MAGIC LANTERN EXCITEMENT. 147 



suine to omit their obeisance when a superior passes, but fall 

 instantly to one knee and maintain that posture until the great 

 one is gone. 



One beautiful trait of the Baloncla is their love for their 

 mothers. The more southern tribes are singularly indifferent to 

 those who give them birth ; these are not so. It was charming 

 in these wild savages, their tender remembrance, even when 

 burdened themselves with years, of "mamma's home." How 

 sad must be the lives of those who nurse this tender fondness, 

 when they are torn so cruelly away by the wicked hand of a 

 trade which merits their devoutest curses ! What more plain- 

 tive cry can find the ear of God than " O mother ! " whispered 

 sobbingly in the deep, degrading prison-house of bondage? 

 What more disastrous blight can rest on the life of man than a 

 mother's prayer for vengeance against him who robs her of her 

 child ? 



These people are poorly supplied with game, and their na- 

 tional diet of manioc has provoked the anathemas of many an 

 African traveller, for it is found all over the continent. They 

 are industrious, though, and intelligent. But while there arc 

 gods many and superstition- without measure, the people must 

 be watched, for with their fears the doubtful grace of thieving 

 is quite developed ; and while they are specimens of absolute 

 honesty if there are signs of a charm about, or if the blind eyes 

 of some rude deity guards the treasure, they are conscience clear 

 to take all they can find if they can dodge the medicines and 

 the deities. 



The magic lantern produced quite an excitement in Shinte's 

 town. The first picture exhibited was that of Abraham offering 

 his son. The picture, large as life and brought out vividly, 

 produced a great effect, and the story filled their untutored 

 minds with wonder and delight; but when at last the dagger 

 was seen moving toward Isaac, the women were wild with 

 fright and dashed away as if for life. Shinte himself was 

 charmed, and was deeply interested in examining the instrument. 



The greatest trial to which Dr. Livingstone was subjected in 

 this country was the incessant rain ; night after night the poor 

 little tent was beaten steadily by the great drops, and the brief 

 intervals during the days could not remove the dampness. But 



