THE LAST DAYS OF DR LIVINGSTONE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1177, 20 June 1874, Page 6

THE LAST DAYS OF DR LIVINGSTONE.

At a meeting of the JAoyal Geographical Society, held on the 13th April, Mr Clements Markham read the following letter, containing Majwara's account of the last days of Dr Livingstone, by F. Holmwood, H.B.M. Consulate, Zanzibar: Zanzibar, March 12, 1874.

Mr dear Sir Bartle — No doubt you will hear from several interested in Dr Livingstone ; but as I do not feel sure that any one has thoroughly examined the men who came down with his remains, I briefly summarise what I have been able to glean from a careful cross-examination of Majwara, who was always at his side during his last days ; and Suai, as well as the Nassick boys, have generally confirmed what he says. I enclose a small sketch map, merely giving my idea of the locality, and have added a dotted line to show his route during this last journey of his life. The party sent by Stanley left Unyanyembe with the Doctor about the end of August, 1872, and marched straight to the south of Lake Tanganyika, through Ufipa, crossing the Rungwa River, where they met with natural springs of boiling water, bubbling up high above the ground. On reaching the Chambezi or Kambezi River, they crossed it about a week's journey from Lake Bemba, also crossing a large feeder ; but by Susi's advice, Livingstone again turned northward, and reorossed the Kambezi, or Luapula, as he then called it, just before it entered the lake. He could not, however, keep close to the north shore of Lake Bemba owing to the numerous creeks and streams which were hidden in forests of high grass and rushes. After making a detour, he again struck the lake at a village, where he got canoes across to an island in the contre, called Matipa. Here the shores on either hand were not visible, and the Dootor was put to great

(traits by the natives declining to let him use their canoea to cross to the opposite shore. He therefore seized seven canoes by force, and when the natives made a show of resistance, he fired his pistol over -their heads, after which they ceased to obstruct him. Crossing the lake diagonally, he arrived in a long valley, and, the rains having now set in fully, the caravan had to wade, rather than walk, constantly crossing blind streams, and, in fact, owing to the high rushes and grass, hardly being able to distinguish at times the land, or rather what was generally dry land, from the lake. Dr Livingstone had been weak and ailing sinoa leaving Unyanyembe, and when passing through the country of Ukabende, at the south-west of the lake, he told Majwara (the boy gwen him by Stanley, who is now in my service) that he felt unable to go on with his work, but should try and cross the hills to Katanga (Katanda?), and there rest, endeavouring to buy ivory, which in all this country is very cheap (three yards of merikani buying a slave or tusk), and returning to Ujiji through Manyuema to recruit and reorganise. But as he approached tha northern part of Bisa (a very large country), arriving in the Province of Ulula, he first had to take to riding a donkey, and then suffer himself to be carried on a kitanda (native bedstead), whioh at first went much against the grain. During this time, he never allowed the boy Majwara to leave him, and then he told this faithful and honest fellow that he should never cross the high hills to Katanda. He called for Susi, and asked how far it was to the Luapula, and on his answering 'three days,' remarked, 'ha should never see his river again/ On arriv* ing at Ilala, the capital of the district, where Kitambo, the Sultan, lived, the party were refused permission to stay, and they car* ried Livingstone three hours' march back towards Kabenda. Here they erected for him a rude hut and fence, and he would not allow any to approach him for the remaining days of his life, except Majwara and Susi, except that every morning they were all desired to come to the door and say ' Good morning.' During these few days he was in great pain, and could keep nothing, even for a moment, on his stomach. He lost his sight so far as hardly to be able to distinguish when a light was kindled, and gradually sank during the night of the 4:h May, 1873. Only Majwara was present when he died, and he is unable to say when he ceased to breathe. Susi, hearing that he was dead, told Jacob Wainwright to make a note in the Doctor's diary of the things found by him. Wainwright was not quite certain as to the day of the month, and as Susi told him the Doctor had last written the day before, and he found this entry to be dated 27 th April, he wrote 28th April, but on comparing his own diary on arrival at Unyanyembe he found it to be the 4th of May ; and this is confirmed by Majwara, who says Livingstone was unable to write for the last four or five days of his life. I fanoy the spot where Livingstone died is about 11.25 degs. S., and 27degs. E ; but of course the whole of this is subject to correction, and, although I have spent many hours in finding it all out, the Doctor's diary may show it to be very imperfect. I fear you will find this a very unconnected narration, but my apology must be that the ConsulGeneral is not well, and the other assistant absent on duty, and there is muoh work for me to do. Mr Arthur Lamg has been entrusted with the charge of the remains and diaries, which latter he has been instructed to hand to Lord Derby. Trusting that you are in the enjoyment of good health, and with great respect believe me, dear Sir Bartle, your most obedient servant, Frederick Holmwood. To the Right Hon. Sir Bartle Frere, X.C.8., G. C.5.1., &c, President of the Royal Geographical Society. At the request of the President, ! Mr A. Laing, who accompanied the remains fron Zanzibar to Suez, said he had had an opportunity of conversing on board with Jacob Wainwright, who had been sent by Mr Stanley from the Coast to meet Dr Livingstone, and he confirmed the account given by Majwara.

On March 18 much commotion was caused in the vicinity of Brixton Road by the sheriff breaking into and taking possession of Holy Trinity Church, South Island, Place, upon a writ of fi. fa., for a debt. Some years ago this church (an iron one of a temporary nature), in which Dr Carden was the officiating minister, had a very large congregation, but Dr Carden was convicted of obtaining money by false pretenceß, and suffered a term of imprisonment. Subsequent to his release he renewed his duties, and has continued to officiate up to the present period, but he never obtained a good congregation, and he incurred a debt which led to the seizure of this church.

At the cattle fair at Marvejols (Lozere) a few days back, a sudden panic seized the animals collected, and they rushed off in a body, tearing in mad fury through the town. Many in their rage, fighting amongst themselves, burst into shop windows. Others passed through the place and could not be stopped until they had gone five or six miles. Unfortunately, the affair was so sudden that many people in the streets were unable to get out of the way, and were knocked down and trampled on. About a dozen at least were taken to the hospital, and many more carried to their own houses in an injured state. The cause of this sad flight is not known; but the opinion seems to be that a pig had got in amongst the cattle, and ' caused the terrible stampede,