13 0 01C S.
THE RETEREND r crolu ON SIERRA LEONE AND THE oemBrA."
Da. POOLE'S taste seems-originally to have inclined to the army, and his name was placed on the commission-list. Not succeeding, he' took to the church, but subsequently joined the forces as chaplain. After five years' service in the Bahamas, he returned to England, hoping for some moiitha' rest and recreation; but in a few weeks he was offered the Colonial Chaplainship at Sierra Leone, and thither he went .1 what is more surprising, he returned alive, to recruit for another campaign in the White Man's Grave. He did not escape without . several attacks of kver, one of which necessitated a sea-voyage, and the last his return to England.
How he escaped at all is surprising. The everyday duties of Colonial and Garrison Chaplain are fatiguing enough in such a climate; but the visitation-of the sick and the burial of the dead are harassing to the last dg-,m, especially as the reverend doctor seems to think the fever infectious as well as contagions (he attri- butes his first attack to attendance upon a skipper, and the daugh- ter of an officer of the garrison, both of whom died); while the nu- merous funerals are generally performed under circumstances both depressing and noxious. He also had-other grounds of annoyance, about which he speaks somewhat darkly in his sketches of the morals and manners of the colony ; but they may be, the back- biting habits of the place; the odiurn theologicum, exhibited chiefly, we should infer, by divines of the Anglican Church itself ; or an -undue or arbitrary display of official power somewhere ; or all combined. Dr. Poole, however, lived through it all, and in tolerable enjoyment too. He not only took his "constitutional" exercise, but made numerous excursions in the neighbourhood of Freetown, and visited our settlements on the Gambia, making along voyage up the river. He exposed himself at all home, pro- fessionally or-for pleasure ; and lived well The Colonial Chaplain is no ascetic. He enjoys a good dinner, and a glass of wine, or grog, or "Bass's pale, -and and seems only not to smoke because he cannot. These things:, and some other matters in costume, &c. which would make a priest or a formalist turn up his eyes. either cannot be avoided in the primitive state of an African settlement on the Western coast, or are indispensable to existence. In the Tropics we must live well to live at all.
To say that these volumes are hardly equal to the writer's po- sition and opportunities in a place like Sierra Leone, would be something like following Goldsmith's receipt to make a critic on • ting—" The picture would have been better had the painter ken. more.pains." The work contains a good deal of information as regards the Coloured and European population of Sierra Leone ; with opinions and suggestions respectuag this part of Africa and the natives, of a mixed kind ; some being sensible and others use- less or impracticable. There are, as a matter of course, com- plaints against the Colonial Office, and many exposures of mis- management and abuses ; with narratives of excursions, and sketches of incidents of travel or adventures in the wild. These are somewhat overlaid by mere descriptions of scenery, and by stories of meetings, parties, and persons, that were no doubt agree- able enough to be present at and to remember, but as the reader enjoys neither of these advantages, they seem rather at to him in the narrative and local in the wit.
One of the strong arguments against what is called a State Church, and to which circumstances just now are likely to call at- tention, is the manner in which the State, that is the Executive, barters the temporalities attached to the Church at home, and often withholds the smallest pittance abroad. The sole pretence for founding Sierra Leone and keeping up all the settlements in West- 'ern Africa is to civilize and Christianize the natives. In many places -there is no Anglican divine at all; what is clone is done by the • Wealeyins or other Voluntaries. In Sierra Leone there are 4 ngli- tan clergymen, but Dr. Poole says the want of a bishop is greatly felt: the baptized are unconfirmed, and the churches and burial- grounds unconsecrated, while the State and the Church Missionary divines, we conjecture, do not always pull together. There is no residence for the Chaplain; and that in a place where a house healthy in construction and site may he a matter of life and death. It is asserted in all quarters, that the building of the church cost forty thousand pounds ; though Dr. Poole cannot conceive that -more than one-fourth of the sum ever was expended. What there is to show-for the money is thus described. "The form of the building is oblong ; but miserably out of proportion as the edifice is by far too wide for its length. The church has a square proportion, tower, but no. bells, as in Old F land, to gladden the heart with their merry music. How often have I, as going to and returning from my unsatisfactory duties, yearned to hear sounding forth from St. George's yet unconsecrated walls the changing peals of such Sabbath bells as enliven those whose happiness it is to live within their chimes! The want of even a .bell in the church to toll the people to service is only one of those unac- countable omissions for which indifference to matters of this nature can alone account. Over theEast end of the building, where the altar stands, there is an arched window' which for a long time was partially concealed; but, thanks to the good taste of the present surveyors, is now fully restored. It is the only thing in the building deserving notice ; and ornamented with -stained glass would have an imposing effect. At this end of the church, -outside, on the angle of it is a stone cross. Formerly there was a round ball,—what to signify, no one, except the person who put it there, can.
"The first thing to which my attention was directed 012 officiating in 'St. Life, Scenery, and Custcrms, in Sierra Leone and the Gambia. By Thomas Eyre
'Poole, PD., formerly of Magdalen Hall, Oxford, and Colonial and °arisen Chap-
Iln = of Sierra Leone. lo two volumes. Published by Bentley. Geoege'sovasthe mistake whichi ciiseoveredinithe Decalogue. I perceived that the seventh and eighth Commandments were ineorrectly placed, the one expressing the obligations of the other. How loug this gross error has been permitted to remain uncorrected I eannottell ; but there it is yet, to bear witness to the blindness of eye, as well as heart, which can tolerate in the house of the Most High so palpable a mistake. This would not 'be seen many of the Missionary churches or chapels."
The burial-wound is in a still worse state, and the important matters of police and registraticm-are grossly neglected. "There is but one spot in this rich landscape ta view of Freetown] which casts a gloom upon the happiness which otherwise pervades the whole. It is that which is covered with so many tombstones, the last appointed place for man on earth ! I could never 'contemplate this piece of ground, over- grown with rank grass, disturbed as it is by- swine and cattle of every kind uprooting the graves, and despoiling this sanctuary of the dead, without emotions of indignation and sorrow. This burial-ground is exposed to every depredation from the animals which are continually straying about, having no other fence than a lime-hedge fronting the road, the other sides of it being almost entirely open. I have-myself seen the most revolting instances of desecration from the swine when I have been there on duty. If.any one thing reflects on the cold and stoical indifference of persons to that redeem- ing quality in our nature which loves to respect the mortal remains of our fellow-creatures more than another, it is the supineness which has so long tolerated such a shameful neglect of the dearest rights of humanity, and the misnamed economy which has found a „way of dispensing with any scruples of conscience that might sometimes arise on this subject, on.the plea of want of means. If but a fractional part of the immense sums which have been wasted at different times and to little pinpose had been dedicated to the protecting the dust of man from continual profanation, the grave-yard, where numbers of our countrymen, governors, commandants, officials, he indiscriminately, without a tombstone to markthe place of their sepulture, would not be the neglected wilderness it now is. There is not so Much tD3 a shed at its entrance where the officiating minister may robe himself, or find a shelter from the rays of the burning sun or pelting rain, whilst he awaits the arrival of 'the corpse; and this he has to do for sometimes two or three hours. A strong palisade, or rough stone wall, would, if no better protection could be.given to it, be better than leaving itas it is. And the chain-gang, if the public chest is too poor to meet the expense of such a reasonable claim upon it as this, might be very usefully employed 'here as well as elsewhere, in clearing away the-rubbish and overgrown bush and grass, end making cross paths of sufficient width and number to admit a dry and unobstructM path for the mourners. Nor would it be an 'undesirable arrangement to have numbers affixed, whereby, as in England, the spot of any particular interment might be ascertained. The burial-ground is not exclusively at- tached to the Government Colonial Church as a freehold appendage to it, as is the case in general with uhurehes and churchyards; and therefore ie Open to all denominations, Christian. or Heathen or Infidel, for the recep- tion of their dead."
These things, and various others of a similar kind, are -not chargeable upon any particular man or any particular de_partment. They belong to the system, which-turns the-Colonies into a hotbed of corruption and jobbing, and seizes upon any "sham" to create patronage. The above lathes, or something worse than lashes, for example, do not seem to be the fault of any individual. But one thing is clear.: were these settlements kept up in good faith—were there any disposition to do more than use Africa and the Africans to turn periods in Parliament and throw dust in the eyes of a portion of the public—such things would not be. With- out zeal or care for religion, a Colonial Minister who looked to these places as settlements for civilizing and converting the Blackis would have sent ministers and means as instruments to effect the object, just as he would send implements if agriculture were the aim, or arms and ammunition if war were in view. Ills own be- lief is beside the question : a man of business would do-it, as a matter of business ; and this feeling at head-quarters would influ- ence the whole mass of officials. It might not make them religious, but it would make them decorous.
Dr. Poole is not very strong upon slavery; he is general, and rather stale. But he indirectly bears testimony to the often- asserted fact, that the mere contact with civilization even as a slave greatly improves the African. All the immigrants who were brought to Sierra Leone during the time of slavery were very .far beyond the natives.
Besides these grave matters, there are lighter topics in Dr. Poole's book : su.ch is this story of the hard word. "A more pleasing and delightful trait of character, of quite a different complexion, and which was exhibited under very interesting circnmstance was once described to me by a friend on the coast who was himself concerned in the transaction which brought it to light. This gentleman had been spreaching on the previous day to the people under his care. He was ac- costed by a native, one of the members of his charge, who said he wished very much to speak to him; and, on being asked the purport of his question, he told the person what he wanted, which was an explanation of a word he had heard, but could not understand. Massa, masse,' he exclaimed, good morning, mesas. You done speak, yesterday, one big word !' He was asked what it was. The inquirer continued, Massa, I no can tell, but I want you to tell me what it is.' The gentleman was altoge- ther at a.loss to conjecture what the expression could be which had made such an impression on this simple but sincere convert to Christianity; and tried a variety of words, but without arriving at that which was the sub- ject of explanation. 'Is it glory ?' asked the gentleman. The man said, That bright for good, but that not the word.' 'Jail it God ?' continued the gentleman. Lsavez God be bri,„ht,' answered the inquirer; bat that not the woril. "Is it grace ?' pursued my friend. I saves that,' said the A.fri- can, in my heart,' putting his hand upon it at the same time ; that be good, but it no be that. The gentleman was almost disheartened and ready to give up the inquiry, when he remembered having used the expression effulgence. 'Is it effulgence?' asked the gentleman. The word was warm- ly spoken than, in an ecstasy of delight, and laughing for joy, the African exclaimed, 'Yea, masa ; yes, masse, that be big word: please tell me what that big word mean.' To the best of his ability the person tried to make him understand its meaning by directing his attention to the rising sun, and other objects calculated to assist his mind in comprehending ; when the poor fellow observed, raising his eyes to heaven, and clasping his hands toge. -t.her, Oh, mesas, that just how we shall see Gad in heaven!'"
The following gives a good idea of a stylish Negro wedding.
"The behaviour of the applicants for the bonds of Hymen ia, for the most .part, decorous.; but I .am.aometirees .compelled to read.them a .lecture, *a well as the friends who attend them. I make, however, every allowance for their not knowing better. The most troublesome and unpleasant part of the duty is to regulate and keep in order the ill-behaved, and very often disre- putable characters who noisily and irreverently crowd into the church on such occasions, and would, if not restrained by severe and decisive interfe- rence, bring their indecencies and ribaldry up to the railings of the altar. I have often been obliged to send for a policeman to preserve decorum ; and then the miserable beings will run out of the church with laughter and grins and every other expression of ignorance and contempt. The drew of the bride and bridegroom at the bridal merits a better pen than mine to de- scribe it. The uglier the parties, the more pains they seem to take to show it off to the utmost, by the most conspicuous contrast of colour and finery. Fancy a short, dumpy, waddling bit of a body, black as jet, covered with white silk or satin ! Flounces four deep, white satin shoes, white gloves, artificial wreath or a fillet of natural flowers encircling her curly pate. There is no exaggeration in this. Then the massive ear-rings of virgin gold depending from two monstrous lapping ears, the almost imperceptible nose, the pouting lip, and white pearly teeth. So much for the bride. Now for the bridegroom. Scarcely able to turn one way or the other, so tightly is he cased in a blue swallow-tailed coat with gilt figured buttons, white folding waistcoat, and everything else to correspond. The wedding-ring must not be overlooked, as it is frequently a curiosity itself and not always of gold, or plain, but sometimes silver, brass, tin, broad and twisted. The glove of the Wahful lady has generally to be violently taken off to admit the putting on the finger the precious emblem of fidelity and perpetuity of love; and I have never wanted volunteers to officiate for me in helping the most interested of the party to get the ring honestly and fairly in its appointed place.
"The most painful part of my duty in these matters was to get them to repeat the words of the service after me. The wretched stupidity they would show in trying to do this exceeds belief; and the unseasonable ridi- cule it would provoke in their own people was distressingly trying. In short, their utter ignorance in numerous cases of the nature of the responsi- bilities they were undertaking could not fail of causing regret that they marry at all."
Previous page
