A Visit to Banza Chisalla . 115 
causes the African “ king ” to pose in these cast-off 
borrowed plumes. Contrast with his three-quarter 
nude subjects gives him a name; the name com¬ 
mands respect; respect increases “dashand dash 
means dollars. For his brain, dense and dead 
enough to resist education, is ever alive and 
alert to his own interest; whilst the concentration 
of its small powers prevails against those who, in 
all other points, are notably his superiors. The 
whole of negro Africa teaches this lesson. “ The 
Ethiopians/’ says Father Merolla, “are not so dull 
and stupid as is commonly imagined, but rather 
more subtle and cunning than ordinaryand he 
adds an instance of far-sighted treachery, which 
would not have been despicable even in a Hindoo. 
A desultory palaver “ came up the soul of the 
meeting not being present. M. Pissot explained 
my wish to “ take walk and make book,” carefully 
insisting upon the fact that I came to spend, not to 
gain money. The grizzled senior’s face, before 
crumpled like a “ wet cloak ill laid up,” expanded 
at these last words, and with a grunt, which plainly 
meant “ by’m’ by,” he rose, and retired to drink— 
a call of nature which the decencies of barbarous 
dignity require to be answered in private. He re¬ 
turned accompanied by his nephew, Manbuku Prata 
(pronounced Pelata), the “Silver Chief Officer,” 
as we might say, Golden Ball The title is vul¬ 
garly written Mambuco ; the Abbe Proyart prefers 
