162 
JOURNEY ALONG THE ORANGE RIVER. [Feb. 22, 1858. 
able to say when we come back, “ I will be silent ; let them speak.” I expect 
that Captain Bedingfeld will be able to give a good account of the river system 
of the country. We are not at all certain as to that wonderful net- work of 
waters to the northward of the parts that I traversed. That will be one point 
which we shall endeavour to ascertain. I have the greatest confidence that 
Captain Bedingfeld will give us accurate information on this point, and also 
as to the navigability of the Zambesi itself. I came down that river when it 
was full. I have no authority for what it may be at low-water. I take the 
authority of two or three naval officers who ascended seventy miles when it 
was at its lowest — sixteen feet below what I saw it at — and their opinion was 
favourable as to its navigability, and I hope Captain Bedingfeld’s judgment will 
also be favourable. Then, Dr. Kirk is an economic botanist ; he is expected 
to give us a full account of the vegetable resources of the country. From 
Mr. Thornton, of the School of Mines, we expect to get a full account of the 
mineral resources of the country, especially in relation to the coal-field, speci- 
mens of which I brought home with mt. Then, we are accompanied by an artist, 
Mr. Baines, and my brother will* also attend to photography, so that we hope to 
give you all an opportunity of seeing exactly what the sun tells upon collodion. 
Dr. Kirk being also a medical man, will be able to determine the value of my 
opinion respecting the healthiness of the high lands over which I passed, and 
their suitableness as a residence for Europeans. I would like you all to 
remember that the Zambesi is about the dividing point between the fertile 
country northwards, and the comparatively arid country to the south. In the 
north, and especially to the west, cotton abounds in large quantities. Fortu- 
nately, to-day, in packing up, I stumbled upon a piece of cotton -which I 
carried all the way from Angola. In speaking to a gentleman at Manchester, 
I mentioned that this cotton was very short in the staple, about half an inch 
in length ; but I find upon inspection that it is double that length, and 
is a valuable cotton. That cotton grows in Angola, and I believe the country 
to the north of the Zambesi is to a large extent admirably adapted to the cul- 
tivation of cotton. And, no doubt, there are many other products in that 
fertile country. I would also say with our Scotch poet Burns : — 
“ The best laid schemes o’ mice, an’ men, 
Gang aft-a-gley.” 
There may be some little hitch ; we may meet with some misfortune, with 
something we do not expect. But we mean to do our best, and we are deter- 
mined to do our duty. And I would most gratefully thank the Geographical 
Society and its officers, and you, Mr. President, in particular, for all the 
kindness and all the honours that have been heaped upon me. I thank you 
most heartily, and I hope that I and my companions may be the means of 
introducing a new state of things into that hitherto down trodden country. 
The President finally informed the Meeting that it had been resolved to give 
Dr. Livingstone a farewell public dinner on his departure on the 13th inst., 
and concluded by expressing the hope that many of his friends and admirers 
would attend. 
Seventh Meeting , Monday , February 22nd, 1858. 
Sir RODERICK I. MURCHISON, President, in the Chair. 
Presentations. — Mr. T. W. Hinchliff and Mr. George Seymour were 
presented upon their election. 
Elections, — Lieut , C, C . Gordon , r.e. ; Capt. G. Hancock , r.n. ; Sir 
