EPILOGUE 503 a happy life ; not only would he win riches for himself and add to the wealth of his native country, but he would also aid in bringing about what, in my opinion, is the noblest of all possible ambitions, the amelioration of the lot of his fellow- creatures, for to make them better and happier is to share in the work of God Himself.

So logical is this reasoning, that my only wonder is why those who have the good of humanity at heart have not thought of it before myself.

is not our French Sudan just such a fertile colony as is well suited for playing a part in what I ma}- call the future social policy of France ? I can answer that question in a very few words, I have visited the lower course of the ri\er, with the districts under the control of the Roj-al Niger Compan>-, and I can confidently assert that except for palm-oil, which is only to be obtained on the seaboard, none of the exports, gum, india-rubber, ivor>', and above all, karile. are wanting in the French Sudan. In fact, we have all these things in greater quantities than the English, without counting the products peculiar to ourdistricts,butunknown at the mouth of the river.