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 audience 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