6 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

august majesty took place among distinguished

people at home, and whether everybody was not

talking of the greatness of his power. We replied

that doubtless in future Europeans would know

more about him, but as yet they were in a state

of pitiable ignorance as to where Uganda was.

Mr. Stanley had been so kind as to give a letter

to Mr. Pearson for Mtesa, which was then read,

but it was cut short by the king, who said that he

had seen Stanley, and at the same time exhibited

great impatience to see what presents we had

brought for him. These were brought in by his

people, and handed round for inspection. The chiefs

examined them with considerable minuteness, and

all expressed their delight at the quantity and

quality of the presents.

When all had been duly criticised they were

carried out, and, after an inquiry as to whether we

had enough to eat, the king gave the signal for the

audience to terminate, saying that he would soon

send for us to see him again. Thereupon we arose,

and, after bowing profoundly, retired from the audi-

ence chamber, followed by the chiefs. As soon as we were well outside the palace we were introduced

to the judge, or prime minister ; his native title is

Katikiro. He is a fair-spoken man, who was at

one time the king's cook, but is now his chief

minister, thus exemplifying in those outlandish

regions the possibility, on which we English so