The Royal Geographical Society is about to despatch an ex-
pedition in search of Dr. Livingstone, who is believed by those who guide the Society to be somewhere to the Westward of Lake Tanganyika, suffering from sickness or want of provisions. The expedition will be commanded by Lieutenant L. Dawson, R.N., will be accompanied by Mr. Oswell Livingstone, a son of the traveller, and will consist of about fifty picked men. As Dr. Livingstone is her Majesty's Consul, and the public is subscribing liberally, and the expedition is certain to obtain much information, the Society thought they might ask for a supplementary grant from the Treasury. The Chancellor of the Exchequer refuses to give a penny, alleging that the direction of the expedition is too uncertain, and that there are " other means" through which Dr. Livingstone's safety may be reasonably hoped for. The " other means" alluded to are not defined, but most probably refer to Providential interposition, the only " means " known which cost nothing. We suppose the Government dreads a succession of expeditions, some of the members of this one being lost ; but as it will start without a Treasury grant, the refusal of all aid will increase the popular notion of the contempt entertained at the Treasury, for the graces of national life.
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