LIVINGSTONE, David (1813-1873). African missionary & explorer.
Autograph Letter Signed to [Arthur] Mills, 4 pages 8vo on black-edged paper (slight remains of hinge not affecting the text), 48 Euston Square, 28 July 1865. Explaining that it would not now be possible to call on Mrs Mills to thank her in person for a gift and that he would have to go into the country again. He also commiserates with Mill on his failure to be re-elected to Parliament.

'... My departure has been delayed till the 12th instead of today and yet as I have to return again to the country both to Newstead & Cambridge I fear that I must say good bye on paper - and I take the same means of thanking Mrs Mills very cordially for her very kind present. She must not please imagine from my silence that I did not appreciate her favour. If sent here I shall prize it very highly & remember her kindness as I use it in the African forests. ...'

Arthur Mills (1816-1898) was member of parliament for Taunton 1852-53 and 1857-65, and Exeter 1873-80, and a writer on colonial affairs. Four letters from Livingstone to Mills are noticed by Clendennen and Cunningham (Calendar) including the present letter (No 1779), but the full text appears to be unpublished. Livingstone was now reaching the end of his final visit to England and about to embark on his last disastrous expedition to discover the source of the Nile from which his body was eventually brought back for burial in Westminster Abbey. The nature of Mrs Mills' gift to him is unknown.
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