MEMORIAL TO DR. DAVID LIVINGSTONE.

Dr David Livingstone

IT has long been felt desirable, by the many admirers of Dr. Livingstone, that the spot on which the great traveller breathed his last should be permanently marked by a suitable memorial. When, on the discovery by Mr. Weatherley of the precarious condition of the

The Mpundu Tree Under Which David Livingstone's Heart Was Buried near Lake Bangweulu

tree which marked the locality, it was decided by the Royal Geographical Society to take steps to secure the section of the tree bearing the commemorative inscription for safe-keeping in this country, it was hoped that arrangements might also be made for the worthy commemoration of a spot to which, in the eyes of Englishmen, an almost sacred character attaches. At the same time a movement had been set on foot, and funds raised, among residents in Nyasaland and others, with the support of Sir H. M. Stanley, for the furtherance of a similar object, and it was found possible to concentrate the efforts of all interested on a single scheme by the formation of a joint committee, representing our Society and the other body of sympathizers. The labours of this committee have, we are glad to announce, led to a

Section of The Livingstone with the Inscription

satisfactory result all the arrangements having been made for carrying out the design.

It has been decided that the memorial shall take the form of an obelisk, 20 feet high, surmounted by a cross. In the absence of suitable stone in the region in question, the material chosen is the best concrete, which, it is thought, will be the most satisfactory from the point of view of durability. It will be taken out in 450 air-tight cylinders, each of 50 lbs. weight. Moulds, of oak with metal lining, have been prepared for the formation of the blocks, of which over 300 will be used. Tablets, in blackened bronze, will be embedded in the blocks as moulded.

Sketch of The Memorial To David Livingstone To Be Erected On The Site of The Tree

Two of these, placed on opposite sides of the monument, will bear the following inscription: "Erected by his Friends to the Memory of' Dr. David Livingstone, Missionary and Explorer. He died here, May 4, 1873."

On the other faces of the obelisk two more tablets will be placed, on which the following will appear
"This monument occupies the spot where formerly stood the tree, at the foot of which Livingstone's heart was buried by his faithful native followers. On the trunk was carved the following inscription: 'David Livingstone. Died May 4, 1873. Chuma, Souza, Mniasere, Uchopere.'"

The undertaking has met with the cordial support of the British South Africa Company, while its success may be considered assured through the co-operation of Mr. Alfred Sharpe, British Commissioner in Nyasaland, who has kindly made himself responsible for its execution. Mr. Robert Codrington, the company's representative in the Bangweulu region, has also shown himself active in furthering the necessary preparations. It will be remembered that to Mr. Codrington was due the securing of' the section of Livingstone's tree-a mission with which he was entrusted by Mr. Alfred Sharpe, who, at the request of the Council, kindly agreed to act as the Society's agent. The task has been accomplished with entire success. The section has now arrived in this country and is deposited in the house of the Royal Geographical Society. The thanks of the Society are due to the British South Africa Company, who, through their representative, Mr. Codrington, have most generously carried out the Society's wishes in having the section transported from Central Africa to England. It is only fair to state that Mr. Alf'red J. Brown, who designed the memorial, and has taken all the
trouble to obtain and pack the material and design the moulds, has given his services gratuitously.