ZANZIBAR 



tecture is distinctly primitive. The best feature of 

 these Arab mansions is the heavy wooden door, 

 with carving above and an inside shelf, being 

 iron-work to look through, with large brass knobs 

 let into the door itself. 



The living rooms are on the first floor, and bed- 

 rooms above, as a rule ; kitchens and boys find 

 places on the ground floor, or offices in the large 

 houses of Government officials. When there is, as 

 is usual, a suitable roof, it is much used, often be- 

 ing covered in with corrugated iron for protection 

 against sun and rain. Europeans make their roofs 

 very pretty with flowers and ferns. 



Few people have gardens, as they encourage 

 mosquitoes. The lovely hibiscus grows well, but 

 dies by six o'clock the same day it is cut ; roses are 

 poor, but very sweet smelling, and flowering acacias 

 abound. 



In speaking of Zanzibar, Sir Charles Elliot says 

 in his book on British East Africa : " Zanzibar is the 

 richest and most beautiful spot in tropical East 

 Africa. In few j)arts of the world will the traveller 

 who stays one day or even two, carry away such 

 pleasant impressions of beautiful landscapes ; but 

 whether it is advisable to spend more than two days 

 is doubtful, for the climate is by no means healthy." 



With regard to the first part of the above, I 

 decidedly disagree, for I consider the high- 

 lands of British East Africa far more beautiful ; 



215 



