Sierra Leone. By G. A. L. Banbury. (Swan Sonnenschein and
Co.)—This book, originally written in the form of letters by one who was for a few years a Government official at Sierra Leone, gives a slight and sketchy description of the character and customs of the inhabitants, both native and European, of the sport and scenery, the history and general condition of the "white man's grave." The author's opinion of the religious and moral status of the Negroes of this Colony is, on the whole, more favourable than that of some other writers, and one gathers that the example of the more civilised white man has a great deal to do with the low level of morality which admittedly exists. The following is a curious explanation of their habits adopted by some "coloured gentlemen," as the Africans like to be called ; one of them assured the author "that he looked upon Europeans as fulfilling the New Testament of [sic] the world, and the Africans as having been specially preserved to con- tinue in the ways of the Old Testament, thus proving to the world at large the truth of the Bible." Mr. Banbury adds, with a greater show of reason,--" It must be remembered, also, that the un- healthiness of the climate prevents that softening influence of comparison [sic] which would be gained, if it were possible for English ladies to live in the country." As the climate prevents any considerable increase of the European population, Mr. Ban- bury sensibly suggests that the only hope of raising the Colony above "its present paradoxical condition of barbaric-civilisation" is to be found in an extension of the benefits of a good English education to every town and village, which he thinks could be done at comparatively little cost, as "native teachers are obtainable at very modest wages."
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