i82 THE MFUMBIRO VOLCANOES 



extent out of mischief, and it accounts for a good 

 deal of useful work. 



There is another aspect of women in these Congo 

 ports, which is not quite so satisfactory. Almost 

 every European official supports a black mistress. 

 The right or wrong of it is a question that need 

 not be discussed here, but the conspicuous position 

 which the women occupy is quite inexcusable. It 

 is not an uncommon thing to see a group of these 

 women walking about a post shrieking and laughing, 

 and carrying on bantering conversations with the 

 Europeans whose houses they pass; or, very likely, 

 the Europeans will come out and joke with them 

 coram popido. The obvious rejoinder is that the 

 same thing goes on in British African colonies, 

 but that the perfidious and hypocritical Englishman 

 hides his doings under a cloak of smug respectability. 

 Even supposing that it is so, though I do not admit 

 it, there can hardly be two opinions as to which 

 is the better state of things. In dealing with any 

 coloured race, and particularly with the black races 

 of Central Africa, the European must begin by 

 winning their respect before he can hope to make 

 any progress with their improvement. It is im- 

 possible that natives, when they see women of their 

 own race being treated openly and wantonly with 

 familiarity, should feel any great degree of respect for 

 their European masters, and when that is the case, 

 discipline and obedience to authority are quickly lost. 



Amongst the officials of the State are represen- 



