ir unvarying readiness to render us every assistance
in their power; and to the warm-hearted and ever-obliging hydrographer to
the Admiralty, the late Admiral Washington, as a subordinate, but most
effective agent, our heartfelt gratitude is also due; and we must ever
thankfully acknowledge that our efficiency was mainly due to the kind
services of Admirals Sir Frederick Grey, Sir Baldwin Walker, and all the
naval officers serving under them on the East Coast. Nor must I omit to
record our obligations to Mr. Skead, R.N. The Luawe was carefully
sounded and surveyed by this officer, whose skilful and zealous labours,
both on that river, and afterwards on the Lower Zambesi, were deserving
of all praise.

In speaking of what has been done by the Expedition, it should always be
understood that Dr. Kirk, Mr. Charles Livingstone, Mr. R. Thornton, and
others composed it. In using the plural number they are meant, and I
wish to bear testimony to the untiring zeal, energy, courage, and
perseverance with which my companions laboured; undaunted by
difficulties, dangers, or hard fare. It is my firm belief that, were
their services required in any other capacity, they might be implicitly
relied on to perform their duty like men. The reason why Dr. Kirk's name
does not appear on the title-page of this narrative is, because it is
hoped that he may give an account of the botany and natural history of
the Expedition in a separate work from his own pen. He collected above
four thousand species of plants, specimens of most of the valuable woods,
of the different native manufactures, of the articles of food, and of the
different kinds of cotton from every spot we visited, and a great variety
of birds and insects; besides making meteorological observations, and
affording, as our instructions required, medical assistance to the
natives in every case where he could be of any use.

Charles Livingstone was also fully occupied in his duties in following
out the general objects of our mission, in encouraging the culture of
cotton, in making many magnetic and meteorological observations, in
photographing so long as the materials would serve, and in collecting a
large number of birds, insects, and other objects of interest. The
collections, being Government property, have been forwarded to the
British Museum, and to the Royal Botanic, Gardens at Kew; and should Dr.
Kirk undertake their description, three or four years will be required
for th