CHAPTER XVII. 



SOME NATIVE TRAITS. 



A PERSON cannot live in any wild country without being closely associated with 

 the inhabitants and without taking an interest in their modes of life. 



Many men who have lived for some years in the wilder parts of Africa 

 have admitted that they hardly understood the native character better at the end of 

 their experiences than they did at the beginning. 



The natives of this part of Africa are just as peculiar in this respect as those of 

 any other part, and it is impossible to know whether their actions are the outcome of 

 logical reasoning, or whether they act from the impulse of the moment. I am 

 strongly inclined to believe that the latter is the case, for in all their actions they are 

 so like an animal that I question whether they have a brain capable of sensible 

 reasoning. The difference between man and an animal is generally understood to 

 be, that man builds decent habitations, looks ahead, providing for the morrow as well 

 as for to-day, and man is supposed to go on improving his mind, as well as his 

 surroundings ; but this is not the case with the natives of this country, for they are in 

 practically the same condition now as they were at the beginning. 



Most races that have risen have themselves to thank for the fact, for the power 

 was in them to rise ; but the natives do not seem to have any ambition to better 

 themselves. 



Missionaries are doing their best to educate them by teaching them the English 

 language and the Christian religion, but it is questionable whether they do them much 

 good, for to teach a native to sing hymns is much on a par with teaching a parrot to 

 talk. Natives in their own lives are very fond of singing or making a noise, and most 

 of the hymns, having catchy airs, appeal to them; but it is very doubtful whether they 

 can be made to understand the true meaning of religion. By all means teach them 

 to work with their hands and brains, for it has been proved that the most energetic 

 nations are those that lead the world at the present day. 



A mission native is not liked for various reasons, the main one being that he can 

 seldom be trusted, as his religious training, instead of making him better morally, 

 seems to increase his natural sly cunning and dishonesty. 



I do not say that there are not exceptions, but I am sorry to say they are few 

 and far between. .. 



o 



