Identifier: rivercongofromit00john (find matches)
Title: The River Congo from its mouth to Bólobó; with a general description of the natural history and anthropology of its western basin
Year: 1895 (1890s)
Authors: Johnston, Harry Hamilton, Sir, 1858-1927
Subjects: Natural history
Publisher: London, S. Low, Marston & Co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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he furtherside of the stream, at a much lower level than the station,is situated the Baptist Mission, very bright and pretty inoutward appearance, embowered in fine groves and closeto a charming little creek of the river, but for all thisunhealthy, I believe. It is one of the few places whereI have heard of dysentery on the Congo. One of theBaptist missionaries recently died from that disease, con-tracted at the mission station of Manyanga. On theother hand the sanitary reputation of the plateau is un-doubtedly good, and there is a freshness and breezinessin the air that you miss down below by the ri^er side. Iam convinced Mr. Stanley has done wisely, apart fromstrategic reasons, in placing all his stations on the highestground attainable.* * I am afraid, both Mr. Stanley and myself afterwards arrived ata different opinion. The stations set on a hill all proved unhealthy,on account of their exposure to the cold night winds, and were nearlyail abandoned after several years.—PL II. J.
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ISANGILA TO MANTANGA. 97 Manyanga is a great food centre. I have alreadyhinted at its abundantly supplied markets, where eightyor ninety fowls, fifty goats, troops of sheep, and hundredsof eggs may be purchased at a single time. The favouritemedium of exchange here is blue glass beads, and hand-kerchiefs and stuffs will scarcely be taken at any sacrifice.Indeed it is quite a false idea to imagine that you can goanywhere in Africa with any sort of bead and any kindof cloth. Each district has its peculiar tastes and fanciesto consult, and you might starve in one place with balesof goods that would purchase kingdoms in another. Inone part of the Congo basin red is the favourite colour,in another blue, in a third green, and I have come acrosssome tribes where white cloth far outvalued coloured orpatterned stuffs. Between Vivi and Isangila you willfind red handkerchiefs, striped cloth, brass tacks, gin,and wire useful. At Manyanga blue beads rule themarket; at Stanley Pool brass rods. On t

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