avocations than those of the geographical
explorer, I should be delighted to consult my friends of the
Society, and take the best steps to promote such an
enterprise.

"For example, you might take your little steamer to the
Rovuma, and, getting up by water as far as possible in the
rainy season, then try to reach the south end of the
Tanganyika. Thither you might transport a light boat, or
build one there, and so get to the end of that sheet
of water.

"Various questions might be decided by the way, and if you
could get to the west, and come out on that coast, or should
be able to reach the White Nile (!), you would bring back an
unrivaled reputation, and would have settled all the great
disputes now pending.

"If you do not like to undertake _the purely geographical
work_, I am of opinion that no one, after yourself, is so
fitted to carry it out as Dr. Kirk. I know that he thinks of
settling down now at home. But if he could delay this
home-settlement for a couple of years, he would not only make
a large sum of money by his book of travels, but would have a
renown that would give him an excellent introduction as a
medical man.

"I have heard you so often talk of the enjoyment you feel
when in Africa, that I cannot believe you now think of
anchoring for the rest of your life on the mud and sand-banks
of England.

"Let me know your mind on the subject. When is the book to
appear? Kind love to your daughter.--Yours sincerely,

"ROD'CK I. MURCHISON."

Livingstone begins his answer by assuring Sir Roderick that he never
contemplated settling down quietly in England; it would be time enough
for that when he was in his dotage. "I should like the exploration you
propose very much, and had already made up my mind to go up the Rovuma,
pass by the head of Lake Nyassa, and away west or northwest as might be
found practicable." He would have been at this ere now, but his book
chained him, and he feared that he could not take back the "Lady Nyassa"
to Africa, with the monsoon against him, so that be must get a boat to
explore the Rovuma.

"What my inclination leads me to prefer is to have
intercourse with the people, and do what I can by talking, to
enlighten them on the slave-trade, and give them some idea of
our religion. It may not be much that I can do,