LECTURE I

Summary

Delivered before the University of Cambridge, in the Senate-House, on Friday, 4th December, 1857. Dr Philpott, Master of St Catharine's College, Vice-Chancellor, in the chair. The building was crowded to excess with all ranks of the University and their friends. The reception was so enthusiastic that literally there were volley after volley of cheers. The Vice-Chancellor introduced Dr Livingstone to the meeting, who spoke nearly as follows:—

When I went to Africa about seventeen years ago I resolved to acquire an accurate knowledge of the native tongues; and as I continued, while there, to speak generally in the African languages, the result is that I am not now very fluent in my own; but if you will excuse my imperfections under that head, I will endeavour to give you as clear an idea of Africa as I can. If you look at the map of Africa you will discover the shortness of the coast-line, which is in consequence of the absence of deep indentations of the sea. This is one reason why the interior of Africa has remained so long unknown to the rest of the world. Another reason is the unhealthiness of the coast, which seems to have reacted upon the disposition of the people, for they are very unkindly, and opposed to Europeans passing through their country. In the southern part of Africa lies the great Kalahari desert, not so called as being a mere sandy plain, devoid of vegetation: such a desert I never saw until I got between Suez and Cairo.