and the Mpongwe . 
79 
manded by Mormonism—a system which partly 
justifies polygamy. In Portuguese Guinea the en¬ 
ceinte is claimed by her relatives, especially by the 
women, for three years, that she may give undi¬ 
vided attention to her offspring, who is rightly 
believed to be benefited by the separation, and 
that she may return to her husband with renewed 
vigour. Meanwhile custom allows the man to co¬ 
habit with a slave girl. 
Polygamy, also, in Africa is rather a political 
than a domestic or social institution. A “judicious 
culture of the marriage tie” is necessary amongst 
savages and barbarians whose only friends and 
supporters are blood relations and nuptial connec¬ 
tions ; besides which, a multitude of wives ministers 
to the great man’s pride and influence, as well as 
to his pleasures and to his efficiency. When the 
head wife ages, she takes charge of the girlish 
brides committed to her guardianship by the hus¬ 
band. I should try vainly to persuade the English 
woman that there can be peace in households so 
constituted : still, such is the case. Messrs. Wil¬ 
son and Du Chaillu both assert that the wives 
rarely disagree amongst themselves. The senti¬ 
mental part of love is modified; the common 
husband becomes the patriarch, not the pater¬ 
familias ; the wife is not the mistress, but the 
mere de famille. The alliance rises or sinks to one 
of interest and affection instead of being amorous 
