The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-31
which'ranks among the list of fatalities that
no skill or foresight could avert

"Hicn IasAhS hnioiiB tuo IlSC Oh Iat1liucb eno
no skill or foresight could avert
Queen victoria's Memorial OF the Liv-
ingstone Expcdition-Englan Graf
itudc.
The act of Her Majesty Queen Victoria OF
England in causing q letter of thanks to be
addressed in her name to Mr.. Stanley, the
HERALD Search Expedition commander, is a
graceful one, and in perfect consonance with
many wise and thoughtful manifestations of
her royal will That this letter is accompanied
by valuable memorial in the form of o mag
nifcent gold snuffbox studded with diamonds
may add in a material way to its worth, yet
beyond even the lustre of this gift of brilliants
from a queenly hand will shine the telling
words of recognition and congratulation which
she directed to be their forerunners. Justice
had been done to the HERALD explorer by the
enlightened and well-informed of England s
people and governing classes it only re-
NAMED for the sovereign to add her word of
esteem, and this she has done with as much
delicacy as dignity. Her Majesty shows that
the question Of DR.. Livingstone's safety was
one of especial interest to herself, and
that the authenticated news Of his safety re-
ieved an anxiety which she shared with the
humblest in her realm. The letter is short
and formal, as such notes usually are, and has
around it all the evidences of authority, which
will make it State paper as long as the Eng
lish throne rests on its foundation. Neverthe-
less it breathes a warmth and fulness of CRATE
full feeling which no stiff official phrasing onn
obliterate, and so is creditable alike to the
English woman and the Queen. That the en-
terprise was planned and carried out by others
than Englishmen makes the significant royal
gratitude of more value. Accorded to one of
her own subjects it would bear simply do
nestle interest, while extended to the citizen
lions who owe the royal lady no allegiance,
and who will view it in its simple faith in
courage, prudence and zeal applied to noble
end, uninfuenced by the glare and pomp of
royalty. Thus viewed we rejoice ct the ap-
pearance of this generous tribute to American
pluck and enterprise.
The influence, too. which this royal letter
should have in setting at rest all doubts. honest
or dishonest, about the genuineness Of Mr..
SANKEY'S narrative is apparent. The advisers
of Queen Victoria would certainly interpose
to prevent her bestowing such high laudation
upon ON individual whose triumph could be
questioned, or whose veracity could be i'm
peached in the details of his story. 1t will be
observed that the letter is signed by Earl
Granville, the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, who thus not only confirms the title Of
Mr.. Stanley to credit, previously given to the
HERALD correspondent, but pledges the faith
of his sovereign for the certificate it contains.
While, therefore, sceptics on this side Of the
Atlantic are taxing their imaginations for
bubbles and nursing doubts on the au-
thenticity of DR.. Livingstones letter to
the HERALD, the experts Of the English
Foreign Office, with Earl Granville at their
head, who are intimately associated with the
great explorers fame and accurately informed
in all things relating to him, breathe no such
suspicious. The success of the expedition in
all the particulars published, from the meet
ing with DR.. Livingstone down to the traveller 8
letter of thanks to this journal, is proven.
Yesterday we referred to the accumulation of
convincing proof, but we had no knowledge
that so authoritative declaration would reach
us as that which to-day we print elsewhere.
1t would be tiresome to follow every feather
brains vagaries who resurrects an old doubt
or ransacks his ingenuity for new one; yet
we have brought down the principal ones with
- nj %I,o
Queen of England's certificate, set in gold and
diamonds, before the public, we can, for the
present, s'let the heather rage"