SOCIAL CONDITION OF AFRICA. 233 



accommodations are equally scanty. Except the state- 

 chairs or thrones of the great monarchs, ascended only on 

 very solemn occasions, there is not throughout native Africa 

 a seat to sit upon. The people squat on the ground in cir- 

 cles ; and if the chief can place beneath him the skin of a 

 lion or leopard, he is at the height of his pomp. For a 

 table there is at best a wooden board, whereon is neither 

 plate, knife, fork, nor spoon ; the fingers being supposed 

 fiilly adequate to the performance of every function. If 

 it be necessary to separate into parts a large joint, or 

 even a sheep roasted whole, the dagger or sword of the 

 warrior is drawn forth, and very speedily accomplishes the 

 object. 



The intellectual character of the natives of this conti- 

 nent presents a peculiar and remarkable deficiency. If we 

 except the Ethiopic language, which is seemingly of Arabic 

 origin, and the unknown characters, probably Phoenician, 

 inscribed by the Tuaricks on their dark rocks, there is not a 

 tincture of letters or of writing among all the aboriginal tribes 

 of Africa. There is not a hieroglyphic or a symbol, — no- 

 thing corresponding to the painted stories of Mexico, or the 

 knotted quipos of Peru. Oral communication forms the 

 only channels by which thought can be transmitted from 

 one country and one age to another. The lessons of time, 

 the experience of ages, do not exist for the nations of this 

 vast continent. 



Notwithstanding so great a deficiency, the African must 

 not be imagined as sunk in entire mental apathy. The en- 

 terprise of a perilous and changeful life developes energies 

 which slumber amid the general body of the people in a 

 civilized society. Their great public meetings and palavers 

 exhibit a fluent and natural oratory, accompanied often 

 with much good sense and shrewdness. Above all, the pas- 

 sion for poetry is nearly universal. As soon as the evening 

 breeze begins to blow, the song resounds throughout all 

 Africa, — it cheers the despondency of the wanderer through 

 the desert, — it enlivens the social meeting, — it inspires the 

 dance, — and even the lamentations of the mourner are 

 poured forth in measured accents. Their poetry does not con- 

 sist in studied and regular pieces, such as, after previous study, 

 are recited in our schools and theatres ; they are extempo- 

 rary and spontaneous effusions, in which the speaker gives 

 U2 



