as high as Ben Nevis in Scotland, at the mouth of the
Shire, where there were few or no people to be taught, had determined to
leave the country. This unfortunate decision was communicated to us at
the same time that six of the boys reared by Bishop Mackenzie were sent
back into heathenism. The boys were taken to a place about seven miles
from the ship, but immediately found their way up to us. We told them
that if they wished to remain in the country they had better so arrange
at once, for we were soon to leave. The sequel will show their choice.

As soon as the death of Bishop Mackenzie was known at the Cape, Dr. Gray,
the excellent Bishop there, proceeded at once to England, with a view of
securing an early appointment of another head to the Mission, which in
its origin owed so much to his zeal for the spread of the gospel among
the heathen, and whose interests he had continually at heart. About the
middle of 1862 we heard that Dr. Gray's efforts had been successful, and
that another clergyman would soon take the place of our departed friend.
This pleasing intelligence was exceedingly cheering to the Missionaries,
and gratifying also to the members of the Expedition. About the
beginning of 1863 the new Bishop arrived at the mouth of the river in a
man-of-war, and after some delay proceeded inland. The Bishop of the
Cape had taken a voyage home at considerable inconvenience to himself,
for the sole object of promoting this Mission to the heathen; and it was
somehow expected that the man he would secure would be an image of
himself; and we must say, that whatever others, from the representations
that have gone abroad, may think of his character, we invariably found
Dr. Gray to be a true, warm-hearted promoter of the welfare of his fellow-
men; a man whose courage and zeal have provoked very many to good works.

It was hoped that the presence of a new head to the Mission would infuse
new energy and life into the small band of Missionaries, whose ranks had
been thinned by death; and who, though discouraged by the disasters which
the slave war and famine had induced, and also dispirited by the
depressing influences of a low and unhealthy position in the swampy Shire
Valley, were yet bravely holding out till the much-needed moral and
material aid should arrive.

We believe that we are uttering the sentiments of many devout members of
different sections of Christians, when we say, it was a pity that the
Mission of