38 
MISSIONARY LIFE 
CHAPTER XIII. 
DISPOSITIONS— TASTE FOR MUSIC. 
I do not think the Africans are naturally ill- 
natured ; but on the contrary, they are remarkable 
for their good nature and pleasant manners to 
strangers. Indeed, one great obstacle in the way 
of their Christianization is the fact that they are 
not suflSiciently excitable. I hope I am not mis- 
understood. 
They are fond of every kind of music, and sing 
a great deal, whether at work or play. "When 
rowing me along the river and plying their oare 
with all their strength, they would sing at least 
half of the time, unless they had a particular cause 
for not doing so. 
When our boatmen or workmen omitted sing- 
ing, we took it for granted that they were vexed 
or sick. There as here, people seldom sing when 
in a bad humor. The common way with boat- 
men is for one to lead the singing, making the 
music as he proceeds, all but the chorus, in which? 
