of Edinburgh , Session 1885 — 86 . 741 
was shrewd and intelligent ; he could read and write Arabic, and 
could speak several native languages. He had a splendid memory, 
and enjoyed a good argument very keenly. If he could only get 
Protestants, Catholics, and Arabs to join in a discussion before him 
he was in his element; and though apparently siding with one or 
other, who might happen to be at the time in his especial favour, he 
took good care to maintain his own ground, and I do not believe 
that he ever really gave up the least bit of his belief in his old 
Pagan ideas. While too shrewd and intelligent to believe in the 
grosser superstitions which find credit among his people, he was yet 
so superstitious that if he dreamt of any of the gods of his country 
he believed it to be an ill omen, and offered human sacrifices to 
appease the anger of the offended deity. Shortly after I left 
Uganda, he dreamt of his father, and in consequence had 500 people 
put to death. He also believed if he dreamt of any living person it 
was a sign that they meditated treachery, and he condemned them 
forthwith to death. This supposed power of divination is said to 
be hereditary in the royal race. In concluding my remarks about 
Mtesa, I may say that he denied his Wahuma origin; not only, 
however, did his features betray him, but many of the traditions he 
held regarding his ancestors, especially his descent from Ham, point 
conclusively to an origin in the old Christianity of Abyssinia. 
When I was in Uganda Mtesa had two or three hundred women 
always residing at his court. He did not know exactly how many 
wives he had, but said that they certainly numbered 7 000. He had 
70 sons and 88 daughters. 
The queen-regent exercises practically the same rights as a king 
until her son ascends the throne, and for some little time after a good 
deal of jealousy exists between mother and son, as the mother does 
not like being deprived of her power. The king’s head wife and 
the “ king’s sister ” are almost invariably present at the council ( see 
later), and certainly exercise a considerable influence over the king. 
This “king’s sister ” is appointed by the chiefs, and is credited with 
an immense stock of wisdom. She sits near the king to his left, and 
is often appealed to by him when he is called upon to decide difficult 
matters. She also exercises a certain amount of authority in the 
king’s household, and she is not allowed to marry. 
The population of Uganda may be divided into four classes, 
