xiv INTRODUCTION

measured at the time. The publisher is courageously

kind to allow this to reach the public.

The maps, which I have already published in the

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, are the

results of prismatic compass sketches. As they

closed well, I do not think they will be found

very inaccurate. At the time of making, they were

the only ones, of the localities, in existence.

In conclusion, I hope that no incidents in this

volume will give offence, for none is meant. The

conditions criticised have in many cases considerably

altered ; in others they were but passing shadows on

the fair surface of an administration which has scarcely

an equal. I have studiously avoided giving names,

where I thought that perhaps the hero of an anecdote

would prefer it ; so that if A or B recognises himself,

I hope he will be generous and forgive if he thinks

that what is put down would be better left alone, as

he knows that only those who already know the story

will be able to fix names.

A word as to the title. It claims a great deal

;

with what poor justification the reader will decide.

I feel that I have been sounding my own trumpet,

though I can honestly say I have embroidered nothing

intentionally. As, however, my Western District

(Bahr el Ghazal) became known as " Utopia Un-

limited," from my descriptions of it to one of the

j oiliest mess I was ever a member of, I may be accused

of taking a rosy view of things.