The charred remains of 8 ALS and an autographed copy of Livingstone's Analysis of the language of the Bechuanas, (London, Clowes, 1858) rescued from the library fire in 1931.

Names of correspondents include W. Elwin, E. Grimstone, W. von Haidinger, R. Moffat, B. Pyne and J.R. Stebbing.

Subjects include tribal rivalry between Griquas and Barolong, the Boer destruction of his books and medicines, the Portuguese and slavery, description of his explorations of Lower Zambesi and Shire Rivers and English settlement in Africa.

Acknowledges implements and comments on his lack of building still: apologises for not having sent Moffat's 'celestial map' sooner and refers to tribal disputes between Griquas and Baralong.

Sympathises in Mrs Pyne's illness: comments on hunting, referring to 'Cumning' and 'Oswell': relates how the Boers assaulted the Makwains, tore his books and smashed his medicines and would have injured him too had he been there, as they blame him for teaching natives to kill Boers.

Refuses invitation due to pressure on his time and wishes Institution every success.

Thanks him for letter, which is valuable because the Portuguese quote him as saying that disaster came from taking Livingstone's advice and not from slavery.

Thanks him for honour of being made a corresponding member of the Society: described his exploration of the lower parts of River Zambesi: describes crops grown by tribes living on the Shire and tribal dress: region is unhealthy "we have tried quinine as a preventative but I question if it is so - the only good to see in taking it regularly is when a person does take fever" but says Europeans can live in tropical regions if they take ordinary care.

I take a geologist and artist in order to send back to my countrymen full information respecting the vegetable and mineral resources of the land and this with (intent) to benefit both Africa and England... sometimes my mind ventures to indulge in the idea of an English colony yet springing up in some districts in which my feet have trod and that would be a glorious thing for the progress of Africa - the English bad as they are still are the best portion of humanity.

Refers to members of the expedition and their salaries and that they take on iron house with them to impress the natives.

There is an inscription in a different hand at the top of the first page. Whitwell Elwin ? Rectory, Norfolk (late Editor 'Quarterly Review') 22/8/1971.

JCN Humphreys Collection of Africans.

I believe I have specimens of a human parasite generally unknown... and also Tesetze".