Seven Years among the Fjort. By R. C. Dennett. (Sampson
Low and Co.)—Mr. Dennett is anxious to make us know a little more about the negro, and certainly contrives to do so by means of pen and pencil. Photographs and drawings, which are not the lees interesting because they do not pretend to be artistio, illustrate his book. He is anxious also to instruct us about the missionary. Here wo feel a little doubtful of his guidance. Sometimes he expresses himself on this subject with moderation and good sense. But ho seems to lose his temper when he gets to the subject of the spirit-traffic. "The trader is just as willing to sell tracts and blankets as he is gin or rum, provided that he is allowed to make his profit and there be an equally good sale for them." That is an intelligible principle, though it might be called a little cynical. But Mr. Deunett is better than his theory, and seems really willing to "dis- courage the abuse of spirits, and do a great deal towards its disuse." He complains that the German Government stops the way. Indeed, the German exportation ie nearly six-seventhe of the whole amount. The best way to suppress the traffic, it seems, is to become a Nkiseist. "As a Nkiseist, one has very little trouble in dealing with the abuse of liquor, for if A is given to drinking, B can call down one of the great feteiches, and A assenting, the ngengs, or doctor, twists it in A's hair, and then hammers it into the feteich, as A in a loud voice forswears the use of spirits for ever. Should A break his pledge, the evil spirit will kill him." This last is a valuable hint for the teetotallers, if only they can manage to work it. They must go to Mr. Dennett, who writes as if ho were an Nkissist himself.
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