First footsteps in East Africa

Excerpt

I have ventured, my dear Lumsden, to address you in, and inscribe to you,
these pages.  Within your hospitable walls my project of African travel was
matured, in the fond hope of submitting, on return, to your friendly
criticism, the record of adventures in which you took so warm an interest. 
Dis aliter visum!  Still I would prove that my thoughts are with you, and
thus request you to accept with your wonted bonhommie this feeble token
of a sincere good will.