130 VII. SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN THE FOREST 
through a case of most unprincipled wife-purchase, 
which took place at Samkita, and was related to me by 
a missionary. A man owed one of his neighbours £i6 
(400 fr.), but, instead of repaying it, he bought a wife 
and married her with the usual ceremonies. While 
they were at the wedding feast, the creditor made his 
appearance, and overwhelmed the bridegroom with 
abuse for having bought a wife instead of pa5ung his 
debt. A palaver began which ended in an agreement 
that the debtor should give his creditor the first girl 
born of the marriage for a wife, on which the latter 
joined the guests and took his part in the festivities. 
Sixteen years later he came as a wooer, and so the debt 
was paid ! 
My opinion is, and I have formed it after conversation 
with all the best and most experienced of the white men 
in this district, that we should accept, but try to 
improve and refine, the rights and customs which we 
find in existence, and make no alterations which are not 
absolutely necessary. 
He Hs 
A word in conclusion about the relations between the 
whites and the blacks. What must be the general 
character of the intercourse between them ? Am I to 
treat the black man as my equal or as my inferior ? I 
must show him that I can respect the dignity of human 
personahty in every one, and this attitude in me he must 
be able to see for himself ; but the essential thing is that 
there shall be a real feeling of brotherliness. How far 
this is to find complete expression in the sayings and 
doings of daily fife must be settled by circumstances. 
The negro is a child, and with children nothing can be 
