SOME NATIVE TRAITS. lOI 



The Matabele Rebellion proved that it was the educated and semi-educated 

 natives who were mainly responsible for the trouble, and when the rebellion broke out 

 nearly all the native police turned against us. The main body of the native police here 

 are armed with the '303 rifle, and I think it is a mistake to give them such weapons, 

 and teach them to use them, for when trouble does arise they will be the first to turn 

 against us. 



Their work consists of arresting an occasional murderer, guarding prisoners, and 

 bringing in natives who refuse to pay their hut-tax. 



If a rifle was necessary for any of these purposes they could be given one, 

 or more, but to arm a number of such men with modern rifles is hardly wise. Spears 

 would be quite good enough for the work they have to do. 



The man who has lived long in this country always prefers the raw native to the 

 half-educated article, for reasons that are apparent. 



The more educated a native gets, the more is he inclined to be familiar and 

 impudent. 



Not long ago a mission boy murdered his wife and child in a most brutal manner, 

 and among the murderer's effects were found a number of letters addressed to him by 

 a mission lady, in which she used most familiar expressions. Can one imagine 

 anything more absurd or indiscreet, for of course the native would show and read 

 these letters to his friends. I can picture the conversations, and how the creature 

 boasted that the lady was a great friend of his. I can also picture some of the 

 disgusting remarks that passed with reference to that white woman in particular, and 

 white women in general. 



If people only knew the workings of a native's mind, and the way he looks 

 at these things, there would be an end to all sentiment in our treatment of them. 



/ 





NATIVE GOURDS AND PILLOW. 



