Europeans gmes are invited to a solemn palaver, at which both
in Africa. _ . . . . . . n r- whites and natives are initiated into the groove ot
social relationship.
The instructions, few and simple, to him a re : “ See
now, sir, this is your domain, legitimately acquired. It
has become, by the power invested in you as chief, your
estate, over which you have absolute control, subject to
none other than myself. I must leave you as master
and sole arbiter in all questions. Let justice attend
your dealings; he kind to your people, for remember
you are their father and their mother. Show
me on my return that a fit choice was made when I
selected you. By industry you may make your place
a model to be followed by others less experienced than
yourself; by due care you may make it the happiest
place in Africa. You have sufficient native moneys,
and abundant provisions. On this paper you will see
the plan which I wish you to follow.”
I am absent ten months from the scene, hut I find on
my return that the condition of the place is far worse
than when I departed. The warm promises made by
him created in me an ideal paradise; hut instead of my
bright, and, alas! too florid an ideal, I see the wild
grass has overrun our native village, so that it is
scarcely visible. Not one house has been added to those
structures we had raised for him. The station is also
in a state of siege; a palisaded circle shows that once
an alarm had bestirred him to spasmodic action ; famine
beleaguers the garrison; four days searching far and
wide only brings enough to last a few hours; the stores
are empty; there are only enough brass rods to last
three days. The natives leave him and. his station so
severely alone that he is in actual risk of starvation.
What a great contrast it is altogether to that beautiful
ideal of mine! How very reverse to those glowing
promises, letters, and reports !
“ Why, how is this ? Good heavens, this is a very
ruin of a place ! ” I exclaim. “ See the village—the
road, the street, the station, is buried in grass ! ”
Oh, this is a too harsh vibration on the fine-fibred
susceptibilities! The immaculate and stiff-starched
gentleman cannot, and will not, stand this. He writes :
“ I have the honour to send you my resignation
which, of course, is accepted, for he is too high-
stomached to accept a position where he will be less
harmful, and which I would willingly give him, so that
he would be powerless for harm.
A change of masters brought about a happy result.
The station soon began to be worthy of its importance.
There are now large flocks of sheep and goats browsing
around it; scores of fowls and ducks in the fowl-yard.
The table menu is as good as that which might he
obtained at any second-class hotel in Europe. A grand
market is held every morning in the plaza of the station,
where I can see the little ebon children play at my
door. From the assembly of native women, 500 persons
could purchase fresh native bread every twenty-four
hours. The houses devoted to the accommodation of
the officers are 630 feet of aggregate length ; the garden
is about 200 acres in extent, where there are 3000