90 
till 6 p.m., when the bell rings. That, in effect, means working from 
dawn to dark, as it is soon dark after 6 p.m. 
We have to keep much the same hours, but having a little different 
arrangement for meals ; thus, after turning out the boys, or before, if we 
prefer it, there is early tea. Breakfast at 10, lunch at 2, and dinner 
at 6.30. So far I like the life very well. Of course there is always 
the contingency of ds to guard against. I had my first attack en 
= but it was soon over, and in two days I was out in the plantation 
The worst time of the year is now approaching, the dry 
* * 
Limes, the fruit of Citrus асїйа are largely used for making lime 
drinks, which are both xi and refreshing. I must close up my 
letter within the compass of this sheet, or I shall exceed the half oz. 
‚ which I must ask y to pay this time. I ho ope to alter this 
"s of things when I send again. We have no stamps here. You wi 
ee I have written to both of you, S n save кн especially as 
yon live together. Please remember o K and show him 
this letter. 
H. E. BARTLETT. 
LETTER from H. E. BARTLETT. 
c/o Royal Niger Company, 
Akassa, West Coast of Africa, 
My DEAR —-. March 16, 1890. 
I must thank you very heartily for your interesting letter with 
its news of Kew and Kewites. Oh! the palmy days at Kew as you are 
so fond of remarking. 
I was very much ‘eratified pes met by the invitation to write 
paper for the Kew Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Society, and should 
like to have done so, but for ditus Gotten reasons could not. 
Firstly. I did not get your letter until nearly February, thus not 
leaving time. 
Secondly. 1 was in a very precarious state of health at that time and 
had been for two months. I did not lay up at x y superintended all 
my little operations and works all the time, yet I had a terrible struggle 
with the € I kept up a stout heart and pulled through, but was 
near going un 
Third. ly. rece more particularly I do not know to what extent I might 
compromise myself by writing home any account of the territories or 
Company’s doings. My agreement talks glibly of heavy fines, as you 
W 
1,000 aeres of land which has to be all >< ese up - pidan: The 
name of the plantation is the N'Kisi Creek Plan so na 
the N'Kisi River which runs с it. I have nal 100 men at work 
on the estate at present. urers from Lagos, men very ignorant, 
who have to be shown eve сейде. I am living on the plantation in 
my own house built by myself; that is, by my men under my directions. 
The house has two rooms, and verandah running all round. The walls 
are of mud, the floor ditto, and the roof of — leaves (Raphia wem seua 
prepared for that purpose. The rafters are of mangrove wood. 
back, but separate from the enr isthe sioe nem. bath room, fier 
