Chinde to Blantyre 



scenery of the Shire Highlands through which we 

 passed. 



After leaving Chiromo, the line mounted gradu- 

 ally until we reached the watershed about five 

 o'clock at an altitude of four thousand feet. The 

 railway workshops are here, and we heard that a 

 sanatorium was also to be built. The line was still 

 owned by a private company, and had not then been 

 taken over by the Government. A short run of 

 about half-an-hour down hill brought us to Blantyre 

 about 5.30 P.M. 



We were met on arrival by a representative of 

 the African Lakes Company and taken to the 

 Company's private hotel in ''rickshaws" along a 

 road bordered by sisal hemp, handsome plants, 

 whose tall white flowers resemble those of the aloe. 

 We were glad of a rest and change of clothes, our 

 previous night having been such a disturbed one. 



From the balconies in front of our rooms we 

 obtained a good view of Blantyre, a pleasant spot 

 surrounded by hills and forests; its principal feature 

 is the handsome Presbyterian mission church, 

 designed by the Rev. Clement Scott and opened 

 in 1891.^ 



The climate ought to be a healthy one, the 

 altitude being about four thousand feet; but for 

 some reason or other the residents do not speak 

 too well of it, and the place is not entirely free from 

 mosquitoes. The station is divided into two parts, 

 the Government quarter and the Mandala or African 



^ See p. 291 for further information. 

 13 



