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DR. LIVINGSTONE'S DISCOVERIES IN SOUTH AFRICA.*

SELDOM has a book of travels been looked for by the public with so much interest as the one which we have now the satisfaction of introducing to our readers. The scientific, the commercial, and the religious world have been alike anticipating its appearance for several months; and the anxiety to see it has become more and more intense in consequence of addresses delivered by the author before various public bodies in the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, &c. Thanks to the publisher, the volume now lies upon our table; and a goodly volume it is-the very sight of which is enough to satisfy us that it will be read by thousands, and will enkindle in the national mind a livelier concern for Southern Africa than has ever yet been felt.

To review such a book as this, in the common literary sense, is beyond our province; and indeed it is one of a class that must scarcely be regarded as within the reach of criticism: for it is, chiefly, a personal narrative of discoveries, told in a plain, straightforward, and most manly style; in perusing which the reader forgets everything but the enamouring interest of the story, which is kept up through every chapter of the volume even to the close. It is not for us to divine what the world will now say respecting Christian Missions and Missionaries; but here is another proof, additional to many, that those who are known by this long-slighted name are among the greatest benefactors of the age; and that, even as the pioneers of civilization and of commerce, they deserve to be had in highest esteem by men of every rank and position in society. Honour has been paid to Dr. Livingstone, and he richly merits all that has been shown him. Scotland may well be proud of such a son.t The London Missionary Society may well rejoice in having sent out so hardy and devoted a labourer. Whilst Gordon Cumming will never be known by any worthier title than that of "the Lion-Hunter of South Africa," the name of David Livingstone will go down to posterity as one of the most eminent explorers and benefactors of that continent.

And who is David Livingstone-the man to whom the merchant-princes of the land are listening with such attention? In his introductory chapter he gives us, very modestly, a sketch of his history; and for that chapter we heartily thank him. The scion of a worthy house, the early ancestors of which were honest Highlanders, David Livingstone was, nevertheless, at ten years of age, put into the Blantyre Works, (a large cotton manufactory on the beautiful Clyde, above Glasgow,) as a "piecer;" that his poor

* "Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa," &c., &c. By David Livingstone, LL.D., D.C.L., &c., &c. London: John Murray. Pp. 687. (With Portrait; Maps by Arrowsmith; and numerous Illustrations.) 1857.

+ It will be remembered that Bruce, the explorer of the Nile, and Mungo Park, the discoverer of the Niger, were also Scotchmen.

VOL. IV.-FIFTH SERIES.

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mother might be assisted, by his earnings, in her efforts to "make both ends meet." But his youthful mind soared above his position; and having, with part of his first week's wages, purchased Ruddiman's “Rudiments of Latin," he began to study that language at an evening school, the master of which still lives. He pursued his studies for several years, so that at the age of sixteen he had read Virgil and Horace, with whom, he tells us, he was better acquainted then than he is now. He was, too, a great reader, especially of scientific works and books of travels. What is best of all, the efforts of his parents to instil into his mind the doctrines of Christianity were ultimately successful. He understood the theory of 66 our free salvation by the atonement of our Saviour;" felt the need of a personal application of it to his own case; sought and found the inestimable blessing of the pardon of his offences; and thus entered on a new, a spiritual life, in the first glow of which he resolved to devote his future days "to the alleviation of human misery." * To qualify himself as a

"Time and travel," says the author, "have not effaced the feelings of respect I imbibed for the humble inhabitants of my native village. For morality, honesty, and intelligence, they were in general good specimens of the Scottish poor. In a population of more than two thousand souls we had, of course, a variety of character. In addition to the common run of men, there were some characters of sterling worth and ability, who exerted a most beneficial influence on the children and youth of the place by imparting gratuitous religious instruction. Much intelligent interest was felt by the villagers in all public questions; and they furnished a proof that the possession of the means of education did not render them an unsafe portion of the population. They felt kindly towards each other, and much respected those of the neighbouring gentry who, like the late Lord Douglas, placed some confidence in their sense of honour." Referring to the men "of sterling worth and ability," who gratuitously laboured in the cause of religious teaching, he adds a foot-note: "The reader will pardon my mentioning the names of two of these most worthy men :— David Hogg, who addressed me on his death-bed with the words, 'Now, lad! make religion the every-day business of your life, and not a thing of fits and starts ; for, if you do not, temptation and other things will get the better of you ; '—and Thomas Burke, an old Forty-second Peninsula soldier, who has been incessant and never weary in good works for about forty years. I was delighted to find him still alive. Men like these are an honour to their country and profession." Compare, with this most admirable note, a passage of the address given by Dr. Livingstone at Blantyre, on the last day of 1856. We copy from the report of that speech in Scottish papers at the time: "There was another word he wished to say, having special reference to the young present; and that was, that in his time, when a man became religious, people looked upon him and said, 'O, he is too holy;' or perhaps they might say he was a hypocrite. He wished them to become thoroughly religious, and cordially to embrace the offers of mercy. There was nothing mean in a man bowing down, and seeking the favour and friendship of God through Christ. t was manly to do so. Those who gave themselves up to sottish habits looked down on a Christian with scorn, and said he was a hypocrite; but when they came to be laid on a bed of sickness, they sent for Thomas Burke (alluding to an aged Methodist Preacher in the village). He urged each of them to close with the offers of mercy." [By the way, the good old man, Thomas Burke, (whose chosen friend was Neil Livingstone, the traveller's father,) is not a Methodist Preacher, but a Methodist Class-Leader, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. His course, to

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pioneer of Christianity in China, he studied medicine; and, whilst still employed in the work of cotton-spinning, attended, during the winter months of the year, the Greek classes in Glasgow, and the divinity lectures of the late Dr. Wardlaw. And all this he did without receiving farthing of aid from anyone,”— -a fact which we would commend to the attention of young men, as an incentive to effort in the midst of many difficulties.

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He was at length "admitted a Licentiate of Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons ;" and, though he thought at first of going to China as a medical Missionary on his own account, he was induced to offer himself to the London Missionary Society, because of "its perfectly unsectarian character." China, however, seemed closed against him; and now his attention was turned to South Africa. For that continent he embarked in 1840; and from Algoa Bay he proceeded to the interior, to extend the Mission, which had been long before established by Mr. Moffat, further to the north. Little, perhaps, did he even yet think what Providence intended him to accomplish. But those early years of toil and study were fitting him for a great work; and it is doubtful whether China, or any other part of the world, would have presented to him such a field of usefulness as he ultimately found in South Central Africa.

After spending some time at Kuruman, then the most northern Missionary station in the country, (the history of which is given in Mr. Moffat's ever-interesting pages,) Dr. Livingstone commenced a Mission among a tribe of Bechuanas called the Bakwains, selecting as the site of a station "the beautiful valley of Mabotsa, (lat. 25° 14′ S., long. 26° 30′ E.?)” -but subsequently choosing another place called Kolobeng, a few miles to the north-west. This was a considerable step in advance of former evangelizing efforts; and a most important step it proved, as it ultimately led to the opening up of the extensive territory which the volume before us so graphically describes. The Missionary, however, soon met with formidable enemies; for lions were common in that part of the country. Having gone out on one occasion with some of the people to attack the foe, hoping to rid the neighbourhood of alarms, he well-nigh lost his life. He had just discharged a couple of bullets from his gun, when a lion, wounded, this very day, continues to be one of unabated zeal. For years he was formerly accustomed to go round the village of Blantyre every Sunday morning, ringing a large hand-bell to arouse the people for the early prayer-meeting. Ministers, Elders, and Deacons, belonging to the churches around, have occasionally held services in the school-rooms and cottages of Blantyre, and in some instances continued these for months together: but Thomas alone seems to have persevered in this good work; and he is now the only one of the village or neighbourhood who holds such a service. Venerable in age, and so infirm as to be compelled to move about on crutches, he is withal the most active member of our little church in Blantyre. Principally as a mark of esteem for him, the Proprietors of the Mills allow the Methodists the free use of their two school-rooms. Will anyone say, either that Methodism is not needed north of the Tweed, or that it has accomplished nothing there?]

turned round, sprang upon him, caught him by the shoulder, and shook him "as a terrier does a rat." * The magnificent animal then left him to attack another of its opponents, but presently fell down dead.

The Chief of the Bakwains was called Sechele. On the history of this individual, as here given, it would be pleasant enough to linger; for he was, certainly, a very extraordinary man. He listened to the truth, and asked permission to put some questions with regard to what he heard. When the doctrine of a future judgment was announced, he said, "You startle me-these words make all my bones to shake-I have no more strength in me: but my forefathers were living at the same time yours were; and how is it that they did not send them word about these terrible things sooner ?" An affecting question this, which, in substance, has been proposed by the Heathen to many a Missionary. Dr. Livingstone endeavoured to reply to it, and Sechele became an humble inquirer after knowledge. He learnt to read; made himself acquainted with the Bible; and of the prophecies of Isaiah, in particular, he was a great admirer. He thought, however, of making his people Christians by thrashing them, and said to the Missionary, “If you like, I will call my head-men, and with our litupa" (whips of rhinoceros-hide) "we will soon make them all believe together." He was surprised at the idea of using nothing but persuasion, and imagined that coercive measures would be absolutely necessary.

The Missionary found, however, that all his influence with the people "depended on persuasion ;" and, "having taught them by kind conversation, as well as by public instruction," he "expected them to do what their own sense of right and wrong dictated." Thus should human nature be treated everywhere. Even the Heathen possess a measure of self-respect; and if you deal with them, not as you would with animals, but as you would with reasoning men, you will gain a far greater influence over them than you could by any other means. This Dr. Livingstone proved; for in five instances his mediation prevented war; and, if not so successful as he could have wished to be in making converts to Christianity, he obtained -as many other Missionaries in South Africa have done-a moral power over the tribes among whom he laboured, such as no other class of men ever did or could obtain.

That he should have been opposed in his generous and philanthropic plans, and this by men calling themselves Christians, is a sad and most disgraceful fact. But so it was. The "Boers" (or, as the word signifies, the "farmers") of the Cashan mountains, many of whom had left the Cape Colony because the British Government had emancipated their slaves, became more formidable enemies to the Bakwains than the lions themselves, and, in 1852, made war upon them without any provocation. The

* A shaking this, which had an effect like chloroform; since it "annihilated fear, and allowed no sense of horror" in the immediate contact with the lion. "This peculiar state is probably produced in all animals killed by the carnivora; and, if so, is a merciful provision by our benevolent Creator for lessening the pain of death,"

poor natives defended themselves as well as they were able; and, because they were partially successful, the Missionary was charged with having taught them to kill the Boers. What was the result? His house was plundered in revenge, his books torn, his stock of medicines smashed, and his furniture and clothing carried off and sold at a public auction to pay the expenses of the foray. And these are the men whose independence was proclaimed by the late Sir George Cathcart! The day is not far distant when it will be found that the policy of Sir Harry Smith with regard to the Boers was far wiser than that of his successor, and when the British Government will probably be compelled to take the Bechuana tribes, a people who have never done the colonists any harm, under its sheltering wing.

But the loss of the Missionary's property was overruled for good. What says he? "I do not mention these things by way of making a pitiful wail over my losses, nor in order to excite commiseration; for, though I do feel sorry for the loss of lexicons, dictionaries, &c., which had been the companions of my boyhood, yet, after all, the plundering only set me entirely free for my expedition to the north; and I have never since had a moment's concern for anything I left behind. The Boers resolved to shut up the interior, and I determined to open the country; and we shall see who have been most successful in resolution-they or I." (Page 39.)

Nobly said—and, in the end, as nobly done. It is of such stern stuff as this that first-class Missionaries are made. We could mention some other instances of the kind in South Africa: but the friends of that great cause of God and of humanity know already that Missionaries of the right stamp are not soon daunted, but are prepared to meet difficulties in the face, come from whatever point they may. At the time of this attack upon the Bakwains, Dr. Livingstone was at Kuruman, or, probably, he himself would have fallen a victim to the animosity of the Boers. Information of what had taken place was sent to him by the Chief, Sechele; a translation of whose affecting letter is given in the volume. (P. 118.) The Chief was a greater sufferer than the Missionary; for the Boers killed sixty of his people, and took away women and children for slaves. In the bitterness of his grief he resolved to visit the Queen of England, that he might lay before her a statement of his grievances. "Two of his own children, and their mother, a former wife, were among the captives seized by the Boers; and, being imbued with the then very prevalent notion of England's justice and generosity, he thought that, in consequence of the violated treaty, he had a fair case to lay before Her Majesty. He employed all his eloquence and powers of persuasion to induce me to accompany him; but I excused myself on the ground that my arrangements were already made for exploring the north. On explaining the difficulties of the way, and endeavouring to dissuade him from the attempt, on account of the knowledge I possessed of the Governor's policy, he put the pointed question, Will the Queen not listen to me, supposing I should reach her?' I replied, I believe she would listen; but the difficulty is to get to her.' 'Well, I shall reach her,'

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