94 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
when the missionaries succeeded;, the people “ lived so 
Christian-like and lovingly together, that the wife 
would suffer herself to be cut to pieces rather than 
deceive her husband.” Merolla, indeed, enlarges on the 
constancy of women, whether white or black, when 
lawfully married to their mates ; and praises them for 
living together in all manner of love and amity. 
“ Hence may be learned what a propensity the women 
have to chastity in these parts, many of whom meet 
together on the first day of Lent, and oblige themselves, 
under pain of severe penance, to a strict continence till 
Easter.” In cases of adultery the husband could divorce 
the wife ; he was generally satisfied by her begging his 
pardon, and by taking a slave from the lover. Widowed 
“ countesses,” proved guilty of “ immorality,” suffered 
death by fire or sword. On the other hand, the “ prin- 
cess ” had a right to choose her husband ; but, as in 
Persia, the day of his splendid wedding was the last of 
his liberty. He became a prisoner and a slave ; he was 
surrounded by spies ; he was preceded by guards out of 
doors, and at the least “ ecart ” his head was chopped 
off and his paramour was sold. These ladies amply 
revenged the servitude of their sex — 
“ Asperius nihil est humili cnm surgit in alturn 
Rich women were allowed to support quasi-husbands 
until they became mothers ; and the slaves of course 
lived together without marriage. Since the days of the 
Expedition a change for the better has come over the 
gentil sesso. The traveller is no longer in the “ dilemma 
of Frere Jean,” and, except at the river-mouth and at 
the adjacent villages, there is none of that officious com- 
plaisance which characterizes every hamlet in the 
Gaboon country. The men appear peculiarly jealous, 
and the women fearful of the white face. Whenever 
we approached a feminine group, it would start up and 
run away ; if cooking ground-nuts, the boldest would 
place a little heap upon the bottom of an upturned 
basket, push it towards us and wave us off. The lowest 
orders will submit to a kind of marriage for four fathoms 
