The Republican journal., 1892-09-08
En- Route to The Congo.

we reported DIT tne lllle Ulle ucpdlIule
of Mr. Winfield Macomber, son of MI. and
Mrs. c. O. Macomber, of this city, for
Africa, where he is to engage in mission
airy work Last week we reported the safe
arrival of himself and party at the Congo,
and we now give extracts from letter re-
ceived by his parents, which will be read
by many with interest.
On BOARD STEAMER MATAoI.
June 10Th, 1892.
We are nearing the Congo; shall be
there in few days, and | must write you
before arriving, as we shall be very busy
then.
A voyage. of course is monotonous. The
ports that we call at are very much the
same. Seven days out from England we
stopped at Canary Islands-a Portuguese
settlement. 1t is q beautiful place and is
considered the healthiest climate in the
| world. there being no extremes of temper
allure: in fact. it remains about the same
the whole year round.
We got here some fresh bananas,
etc. You could not imagine what diff
ference there would be in these fruits
fresh from the trees. They seem to be
just bursting with richness 1t was quite
treat after eating so much meat contin-
ually.
They took some small cattle aboard.
| l.. / 1>,- ~ ~; 90
mules and horses by broad band of can
vas under their bodies. They are swung
out in the air, with legs dangling and
looking much confused aud frightened.
Passengers are lowered to the boats in a
large wicker chair-a novel experience,
yet quite comfortable.
A few more days and we landed at Sierra
Leone, the first port ON the coast OF
Africa. 1t is called the ''Whiteman' S
Grave" so many have passed away from
there. We visited the graves of two young
men from Maine, Warren Harris and
Frank Yates
Capt. Walsh is very genial man and
enjoys taking us ashore to surprise his
friends. He marched the whole rs of us
in on the Consul, very nice old gentle
man, who was delighted to see so many
white faces He refreshed us with Eng
lish breakfast tea. There are some mis-
sionaries at work here EpiscopaD. They
accomplish but very little. immortality
prevails to an alarming extent We met
here four of our London party, who know
ING we were coming. came down some 40
miles to see us. They are in good health
and spirits and speak of the natives as
very friendly and hospitable
Farther down the coast we come to
Bonny, where there is large sci. sup
porting mission station under native
preachers. The native children sang
hymns for us-three parts well sustain
ed. 1t was excellent, and very touching
Here we visited for the first time a real
village of mud hlts with grass roofs.
Swarms of children and crowds of men
and women gathered around us-the lat
ter seeming more like children than adults.
They We're in just an extacy of delight at
seeing such party of white folks. and
screamed with laughter at the least thing.
Some of the boys We're greatly amused at
my small stature and whiskers: for have
a full. heavy. black beard
At Fernando Pc. We found nice
station. The house is built up nine feet
from the ground. with a hall right through
and large rooms on each side. The out
side is of corrugated galvanized iron and
the inside sheathed the whole on iron pill
lars The family. very nice Scotch Pres
byterians, were glad to welcome us.
We had the most pleasant experience Of
the voyage when we went I'D the river to
Old Calubur. We found two strong
stations, with large houses. schools.
churches, etc. They were buildinga house
for their printing office. We We're royal
ly entertained there. They owned a steam
launch. and took US on two excursions ND
the river. 1t seemed so nice to meet such
congenial friends. There is bond of
sympathy which binds missionaries of all
denominations together
| am feeling very well, indeed; have
not noticed the change of climate in the
least, either in strength or the heat We
are supposed to return home but once in
seven years, but if ones bodily condition
is unit for the climate, they are sent
home on a physicians certificate of their
condition.
Pray much for your boy; there are
trials here never known in America.
Much love to all,
WINFIELD MACoMBER
News of the Oranges.