THE WILES OF THE AFRICANS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2659, 27 July 1889, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE WILES OF THE AFRICANS.

A Liverpool correspondent writes : —The West African in his native perfection is admitted to be a creature from whom little or no harm need be expected ; but the crude education which the philantrophy of Europe has enabled him to obtain is said to be developing a propensity which is taxing in many instances the wits of some commercial houses in England. The modus operandi of the»e wily but imperfectly educated Africans is to send broadcast over England unstamped letters addressed to firms whose names have in some way or other come to their knowledge. Usually these epUtles are couched in the most flattering language in the vocabulary of the native, but the mixing up of terms and words makes them curiosities in the art of letter-writ-ing. A well-known Liverpool firm on Saturday Wt received the followirsr appeal, though iu this letter the Africau had departed from the: usual custom and stamped the letter: —" Dear sir,—Grasping this opportunity so far in hand, I dei.Mii it with extreme necessary to bring this note under your gentle knowledge simple article of mind. On hearing that you are a. most distinguished merchant among all the traders of Liverpool, ani consider the vast services you rendered to the firm over which you preside '.vil.li ho much honour to yourself and satisfaction to those who are placed under your authority. I cannot but feel bliss that if your kindness may smile on me to have an agreement together in dealing with me iu any kind of good*, provisions, and other kind of articles you shall require. Should you iu doing that, I shall unhestitaediy send you somemoney ormonkey skins to that amount of the quantity required. If this letter meet you in a good state i f health, please, sir, an early reply is urgently solicited. Compliments to self and all your householder.—l beg to be, sir, your obedient servant."