xviii INTRODUCTION. 



have been anxious to set at rest the surmises on many moot 

 points, but to have done so his duties would have had to be 

 fulfilled in a half-hearted manner; and so, forgetful of self, and 

 not seeking the applause of the world, he has been content to 

 go quietly on his way, performing his official work conscien- 

 tiously and well, only devoting to scientific pursuits the hours 

 of darkness and the necessary delays which occurred during 

 his frequent official journeys. For this I think he deserves 

 the greater honour, in that, in spite of such difficulties, he has 

 achieved an amount of work which would have been a credit 

 to a man unhampered by official cares. 



Another striking trait of his character which called forth 

 my admiration was his unselfishness. His whole heart seemed 

 to be centred in the welfare of his people and the advance- 

 ment of science, and no idea of fame appeared to enter his 

 mind. His interest, too, in the work being done by others 

 seemed to be quite as keen as that he took in his own. This 

 characteristic is shown in his letters, by many references to 

 Dr. W v . Junker, of whom he speaks with great admiration, and 

 in whose intrepid labours and valuable work he took a deep 

 interest. 



It will be seen from these remarks, that Emin possesses 

 some of those high qualities which ennoble any life, and which 

 have enabled him to live his life and do his work alone and 

 unobserved, with a wonderful steadiness of purpose and with 

 remarkable success. 



Emin was ever ready to give advice when asked, although 

 he never obtruded his superior knowledge, and the modesty 

 with which he gave his opinions possessed in itself a charm. 

 I often consulted him with regard to the treatment of disease 

 in Africa, and in this connexion he gave me many a valuable 

 clinical lecture ; but his suggestions were always made with 

 the greatest regard for my feelings, and without any attempt 

 to overpower me with the extent of his knowledge and 

 experience. 



