198 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

Arabic, and he can also speak several African languages besides his own. He has a keen eye for the main chance, and will never lose for want of . begging. His great aim and object is self-aggrandisement. He wishes to make Uganda the greatest country in the world, and himself the mightiest monarch, and he thinks that the presence of -) Europeans at his court will add to his prestige and increase his wealth. He is always glad to welcome a traveller, because he is another pigeon to be plucked. He quite understands that Europeans are acquainted with many things of which he is ignorant, and he wishes to acquire as much of this knowledge as possible, and also to employ their skill in procuring arms and ammunition, believing that the secret of a nation's greatness consists in the amount of the munitions of war which it possesses : and with this view he bullies all European travellers, to try and induce them to give, make, or procure these objects of his desire for him. It is this also that has made him wish to have Europeans settle in the country. He is a thorough man of the world, and when he pleases can be as courteous and gentlemanly as any of our own aristocracy. He takes an intelligent interest in a wide range of subjects, and will discuss for hours abstruse points in theology, political economy, or philosophy. He is intensely fickle, and never knows his own mind for two clays together, and like a spoilt child is always wanting a