LIBERIA. 259 



For some distance above its first rapids the St. Pauls River is 

 scarcely navigable for canoes; but in the little-knoAvn region north of 

 Dobli Zulu Island, it is said to be navigable for canoes up to its 

 junction with the Tuma, which is also stated to be an important 

 stream. 



Eastward of Monrovia, the Mesurado River or Creek reaches, as a 

 liavigable piece of water, to within a very short distance of the Junk 

 Creek, which is a branch of the Dukwia River; so that, except for a 

 little isthmus of sandy soil, Monrovia might be situated at the western 

 extremity of a long island. With developments that might come later 

 on, it would be very easy to cut a canal to join the Mesurado and the 

 Juuk rivers. This would then give access for vessels of light draft 

 to the Dukwia and Farmington rivers. These streams debouch at 

 a settlement of some importance named Marshall; but the bar at 

 Marshall (mouth of the river Junk) is extremely bad and dangerous. 

 As a matter of fact, with a very little expenditure of mont\y Monrovia 

 might be made a good port. 



The population of Monrovia, so far as Americo-Liljerians and for- 

 eigners are concerned, is about 2,500. It has a system of telephones 

 which connects it with the settlements on the St. Pauls River. This 

 has been set up and is well w^orked by a native Liberian. It is, per- 

 haps, hardly necessary to remind you that Monrovia was named 

 after the celebrated President of the United States, Monroe, wdio is 

 responsible for that doctrine which inhibits any Euro})ean nation 

 from further conquests in the New World. The capital of Liberia is 

 divided into two parts, the low and shoreward section being given 

 over to large settlements of Kru boys and indig^enous negroes, while 

 the upper part of the tow^n is inhabited by Americo-Liberians and 

 Euroi^ean consuls, traders, etc. This civilized part of the town is 

 composed of broad, grass-grown streets, and substantial, well-built, 

 comely looking houses, churches, offices, and public buildings. The 

 smart appearance of the houses, in fact, is in somewhat striking con- 

 trast to the neglected condition of the roads. These have never been 

 made, and are simply the unleveled rock of more or less flat sui'face. 

 Consequently at the present time they are absolutely unsuited to any 

 vehicle, though I have seen an enterprising Liberian negotiate them 

 with a bicy(;le. They are generallj^ covered with a very short, close 

 turf of thickly growing plants, which is kept in the condition 

 of turf by the constant nibbling of the pretty little cattle that 

 frequent the streets of jNIonrovia. A less agreeable feature are the 

 pigs, wdiich exist in great numbers and perform the office of scaven- 

 gers. The appearance of most of the houses is, as I have said, either 

 very striking or comely both in form and color, and this appearance 

 is enhanced by the beautiful clumps of trees and the gardens which 

 surround most of the houses. The Americo-Liberians seem to be 



