and my townsmen, on the hearty 

 reception you have given the plucky traveller and explorer. Mr. Cameron 

 has walked, as you are aware, from east to west, some three thousand miles 

 of ground, one thousand two hundred of which are entirely new to geo- 

 graphers, having made most valuable observations, which will correct pre- 

 vious ones, and having laid down other new positions. We used to consider 

 the interior of Africa a sandy desert ; but now we find there magnificent 

 watercourses and lakes, leading to extensive districts of great commercial 

 value." 



Lieutenant Cameron afterwards proceeded to the Exchange Newsroom, 

 where he was received with cheering and clapping of hands, and to the Lite- 

 rary and Philosophical Society, where he was cordially welcomed. 



Referring to Cameron's work as an explorer, and to his Liverpool recep- 

 tion on his return, the " Liverpool Daily Post," the day after the banquet, thus 

 wrote — " The fascinations of African adventure have added another name to 

 the roll of heroic explorers of whom England, more than any other country, 

 has reason to be proud. At the early age of thirty, Lieutenant Cameron finds 

 himself famous as a traveller and discoverer, and it was fitting that Liverpool 

 should accord to him the hearty welcome which he formally received yes- 

 terday on his return, after so eventful an absence, to his native land. More 

 than three years ago, the Lieutenant started for Central Africa at the head of 

 an Expedition for the relief of the illustrious Livingstone, between whom 

 and the civilised world all communication had been cut off. But the mission 

 arrived at its destination too late to fulfil the purpose for which it was organ- 



