The Harvard African Expedition Book 1: July 10, 1926
Creator
Loring WhitmanDate
7/10/26Transcription
Sat July 10th
Today has been really perfect – a dry sunny day – and a cool breeze to sit in when idle. Of course it is hot when you go out walking – but it is that way even when it is pouring.
Dr. strong, Dr. Shattuck, and Coolidge went to call on the war department; the dept. of the interior and to the customs american head of the customs to see about 1st getting the guns out of bond – and ammunition 2nd getting permits of residence – we have two weeks grace in Liberia without them – 3rd getting permits to carry ammo and hunting licenses – 4th getting – or trying to get our supplies out of the customs. While they were thus busied I wrote in my diary and waited for a monster snail to come out for his picture. I tried the floor, but evidently the kerosene smell did not suit his fancy – for he showed no animation at all. So I took him down onto the ground and waited. He soon realized that he was on Terra firma and that evidently could sense the good old ground and trees about him for he quickly came out and went dashing for the shade. I caught him and took his picture. He is really a beauty – His shell is about 7 inches long and when he gets into his stride he must cover 10 or 11 inches. He has 2 horns – long ones – above & Two shorter ones below.
I then took the chance opportunity of sun and took about 12 pictures around town. One is particularly charming. It is a statue to Matilda Peabody (?) who had done a valorous deed. The picture on the base (my photo) shows her knocking the ashes of her pipe into the touch hole of a cannon before which stands an army of people.
Harold in the meantime came back to the house to change his clothes for the trip to the plantation in the afternoon. After he was completely dressed the chief came in to announce a sudden postponement of the trip. Harold changed back.
In the afternoon we, Hal & I, went down to No.5 to have passport pictures taken with Allen, Bequaert & Linder. We sat down & composed a masterful letter to the photographer summoning him to our presence. That was at two – and he came about 400. Still he came. Still We were forced to amuse ourselves by idle conversation and attempted snail races which never materialized because the two smaller snails never came out. The bigger one after an hours contemplation finally hove himself to his feet and went for a two foot walk. We then put them in hot water & removed them from their shells a cruel procedure – but us scientists is hard babies. By the way 18 guinea pigs have passed on – quite a serious loss.
Hal & I returned to No 1 where we collected Dr. Shattuck However to go calling on Mr. Ross. However, nobody was at home so we had to come home. Hal & I therefore walked over to the british Embassy to call on the Millses. We found Mr. & Mrs. Hines there playing tennis. When they were through we went down to the house for a late tea and a chat till about 630.
The British have picked the best living place in Monrovia altho it is a bit off by itself. Right above the beach there is always a cool breeze coming over the water, for they are on the neck of land which adds to the coolness. The house itself is rather oppressive but is very cool – it is cement – and has many windows and a large cool porch. Still it seems cut up and compressed. They have a cement tennis court there which I image is a god send at times.
Drs. Strong, Shattuck & Bequaert went out to dinner at Dr. Bonet’s where they had a very pleasant social evening. We sat around at home talking about our trip, though Hal & I pumped Dr. Willis about surgery in particular till after 1100.
There is only one thing I would like to say – every where we have been met with every courtesy. Our hats have been received at the door and every favor has been granted us. But I will also admit that things move very slowly and erratically so that we dont know when we were will get any thing done.