1 62 THE AFRICAN COAST DRINK TRAFFIC. 



of a vertical sun. Moreover rum, and other products 

 of the sugar cane, which are so extensively used in 

 Africa, and the West Indies, are perhaps the very 

 worst and most unwholesome form of spirits, for use 

 in these climates. The gin is mostly of Dutch manu- 

 facture and is largely imported by the Portuguese. 

 We may cite an instance in point, recently reported 

 from Delagoa Bay, where we are told, " a ship came 

 in with a cargo of 900 demijohns of Holland gin- 

 here satirically termed 'Missionaries' this precious 

 stuff being * 56 over proof strength' " * 



After being duly " mixed " for use, it seems this 

 consignment was intended for the benefit of the native 

 tribes to the northward of the British South African 

 possessions, where its " missionary " qualities will doubt- 

 less be duly appreciated. The native races here, as 

 everywhere, unfortunately seeming to possess a special 

 talent for picking up all the vices of the White man, 

 with but few, or none, of his virtues. Also it is to be 

 feared that many of the " White pioneers of Civilization " 

 are not always altogether favourable specimens of 

 European progress; their language and conduct at 

 times being such as would be deemed entirely out of 

 order at an evangelical meeting in Exeter Hall. 

 Under these circumstances it is not to be wondered 

 at that the efforts of missionary societies are not 

 always as successful as the public at home sometimes 

 seem to suppose. These considerations recall to our 

 memory the pungent remark of an old Guinea Coast 

 Captain, made in our hearing, during a discussion upon 

 these subjects, many years ago. Something happened 



* The Prisoner of Chiolane or with the Portuguese in S.E. Africa, 

 by Wallis Mackay, 1891, p. 33. 



