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2 
4 A JOURNEY UP THE RIVER CONGO. 
ora dish of little rock oysters, the European inhabitants 
live nearly exclusively on provisions sent out from 
England, and live well withal. It takes a stranger to the 
coast quite by surprise to see the excellence and variety of 
these preserves ; and except that one longs occasionally 
for a little fresh salad, the bill of fare presented by the 
ereat purveyors of tinned provisions is quite an appetising | 
one in Africa. On one of the evenings spent at Kinsembo, 
we had a dinner much as follows, the menu of which I 
append for the consolation of such of my readers as may 
be proceeding to the West Coast of Africa. 
Mock Turtle Soup. 
Salmon Cutlets. 
Lobster. 
| Curried Rabbit. | 
Roast Beef. is Boiled Mutton. 
(with preserved potatoes). 
| Game patty. 
Asparagus. 
Plum. Pudding. 
Peaches. Strawberries. 
Tea. 7 Biscuits. 
All these things, except the rice eaten with the curry, 
came out of tins, and the plum-pudding and asparagus 
were especially good. 
All merchants on the coast do not live thus; it is only 
among the English trading-houses that the employers 
feed their employés so well. On the other hand, it is with 
sorrow to be confessed that amongst the English traders | 
insobriety still lingers, although latterly this evil has been | 
successfully combated by the generous supply of good 
aérated drinks, and light German beer. In Africa alcohol 
is less needed than anywhere else, and itis good nourishing 
food that is required to restore the impoverished blood, not 
fiery, fever-giving drinks. The mental depression con- 
sequent on the enervating climate is more healthily 
dispersed by interesting and entertaining literature, 
