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THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



race is ever irreverent — and, though his cranium rises 

 high in the region of firmness, his futility prevents his 

 being firm. The outlines of law are faintly traced upon 

 his heart. The authoritative standard of morality fixed 

 by a revelation is in him represented by a vague and 

 varying custom, derived traditionally from his ancestors; 

 he follows in their track for old-sake's sake. The ac- 

 cusing conscience is unknown to him. His only fear 

 after committing a treacherous murder is that of being 

 haunted by the angry ghost of the dead ; he robs as one 

 doing a good deed, and he begs as if it were his calling. 

 His depravity is of the grossest: intrigue fills up all 

 the moments not devoted to intoxication. 



The want of veneration produces a savage rudeness 

 in the East African. The body politic consists of two 

 great members, masters and slaves. Ignoring distinc- 

 tions of society, he treats all men, except his chief, as 

 his equals. He has no rules for visiting : if the door 

 be open, he enters a stranger's house uninvited; his 

 harsh, barking voice is ever the loudest ; he is never 

 happy except when hearing himself speak ; his address 

 is imperious, his demeanour is rough and peremptory, 

 and his look " sfacciato." He deposits his unwashed 

 person, in his greasy and tattered goat-skin or cloth, 

 upon rug or bedding, disdaining to stand for a moment, 

 and he always chooses the best place in the room. When 

 travelling he will push forward to secure the most com- 

 fortable hut : the chief of a caravan may sleep in rain or 

 dew, but, if he attempt to dislodge his porters, they lie 

 down with the settled purpose of mules — as the Arabs 

 say, they " have no shame." The curiosity of these 

 people, and the little ceremony with which they gratify 

 it, are at times most troublesome. A stranger must be 

 stared at ; total apathy is the only remedy : if the victim 



