have been taught that we may not presume confidently to expect them to be fulfilled, and that every petition, however fervent, must be with devout submission to his will.  My poor sister-in-law clung tenaciously to the 91st Psalm, and firmly believed that her dear husband would thus be preserved, and never indulged the idea that they should never meet on earth.  But I apprehend submission was wanting.  ‘If it be Thy will,’ I fancy she could not say—­and, therefore, she was utterly confounded when the news came[42].  She had exercised strong faith, and was disappointed.  Bear Livingstone, I have always endeavored to keep this in mind with regard to you.  Since George [Fleming] came out it seemed almost hope against hope.  Your having got so, thoroughly feverised chills my expectations; still prayer, unceasing prayer, is made for you.  When I think of you my heart will go upward.  ’Keep him as the apple of Thine eye,’ ’Hold him in the hollow of Thy hand,’ are the ejaculations of my heart.”

[Footnote 42:  Rev. John Smith, missionary at Madras, had gone to Vizagapatam to the ordination of two native pastors, and when returning in a small vessel, a storm arose, when he and all on board perished.]

In writing from Linyanti to his wife, Livingstone makes the best he can of his long detention.  She seems to have put the matter playfully, wondering what the “source of attraction” had been.  He says: 

“Don’t know what apology to make you for a delay I could not shorten.  But as you are a mercifully kind-hearted dame, I expect you will write out an apology in proper form, and I shall read it before you with as long a face as I can exhibit.  Disease was the chief obstacle.  The repair of the wagon was the ‘source of attraction’ in Cape Town, and the settlement of a case of libel another ‘source of attraction.’  They tried to engulf me in a law-suit for simply asking the postmaster why some letters were charged double.  They were so marked in my account.  I had to pay L13 to quash it.  They longed to hook me in, from mere hatred to London missionaries.  I did not remain an hour after I could move.  But I do not wonder at your anxiety for my speedy return.  I am sorry you have been disappointed, but you know no mortal can control disease.  The Makololo are wonderfully well pleased with the path we have already made, and if I am successful in going down to Quilimane, that will be still better.  I have written you by every opportunity, and am very sorry your letters have been miscarried.”

To his father-in-law he expresses his warm gratitude for the stores.  It was feared by the natives that the goods were bewitched, so they were placed on an island, a hut was built over them, and there Livingstone found them on his arrival, a year after!  A letter of twelve quarto pages to Mr. Moffat gives his impressions of his journey, while another of sixteen pages to Mrs. Moffat explains his “plans,” about which she had asked more full information.