The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-11

editorial article of the London Daily Ieie-
graph announcing their receipt in England,
have reached US at last. Our readers doubt
less have awaited them with as much
impotence as we have felt in
regard to them, and they will be read
with avidity as the most important contri-
buttons to African exploration and discovery
which have yet been made. Neither Spoke
nor Baker-not even Livingstone, the most
persistent and successful of African travel
lers-has enriched geographical inquiry with
results at all equal in value to these nara
tives. Mr.. 'Stanleys letters are in themselves
the best commentary on his achievements
and upon the wisdom of the joint expedition
of which he is the chief His style is simple
and straightforward and he writes as vigor-
ously for the English and American public
as he battles with the naked savages Of Equa-
torial Africa. 1t is impossible TO present
both of these letters in this issue Of the
HERALD; but the communication which we
print this morning will serve as the best
introduction to the one that is 70 fol-
low, exhibiting as it does, the pain
ton to our knowledge was achieved.
Already famed for his patience and
perseverance,, his skill and success
as the finder Of Livingstone these letters
will add largely to his reputation and
give to the commander Of our expedition
the highest place among the great men
who have penetrated the savage jungles
Of the Albert and Victoria Niyanza. His mar
ratiyes, though rich in both these re-
spects, are not mere stories either Of adven-
ture or discovery, but history Of manly
struggle and high endeavor fit to be
classed with the grandest epics which the
imagination can conceive.
The letter which we print this morning is
sombre with suffering and sorrow 1t con-
tains scarcely line which does not show a
weary hand and an aching heart. But it will
be perceived as a noble attribute Of Mr..
SANKEY'S story that it exhibits neither des-
pondency nor exultation. His misfortunes
and the suffering and death he was com
PEELED to witness seem to have nerved him
for the trials which are to come and to
have inspired him for his work. Setting out
upon his expedition from Zanzibar with over
800 followers, 154 died from fever dysentery,
hunger and battle before the real purpose Of
his explorations had begun. Two Of his Euro
pean onpanions-Frederick Barker and Ed
ward Pocock-died of the fever while on
the march, the one during his absence from
the main body Of his force and the other al
most without premonition or forewarning.
The death Of these young men, in an IN
known land and with the savage war-cry Of
the African natives sounding in their ears
must have been blow the severity Of which
it is impossible to appreciate at this distance
from the scene and with our inadequate con-
ceptions Of the surrounding and the situation.
King Arthur expiring in the arms of the last
OF his knights, the bold Sir Bedivere, was not
filter theme for the laureate's muse than
would be the story Of these two young lives
sacrificed to science and duty in the jungles
Of Equatorial Africa. In his letters to the
parents Of his deceased companions, which
we also print this morning Mr.. Stanley
bears ample and sorrowful testimony
to their heroic and manly qualities; and in
not forgetting to console the living while 50
far away with the dead, at moment, too,
when he was wearied with marching, sur
rounded by dangers from which most men
would shrink and almost overcome with
grief, he has done himself infinite credit
both for his humanity and his forgetfulness
Of self in ministering to the sorrows Of others.
A strong purpose as well as o stout heart and
~ 111ra all
the struggles and suferings and disappoint-
ments this letter reveals and the fact that
Mr. Stanley has withstood every foe SO long
has dared and overcome every danger and
has crowned even the beginning Of his
work with the most important geographical
discovery Of the age, gives US hope not alone
that his greatest trials and difficulties are
past, but that he will be able to meet and
overcome every new danger, and complete
his mission BY the achievement of still more
brilliant triumphs.
Apart from hesombre elements Mr. Stan
ley's story, there is something exceedingly
picturesque and dramatic in his experiences.
His rapid march from the sea to the
Niyanza was in itself q drama more
striking in outline and richer in color
than anything either literature or the
stage has yet had from the imagination Of
Jules Verne. His three days fighting with
the treacherous and ayaricious Watura was
rs splendid a battlepiece Is any found in the
pages Of history. It was, as it were, one man
\ contending almost unaidod and alone with the
savage tribes Of whole continent and it
will Re observed that his victory was as COM
plete as his courage was unbounded. Sher-
mans march to the sea or Sheridan's ride
down the valley Of Virginia was not
more destructive than SANKEY'S torch
among the villages Of Ituru. A
single arm dared and punished q
| cnntinent and valnr instifod the exnedition