PICTURESQUE TEWFIKIEH 197 sideration. And seeing what was accomplished years ago by Belgium in the Lado Enclave reached, not by the waterway, but across continent —one falls to considering why the Sudan is behind.

Tightness of money there is, but vast sums are spent at Khartoum, as in the building of an enormous embankment, a tithe of the cost of which might well mean the saving of lives up the country if expended in that direction. Still, yearly improvement is being made in this matter under skilled direction, and it is to be hoped that not a long time will elapse before all the important stations are provided with healthy and satisfactory housing.

Tewfikieh was founded by Baker, and has consistently, but perhaps not altogether wisely, been continued as a station for troops. Doubtless the great explorer was attracted by the high bank and the grove of palm-trees, but it has the fatal defect of having swamps quite adjacent. There are few places which have not, however, and so much money has been spent of recent years in buildings that probably, unless heroic measures be taken, the choice will be perpetuated. The adjacent irrigation base is more fortunately situated.

Many Shilluks stroll around, and one or two young men come up to enter into con\'ersation. They are amiable, but incoherent, their Arabic being faulty, and it is to be feared that they have become accustomed to see the tourists who travel from Khartoum to Gondokoro and back, and find