4 INTRODUCTORY

So the cloud of misrule was dispersed ; on every

artery, at the seat of each nerve, came the grasp of

the white man, who rules for his people and not for

himself, and whose endeavours are devoted to

making his people peaceful, contented, prosperous,

developing them materially and mentally.

How different the conditions in the Sudan to

those in most parts of South Africa I Yet they have

to some extent their parallel. Few would say that

the Sudan is a territory which a white man, barring

the misanthrope, would wish to make the home of

his lifetime. But the same might be urged of the

Karroo, which is not obviously interesting. The most important factor is the climate, for few places

are free from malaria, and there is not generally the

range of altitude which is a boon to South Africa.

Moreover, the water-supply is aggravating in its

partiality and the extremes of its fluctuations, being

in quantity either too much or too little, and the

water obtainable in useful quarters is mostly

bespoken for Egypt. In time this will be regulated by the undertaking of works which will distribute

the water which now goes to waste in morasses.

The direction of effort in the Sudan will lie as much in the way of developing the country's

resources by its inhabitants for its inhabitants

as by Europeans for Europeans ; but no mean

element in this endeavour lies in the need of educa-

tion of the native to overcome indolence, and to

discard ancient and inefficient methods and appli-

ances.