The Livingstone Expedition — Home, 517 
place it on record that he h/is in no way forfeited their 
confidence r 
This unqualified exculpation, together with the 
emphatic declaration of confidence, while I felt it 
was no more than my due, was perfectly satisfactory 
to me, the more so that it was universally accepted 
by the press. 
Subsequently, however, the matter was discussed, 
somewhat unfavourably to myself, by Mr. Stanley, in 
the latter part of his book. It is but just to say that 
Mr. Stanley sent me word to the effect that he was 
writing a friendly criticism " upon myself, in which 
he was " conscientiously " saying some things that he 
feared might offend me ; " and offering to show me 
what he had written before it went to press. But I 
was unable to look at the sheets, and did not care 
to suggest any alteration; so Mr. Stanley unburdened 
his conscience without being in any way shackled 
by me. 
It is too late in the day to enter into this matter at 
length ; but in justice to myself an explanation or 
two is necessary. I am much obliged to Mr. Stanley 
for his "friendly criticism," and for the complimentary 
terms in which he has written of me ; but, as he has 
already designated me too candid^ he will not be sur- 
prised to hear that I do not feel over-flattered. Of 
his conscientious criticisms " I do not complain ; I 
am not aware that they have harmed me ; and I am 
certainly far from being offended by them. At the 
same time Mr. Stanley must know that he has hardly 
treated me fairly. My letter, a portion of which he 
quotes and criticises, was written at his request, after 
he had heard the particulars viva voce^ and had 
