274 In the Heart of Africa 



and by the Commandant at Matadi, and shown to our quarters, 

 enjoying some very pretty views of the town and harbour on the 

 way. Matadi is a place of considerable importance, as it is 

 virtually the seaport town for the whole of the Congo State. 

 Ocean-going steamers are able to navigate the stream up to 

 this point. Numerous Government and private buildings reach 

 from the harbour to fairly high up on the hills. All the build- 

 ings are constructed of iron and corrugated iron, and conse- 

 quently lacked the cheerful appearance of the stations we had 

 been accustomed to meet on the Upper Congo. The town does 

 not bear a very good reputation on account of the great heat 

 which prevails, the mountains around shutting out all fresh 

 breezes. The place seemed better than its repute to us, probably 

 because we had grown accustomed to high temperatures. Two 

 vessels were lying in the harbour — the Albertville, a 4,000-ton 

 steamer belonging to the Compagnie Beige Maritime du Congo, 

 which plies every week between Antwerp and Matadi, and the 

 Governor-General's yacht Hirondelle^ which was to carry us to 

 Boma next day. During our rest at Vice-Consul Schmidt's 

 hospitable house we learned that within a few days' time we 

 should be able to leave Boma by the English steamer Mandingo, 

 of the Elder Dempster line, which runs to the Cameroons. 



Next morning the smart little Hirondelle took us to Boma 

 in two and a half hours. The Governor, M. Fuchs, was un- 

 fortunately confined to his room by indisposition, but he had 

 asked his secretary and the C onnnandant de force fuhlique 

 kindly to meet us at the landing jetty. We forgathered later 

 at the Governor's residence. He has lived for fifteen years on 

 the Congo, and, having traversed the whole territory through 

 and through in the course of years, has become one of the 

 foremost living authorities on the subject. In consequence 

 of his excellent personal qualities, his courtesy, kindness, 

 and great experience, he is held in very high esteem, and 

 we shall not soon forget the pleasant hours we passed in his 

 house. 



Boma lies in the midst of green gardens and shady avenues. 



