in any other shape than gold coin. Letters of credit, circular
notes, and such civilized things I have found to be a century
ahead of Zanzibar people.

Twenty and twenty-five cents deducted out of every dollar I drew
on paper is one of the unpleasant, if not unpleasantest things I
have committed to lasting memory. For Zanzibar is a spot far
removed from all avenues of European commerce, and coin is at a
high premium. A man may talk and entreat, but though he may have
drafts, cheques, circular notes, letters of credit, a carte blanche
to get what he wants, out of every dollar must, be deducted twenty,
twenty-five and thirty cents, so I was told, and so was my
experience. What a pity there is no branch-bank here!

I had intended to have gone into Africa incognito. But the fact
that a white man, even an American, was about to enter Africa was
soon known all over Zanzibar. This fact was repeated a thousand
times in the streets, proclaimed in all shop alcoves, and at the
custom-house. The native bazaar laid hold of it, and agitated it
day and night until my departure. The foreigners, including the
Europeans, wished to know the pros and cons of my coming in and
going out.

My answer to all questions, pertinent and impertinent, was, I am
going to Africa. Though my card bore the words

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| HENRY M. STANLEY. |
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