and Christianity, and thus place
it under the influence of the greatest blessings. But even as to being
first, Livingstone was careful not to claim anything that was really due
to others. Writing from Tette to Sir Roderick in March, 1856, he says:
"It seems proper to mention what has been done in former times in the
way of traversing the continent, and the result of my inquiries leads to
the belief that the honor belongs to our country." He refers to the
brave attempt of Captain Jose da Roga, in 1678, to penetrate from
Benguela to the Rio da Senna, in which attempt, however, so much
opposition was encountered that he was compelled to return. In 1800,
Lacerda revived the project by proposing a chain of forts along the
banks of the Coanza. In 1815, two black traders showed the possibility
of communication from east to west, by bringing to Loanda communications
from the Governor of Mozambique. Some Arabs and Moors went from the East
Coast to Benguela, and with a view to improve the event, "a million of
Reis (L142) and an honorary captaincy in the Portuguese army was offered
to any one who would accompany them back--but none went." The journey
had several times been performed by Arabs.

"I do not feel so much elated," continued Dr. Livingstone,
"by the prospect of accomplishing this feat. I feel most
thankful to God for preserving my life, where so many, who by
superior intelligence would have done more good, have been
cut off. But it does not look as if I had reached the goal.
Viewed in relation to my calling, the end of the geographical
feat is only the beginning of the enterprise. Apart from
family longings, I have a most intense longing to hear how it
has fared with our brave men at Sebastopol. My last scrap of
intelligence was the _Times_, 17th November, 1855, after the
terrible affair of the Light Cavalry. The news was not
certain about a most determined attack to force the way to
Balaclava, and Sebastopol expected every day to fall, and I
have had to repress all my longings since, except in a poor
prayer to prosper the cause of justice and right, and cover
the heads of our soldiers in the day of battle." [A few days
later he heard the news.] "We are all engaged in very much
the same cause. Geographers, astronomers, and mechanicians,
laboring to make men better acquainted with each other;
sanitary reformers, prison re