274 
In the Heart of Africa 
and by the Commandant at Matadi, and shown to our quarters, 
enjoying some very pretty views of the town and harbour on the 
way. Matadi is a place of considerable importance, as it is 
virtually the seaport town for the whole of the Congo State. 
Ocean-going steamers are able to navigate the stream up to 
this point. Numerous Government and private buildings reach 
from the harbour to fairly high up on the hills. All the build¬ 
ings are constructed of iron and corrugated iron, and conse¬ 
quently lacked the cheerful appearance of the stations we had 
been accustomed to meet on the Upper Congo. The town does 
not bear a very good reputation on account of the great heat 
which prevails, the mountains around shutting out all fresh 
breezes. The place seemed better than its repute to us, probably 
because we had grown accustomed to high temperatures. Two 
vessels were lying in the harbour—the Albertville^ a 4,000-ton 
steamer belonging to the Compagnie Beige Maritime du Congo, 
which plies every week between Antwerp and Matadi, and the 
Governor-GeneraFs yacht Hirondelle^ which was to carry us to 
Boma next day. During our rest at Vice-Consul Schmidt's 
hospitable house we learned that within a few days' time we 
should be able to leave Boma by the English steamer Mandingo^ 
of the Elder Dempster line, which runs to the Cameroons. 
Next morning the smart little Hirondelle took us to Boma 
in two and a half hours. The Governor, M. Fuchs, was un¬ 
fortunately confined to his room by indisposition, but he had 
asked his secretary and the Commandant de force fublique 
kindly to meet us at the landing jetty. We forgathered later 
at the Governor’s residence. He has lived for fifteen years on 
the Congo, and, having traversed the whole territory through 
and through in the course of years, has become one of the 
foremost living authorities on the subject. In consequence 
of his excellent personal qualities, his courtesy, kindness, 
and great experience, he is held in very high esteem, and 
we shall not soon forget the pleasant hours we passed in his 
house. 
Boma lies in the midst of green gardens and shady avenues. 
