The weekly Louisianian., 1874-10-24

the entirety OF the Union, remain
an open question. CIVIS.
OUR BOOK TABLE
"The Heart of Africa. Three Years Tray
els and Adventures in the Unexplore,
Regions of Central Africa, from 1866
to 1871. By DR.. George Scheinfurth
Translated by Ellen E. Frewer, will
an Introduction by Wlnwood Reade.
New York: Harper & Brother. 1874
Next to Livingston, and we ma,
add our own Stanley, probably nc
man has seen Africa with more Of
the true spirit OF the explorer, and
therefore a less desire to underrate
what he saw than has the author Of
these travels. DR.. Schweinfurth'a
mode Of locomotion, which was to
place himself under the protection
OF a Nubian Mussulman trader max
ing his stated visits to his "'seribas"
or factories with a large armed
force, carried him into stthl heprt of
Africa between 80 and 10 north
latitude. These Nubian traders, their
mode Of bartering and their travels
are all made the subjects OF a very
interesting chapter. tn his picture
OF life and manners in the heart of
Africa DR.: Schweinfurth says: Con
the labyrinth of Africa culture it is
difficult to disentangle the hundred
threads which lead up to the centre
from which they have all been un-
wound. Not q custom, not a super
stition is found in one part which is
not more or less accurately repeated
in another; not one continuance of
design, not one weapon of war
exists Of which it can be declared
that it is exclusive property of any
one race. From north to south
and from sea to sea, in some form
Or other, every invention is sure to
be repeated; it is the thing that
has BEEN The creative hand of
alone produces what is new.
Ii We could at once grasp and set
before Il minds facts that are
lnown (whether as regards Ian
,uage. race, culture, history, or
le7elopment) OF that vast region Of
he world which is comprehended
n the name Of. Africa, we should
ave before us the witness OF m
ntermingling of races which is {
eyond all precedent; and yet, I
ewildering as the prospect would \
ppear, it remnins a fact, not to be I
ainsaid, that it is impossible for !
ny one to survey the country az a c
hole without perceiving that high e
oove the multitude of individual t
there is throued d prin- +
pie OF unity which embraces we'll S
lggh all the population" r
The book is replete with interest o
g details. Take for instance the b
'scription Of the four leading races a
hose territory he explored. the t.
inkas, Bongos, Mann iams and E
.onbuttoss. The Dinkas straighten 10,
cir hair by much combing and I
it a reddish tinge by wash n
with COW urine and aF
rtnight application Of a polnade b
imposed of dung and ashes. It is t,
terminate for the me to wear cloths it
d one who should do so would be Il
lied contemporary, 50 woman. 9,
aeir cookery is very nice; they eat
tn more decorum than even
.rks or Arabs; eating separately a. =.
d passing the dishes like Europe a
9. Dr.: Scheinfurth says, they "a -
* to knives and forks at his table,
if they had been bred to them. =
icy are fastidious in the selection y
their articles Of diet, besides be- :
great smokers and ardentlovers a,
cattle breeding which is their
ncipal % cupation. The Dyoots dl
'e.ght oring tribe, slu'e: each a. a.
Ter by mutual splitting. They T.
iroa work. rs, they 6sr, hunt ca