To say that Miss ,Bigland is a 'talented journalist is
to say that her travel book on the Rhodesias and Nyasaland is. easy to read, and has a fresh and sympathetic approach to many human problems, African and 'European. She has a quick eye for the general situation, and was evidently taught much by an intelligent District Commissioner, who explained to her the work he had to do, and the evil ways of Indians, missionaries, British settlers and tourists. Miss Bigland got a superficial idea of tribal dis- organisation, and the effects on the African of work in the Rhodesian !nines and' culture-contact generally. But she prides herself on cotnplete technical ignorance; and knowing nothing but what her eyes and a few friends tell her. The result is often fantastic, and when she makes her Bemba chief "draw his blanket closer round him," or squat before a fire while he indulges in the most highly improbable confidences, one feels she must have confused her reading of Red Indian stories with African guide-books. Quite as curious are her parallels with Soviet Communism when she describes native agriculture. With so- much spirit and energy and general capability, it seems pity she should have squandered her gifts on such a very in- accurate piece of writing.
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