MEMORIES OF THE WEST AFRICAN COAST [To the Editor of
the SPECT.1.TOR.] SIR ,—Wi th reference to your remarks in a recent number as to the opinions of the natives of the Gambia district con- cerning H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, your readers may be interested to hear that when I was on the " Coast " in 1893 I happened to entertain some Chiefs on board the ship in which I was serving. They were tremendously interested to hear that I possessed a portrait of Queen Victoria but were equally disappointed on seeing it. I asked why and one replied :—" You look, Massa, dat not Klcan Victorlia. Klean Victorlia pilit (spirit). Sec, Massa, all my life Klean Victorlia he lib. All my father's life Klean Victorlia be lib !. All my grandfather's life Mean Victorlia he lib ! Klean Victorlia not white man. Klean Victorlia him pilit."
At the same time I may add that our Kroo boys when paddling us ashore in the surf boat—a glorious experience when the surf was heavy—used to sing a sort of chanty of which, I recollect, the refrain was " Klean Victorlia very fine white man. Zum ba ba vow, ba ha vow."
I recollect a Chief on seeing our engine room saying with humble admiration White man him god " !—I am, Sir, (Vice-Admiral Retd.).
Travellers' Club, Pall Mall, 5.11'. 1.
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