Introduction 



should only be carried out to the degree of keeping 

 them in their proper sphere. 



I his lesson that we are learning in Atrica ai)plies 

 also at home, where we should learn to value the natural 

 beauties ot our home scenery, especially its own ni- 

 dk'idita/ity. It should be made illegal t(j carry on the 

 worship of the pheasant (a toothsome and a beautiful 

 bird, but not a true native) at the expense of the lives 

 of owls and stoats and weasels that are true British 

 subjects, and without which our landscapes lose part ot 

 their national character. The otter is cjuite as valuable 

 as the salmon ; the fox is not more worthy ot encourage- 

 ment than the wild swan. A nice bahmce must be struck ; 

 and our clergy must inveigh against the national sin 

 of scattering greasy paper over the loveliest nooks ot 

 English scenery. 



We have not yet reached the greasy-paper outrage 

 in the African wilderness ; but, as Herr .Schillings })()ints 

 out, the Atrican tauna is rapidly tlisapijearing betore 

 the uncontrolled attacks of man. Me is quite right to 

 lay stress on this important fict, that all the wrong-doing 

 does not rest with the white man. The Negro or the 

 Negroid, armed with the white man's weapons, is carrying- 

 on an even more senseless work ot de\astation. I he 

 present writer has witnessed in East Atrica troops ot 

 uncontrolled Somali adventurers, and .Svvahilis trom the 

 coast, led by Goanese, in\ading the wilder districts ot 

 East AtVica, and slaughtering be^ists bv hundreds and 

 even thousands tor their meat, horns, tusks, and, above 

 all, their hides. It is an irony which has entered into 



xvii 



