10 Introduction. | Jan. 
of his"ways; and if these numerous visits have brought about no 
other improvement in the untutored mind of the sable despot, they 
have at least imparted to it diplomatic powers which would reflect 
eredit upon any European autocrat. It is quite amusing to ob- 
serve how he “cuts his cloth according to his pattern,” flattering 
one traveller and slighting another, as the force of circumstances 
may direct. 
Amidst the conflicting accounts received from Wilmot, Burton, 
Craft, and Gerard,* it is difficult to form a correct estimate of his cha- 
racter, but a comparison of the narratives of all these travellers, with 
that of Speke and Grant concerning the kings on the route taken by 
them, leaves but little doubt that, in common with that of most of 
these sable monarchs, his every-day rule is characterized by cruelty, 
superstition, avarice, and almost every conceivable form of licen- 
tiousness and oppression. 
Why, then, are our statesmen so delicate in their interference or 
non-interference in the internal affairs of Dahomey? Oude was 
swallowed at a single mouthful, as an inconvenient neighbour in 
India; and Japan and China were pierced to the very centre to com- 
pel their peoples to listen to the voice of Kuropean civilization 
and open their ports to western trade. Why are our French allies 
so characteristically polite towards the slave-dealing King of Daho- 
mey, whilst the rulers of Mexico are made to flee before their vic- 
torious arms, to avenge the injured honour of France, and to compel 
redress for the private grievances of her subjects? The reply is a 
simple one, and is furnished to us by our neighbours themselves-—“ Le 
jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle.” 
Ministers may bestow a few hundreds of pounds upon such a cause, 
and may compensate for the small expenditure of funds by a lavish 
supply of letters of introduction; but is it worth while, they ask 
themselves, to make war for an idea—the suppression of the slave- 
trade—when the material result will be an improved supply of ivory 
or palm oil, or a small addition to our importation of cotton wool ? 
Were the supply of tea (or the demand for opium) likely to be 
affected, or if some great semi-civilized nation were to be coerced into 
buying cotton-cloths, then no sacrifice of men or money would be con- 
sidered too great until the desired end was attained; but, in the mean- 
while, Zoological and Geographical Societies and private individuals 
are compelled to support enterprising adventurers in their efforts to 
reclaim the waste places of the earth, whilst statesmen hold aloof 
until the bold pioneer has broken a gap in the hedge, perhaps at the 
* From whom an interesting communication will be found in the present 
number, 
