174 STATE OF THE INHABITANTS. 



stewed or made them into a broth. Roast or 

 baked meat we found heavy and indigestible, 

 and we invariably stewed or boiled everything. 

 Coffee was our only beverage, of which we par- 

 took in large quantities during the day. On the 

 whole, we had reason to be thankful that we had 

 always abundance of the necessaries, as well as 

 not a few of the luxuries of life ; and on compar- 

 ing our condition with that of Park and other 

 travellers in the interior of Africa, we had ample 

 reason to congratulate ourselves on having a 

 roof to shelter us, and a bed on which we could 

 repose. 



Since we had left Eboe, I had never any watch 

 kept at night, as I considered that we were 

 perfectly secure among these harmless and ami- 

 able people. I speak now of the character of 

 the lower and middle classes of them generally: 

 there are many exceptions to this character 

 among the chiefs ; but the lower classes are kind, 

 hospitable, and obliging. It is true they have 

 the faults and evil propensities of the negro, 

 being liars, cowards, and thieves : but they have 

 these qualities engrafted on a naturally good 

 disposition by a trade that would demoralise the 

 Scotch and make cowards of the English ; and 



