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 Unlimited," 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.