AN AFRICAN LION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 841, 31 May 1878, Page 3

AN AFRICAN LION.

Mr Stanley is just how tho rage in all the London drawing rooms. Duchesses and dames of high degree exercise themselves grievously to got him to accept their invitations, and no party or reception is complete without him. From his outward appearance he seems excessively bored by the whole thing, most of all by bis own shirt collar and white tie. Ho is certainly not at home in civilised society. As a general rule lie talks little, if at all; to a direct quest ion lie often vouchsafes no reply, except at a long interval as if he had been waiting 'for an interpreter, and was not certain whether he was addressed in hia own or some other tongue. His is not hj pleasant face. Hard and determined, with a black look in tho eyes which would augur ill for the peace and comfort of anyone who stood in his way ; yet his followers were dcvotcly attached to him, and no stronger proof could he given of the high faculties of leadership which ho possesses than tho way he imbued halfsavage blacks with his own adventurous and indomitable spirit. Those who observe him minutely must ho struck by tlio prominence of his eyeballs, an artificial growth, it is said, due to tho constant necessity for being on the alert, they stand so forward, in fact, that at tho same time lie can see to right and left, as well as to iho front. Another curious fact is that his skin, although tanned a deep olive brown, is yet ns absolutely smooth and umvrinklcd as a glove. This is to bo attributed probably to his uniform diet for nearly three whole years on vegetables and fruit. When in private, in the chosen company of a few intimates, he will launch out, however, talking, describing, gesticulating, for hours together. Ho is quite enthusiastic of course, as to tho future value of his discoveries, and declares, very pertinently, that half the money wasted on Arctic exploration would suffice to'open up the vast regions of this newly discovered land.