330 ETHNOLOGY 



until approaching manhood, and is responsible for 

 warding off all kinds of sickness and accident. 

 Through this string, a piece of calico about two 

 inches wide is passed in front, carried between the 

 thighs and brought over the string behind. Thus 

 the string and the calico form the child's sole 

 raiment, but the latter is not considered an absolute 

 essential until he reaches the age of five or six 

 years. Imagine him, then, O inky ones of the 

 preparatory school, whose days are clouded with 

 the first four conjugations, and the mysteries 

 surrounding the base of an isosceles triangle. Think 

 of him, a being, save in colour, like unto yourselves, 

 with never a school to dim the brightness of his 

 eye, nor the first hazy idea of this thing they call 

 education to suggest cribs furtively concealed 

 behind your text-book, or copy-books judiciously 

 disposed for the warding off of blows. 



The child of Africa plays at many games with 

 his companions ; he is also much addicted to 

 shooting with the bow, to setting remarkably 

 efficient traps for birds and small animals, to 

 sailing tiny boats and swimming, whilst the small 

 girls delight in solacing their as yet lonely state by 

 playing with large, hideous, wooden dolls, and 

 with grass and bead work often most skilfully 

 and tastefully executed. 



In the villages the small native boy is quite a 

 feature, and if you know enough of his language 

 to break down that awe which he feels for the 

 European, he will keep you entertained by the 

 hour. In this way you are enabled largely to enter 

 into that natural brightness of perception, and quick 



