PREFACE.
ÎÎ8F0RE these volumes pass irrevocably out of the Author's hands, I take
this, the last, opportunity of addressing my readers. In the first place, I have
to express my most humble thanks to Divine Providence for the gracious
protection vouchsafed to myself and my surviving followers during our late
perilous labours in Africa.
In the second place, I have to convey to many friends my thanks for their
welcome services and graceful congratulations, notably to Messrs. Motta
Viega and J. W. Harrison, the gentlemen of Boma who, by their timely sup
plies of food, electrified the Expedition into new life ; to the sympathizing
society of Loanda, who did their best to spoil us with fiattering kindness ; to
the kindly community of the Cape of Good Hope, who so royally entertained
the homeward-bound strangers ; to the directorates of the B. I. S. N. and the
P. and 0. Comijanies, and especially to Mr. W. Mackinnon of the former, and
Mr. H. Bayley and Captain Thomas H. Black of the latter, for their generous
assistance both on my setting out and on my returning ; to the British
Admiralty, and, personally, to Captain Purvis, senior officer on the West
Coast Station, for placing at my disposal H.M.S. Induttry^ and to Commodore
Sullivan, for continuing the great favour from the Cape to Zanzibar ; to the
officers and sailors of H.M.S. Industry, for the great patience and kindness
which they showed to the wearied Africans ; and to my friends at Zanzibar,
especially to Mr. A. Sparhawk, for their kindly welcome and cordial help.
In the next place, to the illustrious individuals and Societies who have inti
Baated to me their appreciation of the services I have been enabled to render
to Science, I have to convey the very respectful expression of my sense of the
honours thus conferred upon me—to his Majesty King Humbert of Italy, for
the portrait of himself, enriched with the splendid compliment of his personal
approbation of my services,* which with the gold medal received from his
^yal father. King Victor Emanuel, will for ever be treasured with pride—to
•R.H. the Prince of Wales, for the distinguished honour shown me by his
^rronal recognition of my work—to H.H. the Khedive of Egypt, for the high
istinction of the Grand Commandership of the Order of the Mcdjidie, with
The portrait has been graciously subscribed—
“ Air intrepido viaggiator«
** Enrico Stanley
“ UMBERTO Ra."
