somewhat analogous to his own project of crushing it from Zanzibar.
The following unpublished letter gives an amusing account of the
circumstances under which he first met King Leopold:--

"HOTEL DE BELLE-VUE, BRUXELLES,
"_Tuesday, 2nd March 1880_.

"I arrived here yesterday at 6 P.M., and found my baggage had not
come on when I got to the hotel (having given orders about my
boxes which were to arrive to-day at 9 A.M.). I found I was
_detected_, and a huge card of His Majesty awaited me, inviting
to dinner at 6.30 P.M. It was then 6.20 P.M. I wrote my excuses,
telling the truth. Then I waited. It is now 9.30 A.M., and no
baggage. King has just sent to say he will receive me at 11 A.M.
I am obliged to say I cannot come if my baggage does not arrive.

"I picked up a small book here, the 'Souvenirs of Congress of
Vienna,' in 1814 and 1815. It is a sad account of the festivities
of that time. It shows how great people fought for invitations to
the various parties, and how like a bomb fell the news of
Napoleon's descent from Elba, and relates the end of some of the
great men. The English great man, Castlereagh, cut his throat
near Chislehurst; Alexander died mad, etc., etc. They are all in
their 6 feet by 2 feet 6 inches.... Horrors, it is now 10.20
A.M., and no baggage! King sent to say he will see me at 11 A.M.;
remember, too, I have to dress, shave, etc., etc. 10.30 A.M.--No
baggage!!! It is getting painful. His Majesty will be furious.
10.48 A.M.--No baggage! Indirectly Mackinnon (late Sir William)
is the sinner, for he evidently told the King I was coming.
Napoleon said, 'The smallest trifles produce the greatest
results.' 12.30 P.M.--Got enclosed note from palace, and went to
see the King--a very tall man with black beard. He was very
civil, and I stayed with him for one and a half hours. He is
quite at sea with his expedition (Congo), and I have to try and
get him out of it. I have to go there to-morrow at 11.30 A.M. My
baggage has come."

During his stay at Lausanne his health improved, and he lost the
numbed feeling in his arms which had strengthened the impression that
he suffered from _angina pectoris_. This apprehension, although
retained until a very short period before his final departure from
Engl