The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-21
LITERATURE.


Brothers, New York. Philadelphia agents, J.
B. Lippincott d Co.
large, well.printed volume Of 619 pages, pro
fusely filed with sngravings, contains the ex-
perience of the Livingstone brothers during
sojourn of six years in the wilds Of Africa. The
work is written in a style of didact.o force, yet
each event OF the expedition is chronicled with
mnuteness which would rival that of Fra
Philip or Brother Aguilar. 1t is not our pur-
pose to follow the travellers through the wild
tract, to stand with them in the canebrake, TO
watch the alligators sport, to bestride with
them the halt.tamed zebra or gnou and hunt
with them the lion, the leopard, or the antelope.
Our business is not with their journey, but with
the record OF it. Those who seek to hear of
unknown prsirics newly discovered lakes rare
tropical flowers, and untutored tribes, must
read the volume, and we promise them that time
thus spent will not be time wasted. The work
is a record OF priVations dangers, and difficult
ties overcome, enemies trlumphed over, nature
subdued, the mystic circle OF civilization broken
and extended and the daring Of two men made
to accomplish what mad vairly been endeavored
by the Dons of Portugal for centuries.
The LIvingstones started from England
on the 10th OF March, 1885, and reached the
delta of the Zambesi after pleasant voyage.
This delta they assure us, is far greater in size
than that of the Nile, and is capable of rich cul-
tyat1on, as at certain seasons the Zambesi over
flows its banks the same as the great Father OF
Waters. The general appearance of the river is
the same, and we quote the Doctors description
OF the first twenty miles:-
"The broad river has many low islands, on which
are seen various kinds Of waterfowl, such geese
spoonblls, herons, hamingoes repusive crocodiles,
with open jaws they sleep and Dask in the sun on
the'ow banks, soon catch the sound otthe reYoVlng
popotamus having selected some still reach Of the
river to spend the day rises from the bottom where
he has been enjoying his morning bath after the
laboTs of tho night on shore, blows puff OF spray
out of his nostrs shakes the water out of his ears
Sounding loud alarm TO the rest OF the heru, with
notes as OF a monster bassoon"
That rich luxuuance of vegetation which has
rendered all tropical countries so famous is eX-
Celled in the south of Africa. Nature outdoes
her originating power, and fl.s with Verdure
every grotto, hill, or valley. We will not en-
deavor to portray the scenery. Amid countless
variety of colored plants giant trees, vast vines,
and ever-varied foliage fit ceasolessly innumera-
BILE birds. A delightful chapter is devoted to
these warblers, which would charm the orni-
thologist. We only quote his description OF the
honey-guide, one Of the most remarkable of
African birds:-
Chow is it that every member of its family has
learned that all men, white or black, are fond OF
honey! The instant the little fellow gets glimpse
OF man, he hastens to greet him with the hearty
invitation to come to bees'-hlve and take some
honey. lie flies on IN the proper erection, perches
a tree, and looks back to see If you are following
then on to another and another, until he guides you
he follows you with pressing opportunities quite as
anxious to lure the stranger 10 tue beeS'hlve as
other birds are to draw him away from their own
nests. Except while on the march, our men were
sure to accept the invitation, and manifested the
same by peculiar responsive whistle, meaning, as
Tine bird never deceived them, but always guided
them to. hive of bees, though some had but little
honey IN store"
Equally remarkable in its intelligence is the
bird that guards the buffalo and rhiRoceros:-
"The grass is often so tall and dense that one
could go close up to these animals quite unpercelYed
but the guardian bird, sitting on the beast sees tue
approach OF danger flaps Its wings and screams
which causes its bulky charge to rush off IRON foe
he has neither seen nor heard; Tor his reward tAG
Vigilant little watcher has the pick of the parasites
OF his tat friend"
After varied voyage up the Zambes, noting
the incidents of the trip, watching the beauties
and changes of nature, following the herd o.
rare animals, and Investigating the peculiarite;
Of the people, our travellers reach Lake Shirwa
1t has acquired fabulous celebrity, which the
Doctor scatters to the wind 1t is only brack
ish body of water, surrounded by mountains
without any outlet, and is sixty miles In length
and thirty in breadth. 1t is separated by a mar
row strip of land from its really noted neghbor
Lake Nyassa. This famous lake is two hundred
miles in length and fifty in width. Never befor,
in Africa had the traveller seen anything like th
dense population on the shores Of the Nyassa
Towards the southern end there was observed al
almost unbroken chain Of villages, rowd
assembled to gaze at the novel spectacle Of
boat under sail, and whenever the party lande
they we're Immediately surrounded by men
women, and children, all anxious to see th
'chiIombo," or wild animals, feed; the arriva
of white men in one of the villages OF IN
Nyassa exciting much the same kind OF interes
as that occasioned by the presence of the hi[
popotamus ON the banks of the Thames. Th
people were, however, on the whole inotHensivO
only lifting slylY the edges of the tent, as boy
do the curtains of travelling menagerie q
home, and exclaiming "Chirombo! chirombo
4. e., wild beasts fit TO be eaten.
The inhabitants are principally employed i
the manufacture of rough iron tools.
Returning again TO the banks of the Shir
river the party continued their trip. There
probably no part of the world in which game
so abundant as along the zambesi ana til
Shire. Anteopes, elephants, rhinoceroses, vii
pigs, and zebras fairly cover the banks an
make alive the forest. Elephant hunting
described as dangerous but exciting sport, b
. cause OF the size of the game. Many Englis