Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa.

On entering the service of the London Missionary Society in 1840, Dr. Livingstone was instructed to proceed, in the first instance, to Kuruman, and from thence to turn his attention to the North. He spent a considerable time in Bechuanaland, partly with the chief Sechele, whom he ultimately baptized, and partly at the mission station of Kolobeng. Here he met a good deal of opposition in his mission work from the "Boers of the Cashan Mountains," but he remarks that the latter " are not to be confounded with the Cape colonists;....the Boers generally....are a sober, industrious, and hospitable body of peasantry. Those, however, who have fled from English law on various pretexts...are unfortunately of a very different stamp."

Dr. Livingstone is charged by Dr.Theal ("History of South Africa, 1834-1854") with "extreme prejudice against the emigrant farmers, "and in the  " History of the Boers in Africa," by the same author, it is stated that "in all South Africa there was no man more disliked by the farmers than the Rev. Dr. Livingstone." The latter, however, denies that any prejudice existed on his part, and says, " I am sensible of no mental bias towards....(the) Boers."

It is stated that when " Sir George Cathcart proclaimed the independence of the Boers," they asked him, "What about the missionaries?" and to this question he is supposed to  have answered, " You may do as you please with them." However, whether this conversation really occurred or not, it is asserted that soon after they destroyed three mission stations, including that of Livingstone, an act, he remarks, which " only set me entirely free for my expedition to the North....The Boers resolved to shut up the interior, and I determined to open the country, and we shall see who have been most successful in resolution--they or I*."

On June 1st 1849, Livingstone, accompanied by his wife, and Messrs, Oswell and Murray, left Kolobeng; they discovered Lake N'gami on 1st August, soon after which Livingstone returned to Kolobeng, where he remained until April 1850. He then left with his wife and Sechele in order to visit chief Sebituane, who died soon after their arrival, whereupon the missionary and Mr. Oswell went on an exploring expedition in the course of which they discovered the river Zambezi," in the centre of the continent," in a region where it was not suspected to exist.

On his return to Kolobeng, finding the Boers would not allow " the peaceable instruction of the natives," he took his family to Cape Town, and sent them home in April 1852. He then started on his expedition "from the southern extremity of the continent to St. Paul de Loando...and thence across South Central in an oblique direction to Kilimane (Quilimane) in Eastern Africa." The route taken was through the Cape Colony, via the Kalahari desert, to that part of South Africa afterwards known as Griqualand West, and from thence through  Kuruman and Sechele's country to the town of Linyanti, on the Chobe River, where he remained for a month, and then proceeded up the river to Shesheke, in the Barotse country, returning to Linyanti in September 1853.

He now made arrangements for his journey to the west coast and journeying via the Gonje Falls, he arrived at the confluence of the Leeba and Leeambye Rivers on 27th December, afterwards proceeding in a north-westerly direction, and finally reaching Loanda on May 31st, 1854.

Here he became the guest of an Englishman, Mr. Gabriel, and being in a very weak state, was offered a passage to St. Helena in a British cruiser. He decided, however, not to forsake his faithful Makololo followers, and to return to Linyanti and proceed to the east coast. Accordingly, after a stay of six months at Loanda, he commenced his journey on September 20th, 1854, and after a long expedition, conducted in feeble health, arrived at his destination just one year later. He was well received by the chief Sekeletu, and was soon busily engaged in preparing for his new journey, making a start on 3rd November, accompanied by the chief and 200 of his followers. They visited the now celebrated falls, then called by the natives Mosioatunya, but now known all over the world by the name given to them by Livingstone- the " Victoria Falls."

The journey was resumed to the north-east, and on March 3rd Livingstone arrived at Tete and resuming his travels after a short halt, reached Quilimane on May 20th, 1856, where he found that Commander MacLune and Lieutenant Woodruffe with five men, who had been sent to meet him,had perished on the bar. He remained at Quilimane for six weeks, and had partially regained his strength when the brig Frolic arrived, bringing him cash and abundant supplies, and leaving Quilimane on July 12th he arrived at Mauritius a month later, and proceeded to England.

Source Mendelssohn volume 1 pages 908-910

Original brown blind stamped cloth, with gilt lettering to spine. x plus 687 pages plus 8 pages publisher's catalogue. Folding engraving. Title with vignette (Tsetse Fly). Dedication. Preface. Contents. List of Illustrations (47). Portrait. Folding map at end. Folding map in rear pocket, by Arrowsmith.

Hinges tender. Owners name on stamp margin to inside blank of front endpaper. Inked signature to the top of title page 1858. Odd spots and usual wear.

A very good working copy.