reaching the outlying
Portuguese stations. He was received by the Portuguese gentlemen with
great kindness, and his wants were generously provided for. One of them
gave him the first glass of wine he had taken in Africa. Another
provided him with a suit of clothing. Livingstone invoked the blessing
of Him who said, "I was naked and ye clothed me." His Journal is profuse
in its admiration of some of the Portuguese traders, who did not like
the slave-trade--not they, but had most enlightened views for the
welfare of Africa. But opposite some of these eulogistical passages of
the Journal there were afterward added an expressive series of marks of
interrogation.

At a later date he saw reason to doubt the sincerity of some of the
professions of these gentlemen. Ingenuous and trustful, he could at
first think nothing but good of those who had shown him such marked
attention. Afterward, the inexorable logic of facts proved too strong,
even for his unsuspecting soul. But the kindness of the Portuguese was
most genuine, and Livingstone never ceased to be grateful for a single
kind act. It is important to note that whatever he came to think of
their policy afterward, he was always ready to make this acknowledgment.

Arrived at Loanda, 31st May, 1854, with his twenty-seven followers, he
was most kindly received by Mr. Edmund Gabriel, the British Commissioner
for the suppression of the slave-trade there, and everything was done by
him for his comfort. The sensation of lying on an English bed, after six
months lying on the ground, was indescribably delightful. Mr. Gabriel
was equally attentive to him during a long and distressing attack of
fever and dysentery that prostrated him soon after his arrival at
Loanda. In his Journal the warmest benedictions are poured on Mr.
Gabriel, and blessings everlasting besought for his soul. One great
disappointment he suffered at Loanda--not a single letter was awaiting
him. His friends must have thought he could never reach it. This want of
letters was a very frequent trial, especially to one who wrote so many,
and of such length. The cordial friendship of Mr. Gabriel, however, was
a great solace. He gave him much information, not only on all that
concerned the slave-trade--now more than ever attracting his
attention--but also on the natural history of the district, and he
entered _con amore_ into the highest objects of his mission. Afterward,
in acknowledging to the Directors of the London Mis