ortive and fond of a
joke, and Mrs. Livingstone entered into his humor. Mrs.
Livingstone was terribly anxious about her husband when he
was in Africa, but before others she concealed her emotion.
In society both were reserved and quiet. Neither of them
cared for grandeur; it was a great trial to Dr. Livingstone
to go to a grand dinner. Yet in his quiet way he would
exercise an influence at the dinner-table. He told us that
once at a dinner at Lord ----'s, every one was running down
London tradesmen. Dr. Livingstone quietly remarked that
though he was a stranger in London, he knew one tradesman of
whose honesty he was thoroughly assured; and if there was one
such in his little circle, surely there must be many more.

"He used to rise early: about seven he had a cup of tea or
coffee, and then he set to work with his Writing. He had not
the appearance of a very strong man."

In spite of his literary work, the stream of public honors and public
engagements began to flow very strongly. The Prince Consort granted him
an interview, soon after his arrival, in presence of some of the younger
members of the Royal Family. In March it was agreed to present him with
the freedom of the City of London, in a box of the value of fifty
guineas, and in May the presentation took place. Most of his public
honors, however, were reserved till the autumn.

The _Missionary Travels_ was published in November, 1857, and the
success of the book was quite remarkable. Writing to Mr. Maclear, 10th
November, 1857, he says, after an apology for delay:

"You must ascribe my culpable silence to 'aberration.' I am
out of my orbit, rather, and you must have patience till I
come in again. The book is out to-day, and I am going to
Captain Washington to see about copies to yourself, the
Governor, the Bishop, Fairbairn, Thompson, Rutherfoord, and
Saul Solomon[51]. Ten thousand were taken by the London trade
alone. Thirteen thousand eight hundred have been ordered from
an edition of twelve thousand, so the printers are again at
work to supply the demand. Sir Roderick gave it a glowing
character last night at the Royal Geographical Society, and
the _Athenaeum_ has come out strongly on the same side. This
is considered a successful launch for a guinea book."

[Footnote 51: Livingstone was quite lavish with presentation copie