observation, or writing to one of his children who forget, during the little moment of penning a note, that charity which is eulogized as ‘thinking no evil’; and after having by his help got information, which I hope will lead to more abundant blessing being bestowed on Africa than heretofore, am I to hide the light under a bushel, merely because some will consider it not sufficiently, or even at all, missionary?  Knowing that some persons do believe that opening up a new country to the sympathies of Christendom was not a proper work for an agent of a missionary society to engage in, I now refrain from taking any salary from the Society with which I was connected; so no pecuniary loss is sustained by any one.”

Subsequently, when detained in Manyuema, and when his immediate object was to determine the water-shed, Dr. Livingstone wrote:  “I never felt a single pang at having left the Missionary Society.  I acted for my Master, and believe that all ought to devote their special faculties to Him.  I regretted that unconscientious men took occasion to prevent many from sympathizing with me.”

CHAPTER XI.

FIRST VISIT HOME—­continued.

A.D. 1857-1858.

Livingstone at Dublin, at British Association—­Letter to his wife—­He meets the Chamber of Commerce at Manchester—­At Glasgow, receives honors from Corporation, University, Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, United Presbyterians, Cotton-spinners—­His speeches in reply—­His brother Charles joins him—­Interesting meeting and speech at Hamilton—­Reception from “Literary and Scientific Institute of Blantyre”—­Sympathy with operatives—­Quick apprehension of all public questions—­His social views in advance of the age—­He plans a People’s Cafe—­Visit to Edinburgh—­More honors—­Letter to Mr. Maclear—­Interesting visit to Cambridge—­Lectures there—­Professor Sedgwick’s remarks on his visit—­Livingstone’s great satisfaction—­Relations to London Missionary Society—­He severs his connection—­Proposal of Government expedition—­He accepts consulship and command of expedition—­Kindness of Lords Palmerston and Clarendon—­The Portuguese Ambassador—­Livingstone proposes to go to Portugal—­Is dissuaded—­Lord Clarendon’s letter to Sekeletu—­Results of Livingstone’s visit to England—­Farewell banquet, Feb., 1858—­Interview with the Queen—­Valedictory letters—­Professor Sedgwick and Sir Roderick Murchison—­Arrangements for expedition—­Dr., Mrs., and Oswell Livingstone set sail from Liverpool—­Letters to children.

Finding himself, in the autumn, free of the toil of book-making, Dr. Livingstone moved more freely through the country, attended meetings, and gave addresses.  In August he went to Dublin, to the meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and gave an interesting lecture.  Mrs. Livingstone did not accompany him.  In a letter to her we have some pleasant notes of his Dublin visit: