and Nyanja, are independent and hospitable'. Some of these are the Manganja, whose chief is named Chibisa3. They are brave, and can make effective use of bows and poisoned arrows3. With regard to African fever, it seems to be proved by the experience of the members of this expedition, that active employment and good diet do much to prevent its first attacks; and that quinine cures it; while first attacks predispose to others*. All accounts go to confirm the present blighting influence of the Portuguese on the well-being and happiness of Africa. Their miserably restricted policy; their exclusive trade in slaves and ivory; their want of skill and energy, all tend to close rather than open the fabulous resources of this great continent. Even in their wretched wars with the natives they get worsted, and many pay black mail to be allowed to cultivate the soil or trade at all. Both Dr Livingstone and Captain Bedingfeld make revelations with regard to slavery, which I propose to treat more in detail elsewhere". It is very evident that a settling day must come as to how long "a few Portuguese pedlars in human flesh" are to be allowed to shut up the vast interior of this continent: by placing a Station at the mouth of the Shire, and a Custom-house at the entrance of the Zambesi, as well as by trying to shew that two black men (pretended Portu Letter, No. II. Letter, No. 12.. Letter, No. 7. See Dr Livingstone's and Dr Kirk's Report, Letter, No. 17. 5 African Slavery; its history, causes, curse, and cure. See the prospectus of books in preparation. guese) crossed the whole continent from east to west before Livingstone, they are trying to establish a claim to all the regions made known to us by our enterprising traveller. Such things must not be. Africa has been opened to enjoy a nobler place among the races of the earth, than that of being perpetual bondmen to the stronger: GOD Grant that IT MAY NEVER BE SHUT AGAIN! Conclusion. We again close this memoir, after bringing it onward two more eventful years. Surely the prayers of multitudes will ascend to God for the success of all these undertakings. True philanthropy, the advancement of science, and the opening up of Africa to commerce and Christianity are their avowed, and real objects. What can be nobler? This volume, in a second time finding its way into the world, does so under altered circumstances. Knowledge has been increased, more intense interest has been excited, and the energetic action of Government, people, societies, and of our National Church, have all cheered on Dr Livingstone and his party to nobler deeds, whilst new expeditions, as we have seen, will soon be departing, under like encouraging auspices, on errands of mercy, love and truth, the results of whose investigations it is for the future to experience, chronicle and digest. If the members of these several expeditions ever return to this country (God grant that they may) the editor of this book as well as many who read it may be silent in the grave. Whilst we wish GOD SPEED to all those self-sacri ficing spirits' who are battling in the very forefront of the fray against the powers of darkness, amid wild men and beasts, and despite the "pestilence that walketh in darkness and the destruction that wasteth at noonday," let us remember that Christ will be their refuge, and Providence their guide and safeguard. Let us, in keeping in mind our latter end, "Strive to enter in at the straight gate," in the prayerful hope of meeting them and many Central Africans around Heaven's throne of glory-"THERE IS PEACE, THERE IS HAPPINESS, THERE THE WICKED FROM TROUBLING, AND THE WEARY ARE AT REST." CEASE 1 Since the above pages were written the Editor has been favoured, by Admiral W. H. Smyth, with the following extract from a letter addressed to a member of the admiral's family by Sir H. Barth, dated Berlin, 9th April, 1860. "Besides my other labours the progress of African discovery is of immense interest to me; and I hope that it will be also interesting to you and the Admiral to hear that a friend of mine (the name of this ardent young man is Roscher) has reached, in the course of October last, the eastern snore of that most southern lake Nyassa, the southern border of which was reached by Dr Livingstone about the same time. We therefore have ample reason to expect the fullest details on that highly interesting new region from different quarters. Now while Captains Speke and Grant are going out in order to settle that deeply interesting question with regard to the connexion of Lake Ukerewe (?) with the Nile, another friend of mine, well provided with means, is presently leaving in order to try to add a small share to this important chain of discoveries. The name of this young enterprising nobleman is Baron Vonder Decken." It may not be known that Admiral Smyth was the first to point out the importance of making explorations into Central Africa from the north. See the Appendix to his book, The Mediterranean, a work full of minute information, wise conclusions, and valuable suggestions. Mr Consul M'Leod has published a book Travels in Eastern Africa and Mosambique; and Mr Petherick has one in preparation with respect to Africa. 2 Psalm xci. |