agnificent view can be
obtained of the river and country around. Here I remained for nearly a
week and was attended with much skill and care by the medical men and
sisters. It was necessary to make some calls in the town and a carriage
at Boma was placed at my disposal similar to the one at Stanleyville,
but travelling in it was more comfortable for the roads are better in
the capital. It was very hot and the mosquitoes were terribly hostile,
but otherwise my visit was very pleasant and agreeable.

On January 6th the German cruiser the _Vineta_ and the gunboat the
_Habicht_ entered the Congo and the Governor General gave a dinner to
the officers to which I received the honour of an invitation. I am
tempted to give the menu to show that although living in the Upper Congo
is not good, as a rule, in Boma it is possible to give a banquet worthy
of anyone.

MENU
--
_Potage aux tomates_
--
_Coquilles de crevettes_
--
_Barbue. Sauce capres_
_Pommes nature_
--
_Filet de boeuf_
_Flageolets. Pommes rissolees_
--
_Asperges de Malines_
_Sauce au beurre_
--
_Pigeonneaux rotis. Petits pois_
--
_Poulets farcis. Compote de mangues_
--
_Canetons rotis. Salade russe_
--
_Gateaux_
_Ananas au kirsch_
_Fruits.--Desserts_

The wines were Oporlo, Hodiheimer, Niersteiner, Pichon Longueville 1893,
Chateau Grand Larose 1893, Corton and Louis Roederer Champagne. The
dinner was served admirably by native boys while the band of the Force
Publique performed in the garden.

The strong, grasping instinct of the native was well shown after I had
paid off the "boys," written them good characters and made them handsome
presents. At the last moment they all came and demanded a further tip
which I rather indignantly refused to give. However, they showed by
their manner then that they were well satisfied and knew very well that
it would be very difficult to obtain such high wages again. I had many
long talks with Mr. Vandamme, who was as usual, very hard at work, and
Mr. Underwood who kindly helped me to settle many matters. Indeed,
everyone with whom I came into contact, whether State Officials,
Missionaries or Traders, were always extremely kind and courteous and
converted what might have been a very unpleasant and d