334 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

surprised. As I have stated in another place, my firm conviction is that until the demand for slaves ceases, means will be found to supply it. So long as Colonel Gordon remained as Governor-General slave-hunting was kept in check ; but by his retirement the great barrier was removed, and gangs of slaves began again to pour into Lower Egypt. In the Equatorial Provinces much has been accomplished : the traffic in slaves, which in that portion of the Egyptian possessions was in full vigour before Colonel Gordon undertook the government, has now entirely ceased. The chain of stations formed by him (connecting one part of the country with another) form centres round which the negro population clusters. Letters written from Lado in July of this year, inform me that the stations themselves are in good order ; while Lado, the chief town of the province, has much increased in size, and is being rebuilt of brick houses. The negro chiefs are living at peace among themselves, and in friendly relations with the Egyptian Government.

The gardens round the stations are flourishing; European plants, flowers, and vegetables are becoming acclimatised ; indigo, rice, and other cereals are being largely cultivated; ostrich farming is being introduced ; and the country, instead of being given over to the ravages of slave-dealers, with all the horrors which followed in their train, is now peaceful and contented. This state of things is mainly