Dictionary has been collected. Both have already been productive of good, and have given an impulse to the study of the language and to attempts to writing in the same, not only to native teachers, but also to others, and to mercantile agents in the Upper Niger. Natives also have been stirred up and begin to learn to read our books. The Rev. Mr. John, in his last letter, told me of two Mahommedan Mallams, who came to him to inquire after our Christian books, and expressing a wish to learn to read them in our Roman type. The Primer, with an Arabic transcript of the first Lessons, was shown them. They were delighted with it, and acquired a knowledge of our Alphabet in a very short time.

I have had fellow-labourers in this work. Contributions from the Rev. Mr. John, at Lokoja, will be found; and from Mr. G. A. Krause, in Tripoli. I have not published all the latter has sent me, though I had his permission to do so. There is a prospect that he may do it himself ere long, and prosecute the linguistic labours for which he is so eminently qualified in those regions. His labours are of special value, as he notices deviations in dialects from Katshina. Our correspondence has been long, voluminous, free, candid, and friendly

throughout, and mutually beneficial, and I cannot but consider it a privilege to have been connected in this way with that distinguished scholar of African languages for several years. My sincere thanks for his continued, disinterested labours and communications are now tendered to him; and the wish expressed that they may be continued, more especially as he is proceeding to the Niger.

What Koelle says of his Bornu literature or narratives, "that they are not compositions," is true of the narratives here given in the Hausa language: they have been collected from the lips of the people, faithfully committed to paper, and analysed afterwards. As to their import when read in an English translation, it may be feared that some of them will appear trivial, and hardly worth the trouble of translating; it is therefore necessary to bear in mind that the language of the original is the main object of publication, and, of course, also to facilitate an acquisition of a knowledge of it. On the other hand, I can assure the reader that almost every story contributes something as regards forms or words peculiar to itself. At the same time, I cannot but think that many will find the book interesting and entertaining, sometimes even amusing. The Life and Travels of

Dorugu supply many geographical hints, and will be read with interest. His observations on English cookery, dinner parties and customs, show a shrewd and observing mind. The narratives exhibit the native way of thinking and arguing, they lead us into the secrets of family and public life; we learn something of slavery, of the state, quarrels and disputes occasioned by the institution of polygamy, condemning the system in their popular songs and traditions; of their views of heaven and hell, sun, moon and stars; also the love of money, so characteristic of the Negro race; much of human cunning, and especially in women. It is also interesting to know that what education there exists among the people is conveyed by narratives of this kind; young and old assembling on moonlight nights entertaining one another by telling stories, often to a late hour in the night; we find even a few examples where grammatical exercises are attempted. Many of the stories will be interesting to children.

I have mentioned above that no translations have been introduced. The only exception is that at the very beginning of the book, the thirteenth chapter of the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, the Song of Songs, as it has been called, of the New Testament, at the head of all

Hausa songs. Translations have been made of the New Testament and portions of the Old. I hope I have succeeded in giving the sense of Scripture correctly-of so much I am sure, that there is not much that will mislead, but it is not always given in the most suitable words. In many instances those words have not yet been found. There is much uncertainty as regards the names of animals, plants, implements, etc. A translation cannot take the lead in a language; it can only employ the material as far as it has been brought to the surface and reduced to form in Vocabularies, etc. The Hausa language is not yet fully reduced; new discoveries will be made, and have been made since the Dictionary was published in 1876, of a very large number of words and phrases. If time and opportunities should present themselves, I should be able to improve the translations. But the years behind me do not encourage the hope of many more to come. Others will come, labourers will be sent into the Lord's vineyard, and to them I would commit my translations with a few remarks. The translations can be improved, and must be improved: time will furnish the materials for it. Let no one say, as regards them, or, I may say, as regards any translation into a hitherto unwritten language

"Thus it is written," and thus it must remain; on the contrary, change, not for the sake of changing, but wherever you can improve the sentence, change. Luther did the same. His German translation of the Bible passed through many editions during his lifetime; every new edition was an advance on the preceding one; and had he been able to edit many more he would have found matter for alterations, for even to this day the work is not perfect.