The great African traveller, the search for, and relief of whom this hook describes, was born near Glasgow, March 19th, 1813. At the very early age of ten he was employed in a factory as a "piecer," by which he earned sufficient money to contribute his mite towards the support of his family. A portion of his wages he was permitted to devote to the purchase of books, whereby he laid the foundation of a useful and sound knowledge. At sixteen he was pretty well acquainted with the writings of classic authors. Horace and Virgil were favourites, but his readings were not limited to this branch of education, they ranged over every field of literature save fiction. Books of travels were especially delightful to him; scientific works, books on natural history, medicine, and theology served not only to lighten tedious hours at the spinning jenny, but to fit him for the career for which he was destined, and which he has since pursued with honour to himself and credit to the family from which he sprung.