Back to Album belonging to Colonel F F Colvin 9L (1860-1936). Contains newspaper cuttings and paper ephemera
Photographs
Item 0027
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| Accession number | 912L : 2124/6 |
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| Transcription |
gained I THE LIBRARY . aloo amor 8 Wasthib TRI SPORT AND TRAVEL IN THE SOUDAN . The Wild Tribes of the Soudan . An account of Travel and Sport , chiefly in the Basé country : being personal experiences and adventures during three winters spent in the Soudan . By F. L. James , M.A. , F.R.G.S. London : Jolm Murray . 1883 , 8vo . , plates and maps . TH THE recent disastrous Egyptian campaign in the Soudan , involving the almost certain loss of English officers and well - known writers , and with the added fears of a consequent general Mahomedan rising , will probably have the effect of directing public attention largely to the book now under notice . It should therefore at once be stated that , luokily for the author and his companions , they never came within reach of the False Prophet or his followers ( their furthest point west being some 370 miles as the crow flies from El Obeid , the stronghold of the Mahdi ) , and that there is nothing in the account of their experiences immediately bearing on the subject of the present state of political affairs in Upper Egypt . Nevertheless , in the dearth of accessible informa tion on the Soudan , the descriptions given by Mr James of the nature of the country visited , and of the manners and customs of its people , will probably be read with great interest ; and the extraordi nary number and excellent execution of his illustrations ( mostly from photographs ) give an additional value to his personal narrative .. The term Soudan or Sudan ( the spelling of which varies , as in Sonakim , Khartoum , Darfour , & c . , according to the habit of the individual writer in rendering the sound " ou , " " , " or " oo " ) is somewhat vague . Strictly speaking , the Soudan , which is the true home of the Negro races , stretches from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Guinea , south of the Sahara , but with no definite southern boundary line of its own . But the term , in its present and most usual sense , is only applicable to the Egyptian or Eastern Soudan , the Western Soudan being roughly represented by Senegambia and other Fulah States , and the Central Soudan by the negro kingdoms of Bornu , Baghirmi , and Wadai . The Egyptian Soudan itself is scarcely capable of precise definition , and practically represents , at all events in its north , the old Nubia and Dongola , as well as Darfur , Kordofan , and Senaar , reaching to Abyssinia on the east and the modern Provinces of the Equator ( which reach the Albert Nyanza ) on the south . It has long been a complaint that an official cartographical representation of this most interesting country has been withheld by the Egyptian authorities ; and it is only quite recently that the Intelligence Department of our own War Office ( which is very far from being so indifferent on such points as ignorant pessimists assert ) has issued a map of it , on the scale of about 35 miles to the inch , which is , we believe to be had of Stanford . Mr James's present personal experiences are confined to the extreme eastern end of the Egyptian Soudan , to the east of the Atbara affluent of the Nile . In 1878 he ascended the Nile and Atbara , reaching Tomat , near the Abyssinian frontier ; and in 1881 he penetrated into Northern Abyssinia vid Massowa and Keren ; so that , in these days of pretentious tourists ' books , his apology for writing seems quite uncalled for . Certainly , if all other English independent gentlemen who delight in sport , and who travel far and wide in search of it , were to take even a moderate proportion of the trouble that this particular one has , in order to bring home plain statements of facts and accurate representations of strange scenes , the world would be much the wiser . Mr James's object , apart from sport , was to explore the country of the Basé , Bazen , or Kunama tribe , as yet entirely unknown . This lies south - east of Cassula , and is usually vaguely given as between the Khor - el - Gash and Setit or Settite rivers , near the north - western boundary of Abyssinia . These people had a very evil reputation , and their country was considered by Egyptian authorities to be quite inaccessible ; nevertheless , the author is in a position to record that with a little tact and care they can be converted into friends . The gentlemen of England who live at home at ease , " and perhaps half - listlessly read notises or accounts in the columns of The Field of the sporting excursions of their more energetic or more wealthy fellows , are probably for the most part little aware of the risk , expense , and hardships attending those journeys . Taking the present trip , for instance , one wonders what sort of a romance could easily have been indited on its facts by an excitable Italian or French scribe ( if he survived the work ) . Mr James draws no special attention to his difficulties , and avoids adjectives and general comment almost with the proverbial insular phlegm . Nevertheless , putting aside the great pecuniary outlay , he and his companions had to undergo extremes of heat , dangers of all kinds from lions and buffaloes , attack by marauders , native treachery , want of water , fever , and other ills of travellers in wild countries . One of the party ( luckily not one of the principals ) actually dies from dysentery , and another succumbs after frighful agony to the wounds received during a sudden onslaught by wandering Arabs in overwhelming numbers . Reading Mr James's quiet ( and , indeed , in parts somewhat dull ) narrative , one cannot but be struck with a sort of pride that Englishmen still love danger for her own sake 2 still love almost . al doar ofldw Leaving Suez in December , 1881 , Mr James's party , consisting of himself and his two brothers , Messrs Aylmer , Colvin , and Lort Phillips , with a doctor and servants , landed at Souakim ( better written Swakim ) in the rainy season , and struck south west to Cassala by the telegraph route.Very soon they found that game was less common than a few years ago , though gazelle and ariel were seen a day or two after leaving the coast . At Fillig , just before reaching Cassala , gazelles of three species , bustards , and guinea fowl afforded abundant sport , and a lion was reported . Elephants were also tracked on the Gash , three days beyond Cassala , and the ground was in one place literally covered with sand grouse , packed so closely together that it seemed impossible for another bird to wedge itself in . In other places guinea fowl swarmed , the ground near Om Hagar on the Settite being covered with them for almost six miles . Hartebeest , koodoo , and other antelopes , buffaloes , ostriches , giraffes , rhinoceros , elephant , and hippopotamus , were all seen and nearly all actually shot , some in considerable numbers ; whilst panthers and lions were also often shot at and sometimes killed . The Hamran country was found to have been so frequently shot over by Europeans of late years as to have very little game left , the sport on the Settite being nothing like as good as it was four years ago . Nevertheless , the present expedition cannot be considered otherwise than successful , especially when it is remembered that European and native natural history and menagerie collectors , as well as hunters , permanently work in the region . Details of shooting incidents are so much alike inter se , that we may pass over the experiences of Mr James and his friends , with the sole remark that they had quite the average hairbreadth escapes.from buffaloes , if not more than usual . nine One point may be worth noting : On the first time of trying conical instead of spherical bullets in his 10 - bore rifle , the concussion caused by firing the right - hand barrel was so great that the left - hand hammer was sent off by the jar , with the result of 14 drachms of powder and a good 6oz . of lead kicking off the shoulder simultaneously , nearly deafening the shooter as well as almost knocking him down . Exactly the same thing occurred to his brother a few days later , and from a similar cause . Among the scattered hints for inexperienced travellers , may be mentioned the benefit derived from thick pads of cotton wadding quilted , a good inch or more thick , and buttoned into the coat so as to protect the spine from sun - stroke . That some precautions were needed is obvious from the registered heat of 164 ° Fahr .; nevertheless , about dawn , the thermometer was seen down to 37 ° , and on the Mareb ( evidently the upper course of the Gash ) the nights were very cold , with a thick wet fog in the morning that did not lift till bill nearly ni o'clock . Before dismissing the subject of sport , it should be mentioned that excellent fishing was obtained in the Settite . Two fish of 41b . and 71b . were caught with spinning bait , and one of 41b . with salmon - fly , at the first time of asking ; and good supplies resulted from the use of a seine , which the party brought , as well as a Berthon boat ( the latter highly successful ) . The very first haul produced twenty - five fish , weighing 861b . in all , the heaviest being 71b . The spoon bait was afterwards found killing with the " kelb el - bahr , " a most ferocions fish resembling a salmon , and very sporting , fighting to the last gasp ; most sport , however , was afforded by the " baggar , " which is very good eating , most delicate in flavour , and running to 241b . A kind of Silurus was very plentiful , the largest caught weighing 35lb . di inde wood of Interesting particulars are given by Mr James of the Basé race , who appear to be eminently unattractive in themselves . The first one met with , who could not escape , evidently expected to be instantly killed , and stood trembling like an aspen leaf . They are the very feat evidently considerably behind the neighbouring tribes in degree of civilisation , being not only objects of dread to these latter , but also very much afraid of them in turn . Their villages are small collec tions of conical - roofed huts , perched on the sides of hills , near the top , and as such places are often covered with enormous boulders of granite , which they utilise to the best of their small ability , they have been reported to live in holes in the ground . As an instance of their degraded condition and habits , Mr James notes that he actually saw one of them pare off bits of hide from his sandals and eat them , an epicurean fellow tribesman preparing his pieces of leather by pounding them with a stone . Such particulars as could be obtained are given with regard to their extent , distribution and customs ( " there is very little doubt that they are without religion and have no God " ) , and a solid contribution to our knowledge of this dark country is afforded by a map of it by Mr W. D. James , assisted by Mr Aylmer , from astronomical observations regularly taken , and from a route map kept up every day with sextant and prismatic compass . This map , which is on the scale of 23 miles to the inch , reflects credit on all concerned in its preparation , and is accompanied by two other maps , showing routes , & c . Of the woodcut illustrations , it is difficult to speak too highly in many respects . There are no less than forty of them , full page , mostly from photographs , engraved in New York by those American artists on wood , to whose skill The Field has so often borne testimony ; there are also six etchings , from photographs or sketches by Mr Colvin . These would have given a lasting ethno graphical and geographical value to the book , even if it were not descriptive of a country hitherto practically unknown : and some of them will astonish by the beauty of the scenery which they evidently reproduce with fidelity . no boste en bred phawol We note some few accidental errors which might be corrected " Guinea foul , in a future edition ; " enciente " ( for enceintes ) " Adamsonia , " Buzaros Abassinicus ' ( Buceros abyssinicus ) , and other obvious slips . The printer , by the way , has often refused cercopithecus , the author capitals for genera such as such " Redunca wrongly put them to specific names ( Redunca , moreover , is an obsolete name , Cobus Ellipsiprymna being now accepted ) .cd qui asboow edt of dest gaised zodial " " " and as Absord ook via inqda " " IDIOMATIC ENGLISH . Monsieur Alphonse , a visitor to England , and eager to master our language , has put together the following rhymes to assist his memory : It is wrong to say catched , Since the word should be caught ; Hence it cannot be snatched , But is certainly snaught . Though in favour of teached , One's compelled to say taught ; Yet a sermon is preached , When it ought to be praught . Metals never are wrached , But are carefully wrought ; So it follows that patched Must in strictness be pought . " " NINTH QUEEN'S ROYAL LANCERS . REGIMENTAL RACES . UMBALLA , SATURDAY 12TH JANUARY 1884 . MAJOR SCOTT CHISHOLME . MR . LITTLE . MAJOR THE HON'BLE H. LEGGE , Honorary Secretary . JUDGE , MAJOR APPERLEY . STARTER , MR . MARSHALL . CLERK OF THE SCALES , MR . FORSYTHE . 1ST RACE - 3 P. M. - The Lancer Chase ( Regimental Race ) . Value Rs . 48. For all ponies . 13-2 and under . 13-2 to carry 11st 7lbs . 4lbs . allowed for every inch under . Winners once 51bs , twice 10lbs . , three times or oftener 14lbs . extra . If Arabs ruu Country breds a lowed 7lbs . 1 mile . 1. Mr. Colvin's 2. Mr. Duff's 3. Mr. Jenner's 4. Mr. Jenner's STEWARDS . gc.b.m. Grisette , ch.c.b.p. Real Jam , b.c.b.m. Marie , ch.a.p. Scimitar , che.b.m Parmesan , 5. Major Legge'a C. B. 6. Major Scott Chisholme's b.c.b.m. Some Day , Crimson , blue sleeves & cap , 2ND RACE . - 3-30 P. M. - The Regimental Cup . Value Bs . 190. Presented by Lt. - Col . Bushman , A Steeplechase for all horses bona fide the property of Officers of the Ninth Lancers , C. W. A. C. raised 2 st 7 lbs . Winners of a Steeplechase or Hurdle Race once 7lbs . , twice or oftener 14 lbs . extra . Horses that have never started allowed 7 lbs . 2 miles . 1. Mr. Colvin's ch.w.g. Malabar , 11-4 Yellow , blue sleeves , blk . cap , Owner , b.w.m. 11-4 Black , crimson belt , bl.w.m. Beeswing , Blue Bell , Miss G. Whalebone , 2. Mr. Duff's Connie , do . 11-4 French grey and cardinal , do . 3. Mr. Jenner's do . 4 Major Legge's b w.m. b.w.m. 11.4 Blue , white sleeves , 11.4 do . 5. Major Gough's Mr. Little . 6. Major Scott Chisholme'sb.c.b g . 9.4 Crimson , blue sleeves & cap , 3RD RACE . - 4 P. M. - The Boojum Stakes ( Open Race ) . Value Rs . 48. For all ponies 13-2 and under . 13-2 to cariy 11 st . 7 lbs . Penalties and allowances as in No. 1. mile . 1. Mr. Reid's gc.b.m. Jessie , 11-5 Cerise and French grey , Owner . b.c.b.m. Beatrice , br.c.b.g. The Pig , b.c.b m . Flora , br.a.p. Snuff , b.c.b.m. Paragon , 2. Mr. Gordon's 11-0 Blue , straw sleeves , do . do . 3. Mr. Duff's do . 4. Mr. Jenner's Mr. Little , 5. Lord W. Beresford's 6. Mr. Willett's 7. Captain Bather's 8. Captain Bather's 9. Mr. Briggs's bl.c.b.m. Blue Rock , b.c b.p. Boniface , b.c.b.m. Lady Flo , 10. Major Blake Humfrey's g.c.b.m. Blue Bell , MAJOR GOUGH . MR . JENNER . 1. Mr. Colvin's 2. Mr. Duff's 10.10 Yellow , blue sleeves blk . cap , Owner . 11-0 Black crimson belt , 11-5 French grey & cardinal , 12-3 French grey and cardinal , do . do . do . 11-0 Blue , white sleeves , 11 do . do . 11-0 Black , crimson belt , 10-6 French grey and cardinal , 10.5 Black and white , 11-5 French grey , primrose belt & cap , Major Chisholme .. 10-0 Brown birdseye , 11-0 Brown birdseye , 11-0 Red , blue belt and cap . Owner . 10-2 Black , yellow belt and cap , Do. 4TH RACE . -4-30 P. M. - The Adelaide Stakes ( Regimental Race ) .- Value Rs . 80 For all Horses that have never started . A Winner of any Regimeutal Kace excluded . C. W. A. C. raised 2 st . 7lbs . 1 mile . do . 3. Mr. Reynard's b.w.g. g.w.g. 4. Major Gough's 5. Major Scott Chisholme's b . c.b.g. b.w.g. Bosphorus , 11-11 Yellow , blue sleeves blk . cap , Owner . ch.c.b.m. Lady Jane , 9-11 Black crimson belt , The Informer , 11-11 Brown blue sleeves , brown cap do . Sugar Plum , 11-11 do . Whalebone , 9-11 Crimson , black cap , Mr. Little . 6. Major Scott Chisholme'sbr.w.g . Sorcerer , 11-11 Crimson , blue sleeves & cap , Owner . 5TH RACE . - 5 P. M. - The Scurry , ( Regimental Race ) .- Value Rs . 48. For all C. B. Ponies , 13-2 and under that have never won a race . Catch weights over 11 st . mile . 1. Mr. Duff's Black , crimson belt , Owner . Brown jacket , blue sleeves , brown cap , French grey and cardinal , 2. Mr. Reynard's b.c.b.m. Polly , w.c.b.m. Fluke , rn c.b.p. do . 3 , Mr. Jenner's 4. Major Scott Chisholme's g.c.b.g. Temptation , Crimson , blue sleeves and cap , H , LEGGE , MAJOR , Honorary Secretary . The Empress Press , Umballa . 1 do . do . |
