Mr. H. M. Stanley's New Book.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5894, 28 July 1890, Page 4

Mr. H. M. Stanley's New Book.

« "IN DARKEST AFRICA." No. I.

Probably no book of auv kind—certainly no book of travel-has ever awakened such deep and widespread interest as Stanley's "In Darkest .. trica." The demand for it m __ugl„n_, America, the colonies, and in every quarter of Europe has been unprecedented, aud tho anxiety to obtain even tho most fragmentary iv format ion concerning the probable character of its disclosures can only be described as phenomenal. Iv London Stanley has reoeived a complete ovation, together with adulation aud flattery enough to turn tho head of any man less strong, independent, and simple. Just now society is running wild after him, and wherever he goes it is at once apparent from the magificent reception which he obtains that tho classes and the masses of the metropolis—however, ranch the}- may be divided on other points—are completely at oue iv their welcome to the boldest and most intrepid explorer of modern times. Amid it all, Stanley remains tho samo brusque, good-hearted, unspoilt fellow he has always been ; indeed, his character has perceptibly deepened and mellowed iv recent years, aud thoso who know him best —as ho stands tow at the zenith of his fume—are the first to declare that in a deep and noble sense ho is worthy of the universal homage which his pluck, endurance, and skill have conspired to bring him.' The book, wo may at onco declare, is iv every setiso of the word worthy of its author's reputation, and MrStauley'spublishers merit emphatic, even if passing, recognition for the manner in which they havo produced the work. Tho paper, typo, aud biudiug are of the best quality, and tho work contains too woodcut illustrations of remarkable interest, besides first-rate colored maps and good portraits of tho explorer and his officers. The publishers state in a note that no work of travel of tho same magnitude was ever before produced in so short a space of time: indeed, as a matter of fact, tho first portion of the mauuscript was only placed in tho printer's hands on tho 12th of March, and the last proof-sheet was returned for press on the 3rd of June, by which date all tho illustrations—mauv cithern from sketches and photographs taken during tho expedition—bad not only been engraved, but woven iuto tho text. Mr. Stanley states that when ho arrived at Cairo, on the 10th of January, 1800, and had safely handed over to the Egyptian authorities tho 200 refugees whom he had brought from Emm's province of Equator:.. he sought a quiet retreat in order to write the strange eventful story of threo years' wanderings "In Darkest Africa."" He settled himself in the Villa Vie.toria, Ci _■;■>, and on January ■__'..h took up his pen k. begin his task. Ho tells us that at first ho knew not. how to begin. It seemed, indeed, as though his right hand had forgotten it* cunning, and as if ihe art of composition hud vanished by long disuse. At first tit. wrote with " p linful d.-liberation." and al! through the progress of the work with varying degrees i.f .-peed, and thus "on. da. my pen would fairly race over the paper at the rate of nine folios an hour, whilst at other time it could . c.ircely frame- a hundred words." Finally, after -id- days' hard ami persistent labor, the book was "written, and, probably from sheer fatiguo, it ends suinewhat abruptly. Sir Stanley had by thid time written upwards of " _ 1)0 foolse.ip manuscript pages. Moreover, he had been compelled during tho progress of the work to dash off -{'id' letters, and to despatch about IUU telegrams, besides holding at bay, as best he could, the crowd of hero-woi-hippers who, even at Cairo, dogged his steps, aud clamored for personal interviews oa the most 1 limey pretexts. It is, of course, unnecessary, after all that has recently appeared in our columns, that wo should attempt once more to recouut the circumstances under which Jlr Stanley left London on January 21, ISS7, to seek and to find the beleaguered Governor of Equatoria — 1.-.mm Pasha. The story of the origiu of the relief expedition is known to everybody, aud the main outline of what followed has already been related in Mr Stanley's own letters. This, however, has only deepened tha publio interest, and, so to speak, whetted the general appelito for the full, picturesque, and exciting narrative which tho explorer has now written. He-re and there throughout the book thero are unmistakable signsjof haste, hut the narrative throughout glows with color, is graphic, modest, and manly, and full of the enthusiasm of humanity. From June, ISS7, to December, ISSi), Stanley and his followers wero traversing unexplored regions. When Yumbuya, on tho Upper Congo, hud been left behind, they plunged into tho . great central forest oi tho Dark Continent and for nearly 160 days, in peril and famine, they were cleaving their way through its tangled and untrodden fastnesses. The adventures which thoy met with, the privations they endured, tbo losses thoy sustaitied, the foe- they encountered, and the difiieulties which they finally vanquished are all described with a picturesque realism and unstudied vigour which holds tbe reader Krellbouud. Stanley met with difficulties enough to utterly dishearten all but tho must resolute and capable of leaders. Tippu Tib proved faithless ; Major Batt.tolot, who h..d been left iv charge ut Yumbuya of the rear columu, was assassinated ; hostile tribes, roused to fury by recent raids oa the part of Arab slavolumtets, were encountered; the quest of Emm for a long time seemed like the proverbial search for a needle in a haystack. Nelson had to bo left behind in charge of the sick and ailing, and so long a period elapsed before Lieutenant Stairs wa« able to come to his relief, that terrible privations ensued iv what bits been aptly called Starvation Camp. Then, when L'minut length was found, fresh diflioulties arose, for the Pasha proved himself—not to mince words—somewhat pig-headed and intractable, and absurdly blind to the menacing attitude of his own follows. When Jeph-On returned to Wadelii with Emm as a sort of forerunner of Stanley new complications sprang up, for tho Pasha found that his rebellious oflicers had not been idle in his absence, and in the end both i-miu and his guest wero made prisoners. Stanley, in the meantime, having erected Fori iiodo", at length felt compelled to take action in order to clear up tie. mystery involved in the non-appearance ol Major iiarttelot and the rear column entrusted with siqiplies. He accordingly pushed his way through the forest once more, encountering the hostile dwarfs oi th.it mysterious region, and when ho at length reached Banaly. , the news greeted him that i;_rttolot was dead, that James son had gone to Stanley Falls iv snarch of fresh catrries, that Ward was at Biiugalu. nnd tlmt. Troup had gone home invalided, whilst I_r Bonny, who had been engaged as doctor's assistant to the expedition, alone remained in charge. Once nioio Stanley pushed back to Fort liodo, and having n joined his companions, proceeded to l._v._lii. At length, Jephsou, having escaped from eantivity, rejoined ..iunloy, and shortly after wards Emm Kirn... If appeared iv Stanley's camp, to ho followed presently by many of his people. Four months wero spent atKavalli, and with the ut.mu.ulifiiculty Stanley finally persuaded I'min to set out with him o.i the long and hazardous journey to Zanzibar. Tho difficulties of the renewed march were almost, mi.iirjiiouulable, for the Pasha was ailing ami vacillating, and ho was accompanied by i__:iy s ; c.: aud disafleeted people. Tho march to X-uzi.ur from tho Albert Nyanza occupied six month*, and during that time the now e.ihau: .td and heavily handle.ipp".d expedition traversed iidutan-.: of loiiiieen hundred miles, during the course of vvliii.ii Stanley liv.ccd the Semiiki River to its soun;i; iv a lake, which iio named in honor ot tho Prince o? WalesAlk-rt Edward A-iyanza. He al.-o explored a lofty range of -iiow-eappeii mountains, the Ituwetizori, which rival Kilimanjaro ;..d Keni.i in altitude, and which Stanley, ri.-htl

or wrongly, thinks an; id. mica! with the hi'.U" iiiythii-al Mountains of the Moon ot ancient geographes. He also explored the shore., ot the vast Victoria Kyanza, ami discovered that that great inland sea ex tends much further to the .south west than has hitherto been supposed, aud, to sum up in a word, besides these important distoveric. iie has widened the held of geography aud ethnology, and jais brought to iight regions of great uaturr.l wealth, which Christianity and civilisation have yet to claim and conquer. It only remains for us now—at all events to-day—to givo orr readers a taste of the ip_ality of the book, at the tame time assuring them that, the o .orations which follow are typical to the general drift of tho na'-rative, .-md could easily be matched in interest and charm hi i__ii._t every elmpter of a, book which extends to a thousand pages. The descriptions which Stanley gives of the manners and customs of the native races of Centra! Africa, and especially ot the race of pigmies which dwell iv the primeval forest where lie met with some-of his most start!- | ing adventures, is especially i :lhralli»g : — '" Among the..' 1 for'.■._i tribes we have obtserved some si: eal.a-ly pivpos.-e.-sing _...■_,.<. and ...rher-' n .■■ •-.nm.ly low ami degroied. However incorrigibly iiereo in temper, oetestaii'e in th..'ii-ii."s;'Osiii<.-ii, and iica.il i;.i ia haoitrf th-.-.j ■.■did irihts may he !o-dey, I there id Hjl one oi !i:.f in wliicii '.io.\. not con- | tain pcims, and by woes... means ar seme future date riviio...; may spread, and ■ from ii. I v.-l■.-■ :a--."h r:ic ! :wi!h the personal appo:l:am • : a?ii replies of some captives ot Lugwe'ha , With who?,;, ;..- tilt V j ' knew the language of Momvu, i was able | 1

to converse. I asked them if they wore iv tho habit of fighting strangers always. Said they, " What do strangers waut from us? We havo nothing. We have only plantains, palms, and fish." " But supposing strangers wished to buy plantains palm oil, and fish, from you, would you sell them?" "We have never seen any strangers before. Each tribe keeps to its own place until it comes to tight with us for somo reason." "Do you always tight your neighbors?" "Ko; somo of our young men go into the woods to hunt game, aud they are surprised by our neighbors ; then we go to them, and they come to fight us until ono party is tired, or one is beaten. "Well, will you bo fricuds witn mo if I send you back to your village i They looked incredulous, and when tney were actually escorted out of the camp with cowries in their hands, they simply stood still and refused to go, tearing some trap. It seemed incredible to them toat they should not bo sacrificed. One tetunied to mv tort, and was greeted kindly as an old acquaintance, received a few bananas, deliberately went to il firo and roasted them, weighing in h« mind, I suppose, meanwhile, what it all meant. After refreshing himself he ht his pipe, and 1 walked aTvav with an assumed composure. Three trips past that settlement and their confidence would havo been gained for ever. Tho pigmies arrange their dwellings—low structures of the shape of an oval figure cut lengthways ; the doors hro from 2ft. to 3ft. liis-h, placed at the ends—in a rough circle, tho ceutre of which is left cleaved for the residence of the chief and his family, and as a common. About one hundred yards in advance of tho camp, along every track leading out of it, is placed the sentryhouse, just large enough for two little men, with the doorway looking up tho track. As I have said, there aro two species of these pigmies, utterly dissimilar in complexion, conformation of tha head, and facial characteristics. Whether Batwa forms one nation and Wambutti another, we do not know, lut they differ as mu_h from each other as a Turk would from a Scandinavian. The Batwa havo longish heads, and long narrow faces, reddish small eyes, set close together, which give them a somewhat ferrety look, sour, anxious, and querulous. Tho Wnmbutti have round faces, gazelle-like eyes, set far apart, open foreheads, which givo ono an impression of undisguised frankness, aud aro of a rich yellow, ivory complexiom The Wambutti occupy the southern half of the district described, the Batwa the northern, and extend south-easterly to tho Awumba forests ou both banks of the Semliki River, and east of tho Ituri. Tho life in their forest villages partakes of the character of the agricultural classes. The women perform all the work of collecting fuel and provisions, aud cooking, and the transport of the goods of tho community. The men hunt, and fight, and smoke, aud conduct the tribal politics. There is always some game in tho camp, besides furs and feathers and hides. Thoy have nets for fish and traps for small game to make. The youngsters must always be practising with tho how aud arrow, for we havo nover come across oue of the : . villages without finding several miuiaiure bows and bluntheaded arrows. There must be free use of axes also, for lb, trees about boar many a mark which could oe'y havo been dono to try their edge."

(TO HE CONTINUED.)