The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-02

ISLAND OF ZANZIBAR Africa, Feb. 0, 1860.
or all modern travellers David Livingstone heads
the list. Wonderful is the energy which imbues
him; and, in truth, when one surveys the list of
missionaries there is temptation irresistible
almost in mans bosom to place this unparalleled
character even at the head Of these, taken in the
true and proper OF the word as understood bv
the Saviour when he delivered his commands to
the Apostles to preach the Gospel to every nation'
Around every hearth the story OF his travels in
South Africa had been theme OF interest, not only
to the adults sitting comfortably In armchars, but
to the wonder-loving juniors of both sexes. And
though the details OF his labOrs seem to have run
gibly from the point Of his pen yet, while reading
the story, feels compelled to lay 1t down often to
pause and consider upon his forttude, his deliberate
courage and the praseworthy sei-denial which s
a notable characteristic in selfish age There Is u
disposition to hug self at the thought that the
century now rapidly lifting away could conceive
such virtuous fruit. And the virtue that
in him lies evidently has made itself
manifest to the uncivzed children OF
Southern Africa; for without laboring to prove any
audaDle act that he had committed, whereby he
might command the love and respect of his dark
associates the reader of his missionary abors feels
convinced that there must have been a magnetic
goodness in him apparent to infuse savage souls
preached. without pretending to be an author or
literary character OF any note, there are but few
Htterdte,trs who could have produced book
modest, so full OF general information, so truthful,
an account of his travels during sixteen years OF
his life in South Africa
LIvINGsToNE's LIFE HISTORY.
Though there are but few people in Amer ca or
England who have not read his first book which
contains the very shortest biography ever written
by himself, your correspondent feels II incum-
bent upon him to preface his letter bj a short
sketch Of the renowned traveller David Livingstone,
MD.
Dr. Livingstone about whose fate the whole
Anglo-Saxon on both sides Of the Atlantic
have felt anxious is a native OF Scotland and 10
now in his ffty-thrd year. His parents were poor
but honest. According to his own statement, the
early years OF his life we're posed In hard labor,
being compelled to turn out soon to support him.
self. At the age OF ten he was employed In
factory as piecer, attending night school regu-
larry and paying for his tuition out OF what he
could save from his scant wages. As the school
hours were not sufficiently long to educate him az
speedily as he wished he generally con-
tinued his studies until twelve, midnight,
when, as a very natural thing, his mother,
worried and made uneasy by his persistent
attention TO his books by feeble light
from rush light, used to snatch his books from
him and incontinenty send him to his bed. Hard
labor at the factory from six In the morning till
eight O'Clock at night, with but short intervals for
dinner and supper, and studies until midnight, was
continued until he was sixteen. Sometimes he
used to have book fixed before him on his spin
ming jenny, studying and working at the same
time. This manual labor at the factory trained him
to undergo the fatgues Of his travels through
tries proverbiay III suited to Europeans Books of
travel were his hobby when he was boy, though he
neglected nothing that might improve his general
knowledge Of science, geography and medicine.
At the age OF nineteen he was promoted to cotton
spinning, and out OF his earnings he managed to
CONTINUED ON SEVENTH PAGE.