show off their long, shaggy, goat-skin jackets, sometimes
upright, at other times bending and on their heels, like
the hornpipe-dancers of western countries.
It was a merry scene, but soon became tiresome; when
Bombay, by way of flattery, and wishing to see what the
queen’s wardrobe embraced, told her, Any woman, however
ugly, would assume a goodly appearance if prettily
dressed; upon which her gracious majesty immediately
rose, retired to her toilet-hut, and soon returned attired in
a common check cloth, an abrus tiara, a bead necklace, and
with a folding looking-glass, when she sat, as before, and
was handed a blown-glass cup of pomb^, with a cork floating
on the liquor, and a napkin mbiigu covering the top,
by a naked virgin. For her kind condescension in assuming
plain raiment, everybody, of course, n’yanzigged. Next
she ordered her slave girls to bring a large number of
sambo (anklets), and begged me to select the best, for she
liked me much. In vain I tried to refuse them : she had
given more than enough for a keepsake before, and I was
not hungry for property; still I had to choose some, or I
would give offence. She then gave me a basket of tobacco,
and a nest of hen eggs for her “ son’s ” breakfast. When
this was over, the Mukonddri, another dancing-tune, with
instruments something like clarionets, was ordered; but
it had scarcely been struck up, before a drenching rain,
with strong wind, set in and spoilt the music, though not
the playing — for none dared stop without an order; and
the queen, instead of taking pity, laughed most boisterously
over the exercise of her savage power as the unfortunate
musicians were nearly beaten down by the violence
of the weather.
When the rain ceased, her majesty retired a second time
to her toilet-hut, and changed her dress for a puce-coloured
wrapper, when I, ashamed of having robbed her of so
many sambo, asked her if she would allow me to present
her with a little English “wool” to hang up instead of
her mbiigii curtain on cold days like this. Of course she
could not decline, and a large double scarlet blanket was
placed before her. “ Oh, wonder of wonders ! ” exclaimed
all the spectators, holding their mouths in both hands
at a time—-such a “ pattern” had never been seen here
before. It stretched across the hut, was higher than the
men could reach—indeed it was a perfect marvel; and
the man must be a good one who brought such a treasure
as this to Uddu. “ And why not say Uganda ? ” I asked.
“ Because all this country is called Uddu. Uganda is personified
by Mtfea; and no one can say he has seen Uganda
until he has been presented to the king.”
As I had them all in a good humour now, I complained
I did not see enough of the Waganda—and as every one
dressed so remarkably well,, I could not discern the big
men from the small; could she not issue some order by
which they might call on me, as they did not dare do so
without instruction, and then I, in turn, would call on
them? Hearing this, she introduced me to her prime
minister, chancellor of exchequer, women-keepers, hangmen,
and cooks, as the first nobles in the land, that I
might recognise them again if I met them on the road.
All n’yanzigged for this great condescension, and said they
were delighted with their guest; then producing a strip
of common joho to compare it with my blanket, they asked
if I could recognise it. Of course, said I, it is made in
my country, of the same material, only of coarser quality,
and everything of the same sort is made in Uzungii.
Then, indeed, said the whole company, in one voice, we
do like you, and your cloth too—-but you most. I modestly
bowed my head, and said their friendship was my chief
desire.
This speech also created great hilarity; the queen and
councillors all became uproarious. The queen began to
sing, and the Councillors to join in chorus ; then all sang
and all drank, and drank and sang, till, in their heated