The sun., 1903-05-17
worship was conducted in their own lam

wofeMp was oououclou III Vno" o"A 'o
guage.
The wonder OF 1t all is that this building,
from foundation TO dome. was built by
natives who, before Livingstone went among
them, had never seen white man. Ihe
structure Ii the outcome Of long training
in the building arts under the guidance OF
the Missionary Scot of Blantyre. who
seems to have a genius for evoking the
very best Of which the natives are capable.
In one OF his recent books. Sir Harry
johnson. who was the agent OF the British
Government in establishing the Protec-
torate of British Central Africa, advised
all visitors to that region who were in the
habit at home of observing the usual social
conventions to take with them the attire
which they wear on social occasions IN
Europe He said they would he very
uncomfortable IL they we're to appear at
dinner or an evening reception in Blantyre
in their ordinary travelling dress or every
day costume
They would possibly feel themselves
little out OF place, too, il they were to appear
at church service in Blantyre in the gar
ments which are usually supposed to be
appropriate for all occasions In the African
wilderness. Our coffee planter, for ex-
ample. wrote that the congregation were
attired in such clothing as they would wear
on a Sunday in Scotland
Some of the men turned out in black coats,
light trousers. top hats, patent Leather
boots, white spats and brown gloves; ana
the women wore silk blouses and cloth
skirts, with all the furbelows and puffs
and pnchings and swellings which were
the height Of fashion in London two months
earlier. In fact, the Blantyre settlers have
an almost pathetic desire to keep in touch
with civilization.
In a list Of hints as TO the outfit that should
be provided for British Central Africa, a
recent writer says that the evening dress
which is usually worn by the employees Of
the Government there consists OF an ordi-
nary dress coat, white shirt. white tie, dress
waistcoat of yellow cloth, with brass but
tons and black trousers He says also that
a short evening coat without tails he
probably means Tuxedo--is often worn.
Gayety has it's share in the life Of the
settlers The town has far outgrown the
strait-laced regime even II the missionaries
who founded the place ever sought to i'm
not a few prosperous planters, Govern
{ mpuJ OFFICIALS dllI Sielhn, doCloio,
chants the agents Of the African Lakes
Company, with it's fleet Of steamers, and
others who believe in enjoying life as they
find it and provide considerable diversion
| They have little mild horse-racing
now and then. and shooting competitions
l They get up smoking concerts in the court
house and big bazars in aid Of school build
ing, or other worthy enterprises Of the place
Nearly everybody's wife is with him. and
as some Of the women have fine musical
talent. really excellent music is provided
/ at the occasional concerts, which are among
| the leading social functions.
Some Of the planters coming into Blan'
tyre never think OF going to tie hotel-
! for they are members of the club, and bed.
rooms are provided for them in that com
modious building, Books and newspapers
abound in the club library, but one Of the
chief drawbacks Of the place after all. Il
the lack Of fresh local news; for though
there is a weekly newspaper, it seems very
slow to those who are accustomed to daily
newspaper. The result Is that Blantyre
10 always a hotbed OF gossip and rumort
from all parts Of the Protectorate, which