204 MEMORIES OP MY LIFE
by the side of the broad gravel walk leading northwards from the Albert Memorial. There was much difficulty in selecting an inscription' which should not arouse criticism, for there were still those who maintained with Burton that Speke had not discovered the true source of the Nile. Lord Houghton solved the difficulty by simplifying the proposed legend to "Victoria Nyanza and the Nile," which words the obelisk now bears.
Speke, Burton, Grant, Baker, Livingstone, and Stanley are all gone ; I wish it could be arranged to make a joint and interesting memorial-of our great African explorers in the plot where Speke's obelisk now stands in neglected solitariness. It would iot require more than two or three extra yards on either side, parallel to the Grand Walk, and the same in depth, to give room for this, and to allow of the growth of a few hardy plants suggestive of tropical vegetation, with pathways between them. England has done so very much for African geography that she ought to bring the fact home to the national conscience. When Burton died, and again when Stanley died, I made the suggestion that a memorial should be erected by the side of that of Speke, or that appropriate inscriptions should be added, but I heard on good authority that it would be most distasteful to the representatives of both Speke and Grant to do so. Many long years have since passed, and it may be hoped that hard feelings will soften in time and permit what many like myself would consider a laudable and pious act.
I have mentioned the names of Livingstone and Stanley, and here again I have something to say.
