Geographical Notes

Abstract

THE death of Mr. W. Cotton Oswell on May Ist, at the age of 75, removed a famous African traveller and hunter whose name had almost ceased to be remembered by the general public. In his early life Mr. Oswell spent five years in South Africa hunting and exploring. His adventures were of the most thrilling kind, and the trophies he preserved in his house at Groombridge form a unique collection. He was associated with Livingstone in his earlier travels, and charged himself with the care of the waggons and the provision of food, while his companion planned the route and made scientific observations. In this way Mr. Oswell was with Livingstone at the discovery of Lake Ngami. Subsequently Mr. Oswell travelled and made collections in South America and elsewhere, but his extreme modesty prevented him from thrusting himself before the public, and he wrote nothing. His geniality in private life was as remarkable a feature of his character as his shrinking from all public appearances.