STUDY OF NATIVE rHlLOLOGV AND ETHNOLOG^. 1L)J 



of the people within its own part of the world and their psycho- 

 logy (as exhibited chiefly in their langnagesj. 



Something has been done from the ecclesiastical side to 

 overlook the linguistic progress, in the narrowest sense, of our 

 missionaries. This should have been done long ago, and it is 

 but the minimum still. Little indeed is done to aid the training, 

 and almost nothing is known of the scientihc side of Bantu 

 languages comparatively, in spite of the interminable talk of our 

 synods and conferences. What is wanted is study, and there- 

 fore specialists, not talk of the promiscuotisly interested — or 

 uninterested. But the scientists have little right to blame, for 

 they also have done nothing in the matter ( and it is also their 

 business), in spite of interminable talk in science congresses, 

 and even Parliament, about the necessity of research. 



I complain of us ecclesiastics more especially, because while 

 laymen think it only becoming to offer the homage of lip- 

 service to the need of research, the clergy is apt to regard these 

 interests as idiosyncracies of the few of tiieir number who have 

 any appreciation of the importance of them. They do not realise 

 that they are a necessary condition of eft'ective work with the 

 more primitive peoples. Even among civilised peoples closely 

 allied it must be so. How would a Frenchman fare who should 

 preach to English folk without a working knowledge of luiglish 

 customs, habits, or langtiage? Or how would an Englishman so 

 situated fare with Dutchmen? Little research, is needed here, 

 but with a psychology so remote as that of our natives, it is 

 otherwise. 



Of course, those who propose (so obvious yet, as it seems j 

 so strange a view, must expect neglect and some derision. In 

 my early days in De"\'onshire, the pioneer diggers in Kent's 

 cavern were considered mild lunatics; yet thev were the })ioneers 

 of modern English ethnology. Even Livingstone was asked 

 why he left the preaching of the Gospel and devoted himself to 

 exploration. He answered that the end of the geographical 

 problem was the beginning of the evangelistic opportunity. 



We need now an explorer of another kind, who shall re-read, 

 in the originals, the old Arabic, Portuguese, Dutch, and English 

 geographers and travellers, in the light of what is now known 

 from native sources.'' 



South Africa should have chairs of Bantu Philology and 

 Ethnology (dealing with folk-lore and customs, tribal history, 

 wandering of peoples, music, star-names, etc.), because she 

 alone can do justice to these subjects. What should we think 

 if India had done no research on Indian ethnology or pliilology. 

 or America on her failing red men, or (shall we say) South 

 Africa on her special botany or geology. But these sciences fill 

 pockets. So also would better understanding of the native, if 

 only men would see far enoi;gh, or Governments beyond the next 

 election. It might be said that these are more important, 



* I may illustrate from a pasi^age in Mas'udy, where the French trans- 

 lation makes him give wakliinc as the " Zeng "' name for chiefs. This i.s 

 doubtless a misreading ((/<;/ for fc. differing by a dot) for Swahili u\ifalmc. 



