The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-07-15
A SOUTH AFRICAN KING.
PECULIAR METHODS or A RULER
WHO GOVERNS BLACKS.

The Dark Potentate, King LobenguIa of
/ MatabeIeiand, Whose Throne Is wag-
on-He Used to Wear European Dress,
but Has Discarded Il for a Sash.
A correspondent writes from Kimberley,
South Africa, concerning the country. A
very interesting account of the country of
Lobengula, which has been brought so de-
cidedly within the sphere of British infiu-
ence by the action of the chartered com
pany Of South Africa, was given to me re-
Gently by an Englishman who has been
some years in that district, and some Of the
particulars are such as will interest most
people having any connection with South
Africa.
4 Lobengula is man Of advanced ideas,
and is not likely to be first to create the
disasters of which he can realize the mag
lnitude. He is, however, preparing and
Strengthening his country for the fight IL
1t must come. Ruling over mixed popu.
llation, he is forcing 1t into united mass,
lIdoing all in his power to make the Ian
slguage one and the customs identical, and
; by enforcing equal and strict justice, max
! ing his name respected and his power eff
Elective. He Is flfty-six years of age, and,
, although what would be called fat among
Ilwhite men, is described as of very dignified
appearance and bearing.
n His conduct maintains his reputation,
and it is said he Is never to be seen in a
! Irage, but when either administering Justice
or meeting foreign ENJOYS always preserves
dignified composure and calm, cool de-
lmeanor. He is extremely temperate, and
altogether abstainS from spirits. Beer he
$ drinks, but when, as is not uncommon,
tfn1 ,lra ,f
G he always gives it to his wives His absti-
rlnence, however, does not save him from
the govt, from which he suffers greatly.
n TRAVELS IN AN OK CART.
: Before Lobenguln assembled the throne
he used European dress, and was in the
habit of travelling about the country with
a trader called Phillips, riding with him in
his wagon everywhere. Since he has been
q king he has entirely discarded white mans
l. clothes, and appears only with his bead
!. sash, encouraging his people to consider
u him wholly severed from European inhu
II ence. Life In wagon, however, still charm.
= him, and he continues always to dwell il
his OK cart as his palace.
From time to time he moves his head
s quarters, inspanning his oxen and goinl
e of without any warning If asked wher,
: he is going he replies, Follow my whee
tracks and see." This is probably partly
policy to prevent combinations against
! him, and partly early habit or imitation o.
his father, who did the same before him.
! Gubulawayo, the capital, situate abou
d 100 miles from Tati, may be taken as
t specimen of large kraal. In the center il
VI the kings wagon, and around 1t his wives
lie huts, all circular. built of mud bricks ant
rooted with reeds. Around the centra
; cluster Of huts is an open space OF grass 40
yards wide, and around this space are tn,
lhabitations Of the warriors-said to mum
-, Der 4,0O0-and their families; beyond these
n again, is the stockade, which is seyera
j. miles in length.
It II stranger approaches he will probabl,
a Ihud Lobengula, with six Of his Indians
It administering justice. Gases are brough
r from all parts of the country, and are for
I mally argued and judicially decided. Tn
!, lmdunas act as counsel for the parties, AM
y take technical points with an ingenuit,
i (which would do credit to British queen
counsel, and discuss and debate the case
Il with great eagerness
Il Indeed, In many ways the Matabele liti
gation is similar to cur own; for although
y the lndunas hercely urge the Claims of
client while the case lasts, their difference
la disappear the moment the kings decision
Us given. During the tendency of II case
:, moreover, the Indunas keep religiousl,
I! away from the parties concerned and thei
d friends; but as soon as the case is over the,
9. approach the successful or defeated part,
Ii. las If there had heen no dispute. The kin,
very prudently draws his assessors In turl
Il from various parts Of the country, AM
\ does not allow any set of men, from lon
I habit, to become his masters or too expert
4, l4nced advisers
~ The white man who comes upon thi
al scene will lie kept waiting till the dispute i
disposed Of, and so hot is the sun that h
will gladly avail himself even of the shad
of the meat rack flor there are no trees
In and try, by smoking, to avoid the file
IN (which his shelter brings him. When b
RI IS well received the king Will send him
ST Ibucketful of beer, which he is expected t
X drink, or if beer is scarce, meat to til
i, amount of sixteen platefuls, which Ii
~ must eat unless the kings back Is turned
~ when the traveller will hastily give POI
> lions to the black boys, who are ever ready
rd Lobengula's conduct to the traveller vii
to be courteous, but he is not easily to
taken in, being very shrewd. IL is his grea
misfortune that there are no means d
= . writing in his country. The concession
ofIwhich he has given, or is supposed to hay
hcIgiven, are written ont in English and AT
thenticated by the kings seal, which is II
elephant, but whether the document ~
curately represents, or represents ut al
what was intended by the grantor of tn
concession there is no means of ascertain
ing.
u TREATMENT OF HIS EMIssARIEs.
When Lobengula sent his mission I
England he selected as emissares one ma
who was relied upon for his eloquence, N
other who was remarkable for his powel
Of observation. In the language Of Il
country, one was the tongue the other Il
eyes and ears Of the king Their memoirs
were excellent, aud they brought bat
rs most picturesque descriptions OF the eoul
try they had seen London was like Il
u-0cean; man might walk, and walk. al
MS walk, and yet never get to the end of Il
houses.
If Englishmen were Killed, they reporte
NV for every drop Of blood in their bodies. II
other would spring up to take their place
but what most astouished them was ii
in telephone, They were placed a mile apa
and talked together, Alterward they d
zee lclared that they could imagine such m
nwIthine might talk English, but how it cou
-