The Harvard African Expedition Book 1: July 11, 1926
Creator
Loring WhitmanDate
7/11/26Transcription
Sunday July 11th Our good weather is still with us – I am sorely afraid that the middle dry’s are upon us - and that we are wasting them in Monrovia – They would come in so handy after a month of soaking rain in the bush. Being the sabbath we arose late – 900 for breakfast – a welcome change from the early hour of 8.- we do lead a hard life. Soon after the meal Johnson showed up to talk about our trip. We went over the story of porters, and pay for them, food supplies for “man & beast”, gun carriers etc. We also continued discussing our travelogue and generally planning. Mr. Manifold and Mr. Helm were with Johnson – both from the states & working with Firestone. After the “board” meeting we sat out on the porch in a very nice cool breeze talking until time for chop.
The afternoon was spent in leisure until 300 when we went en maase to call on Mr. Dinklage – a botanist of note trader – and amateur botanist – with whom we chatted for an hour about trees, plants, animals etc. He had two duikers (cephalophus niger & maxwelli small antelope) up stairs which were exceedingly tame and lived on the second floor. We patted and scratched them. Then one of them wandered off and lay down at the head of the stairs. Later the neighbors chimpanzee was brought over who gratefully ate a banana for us before being carried home.-
Our next call was on Dr. Fuszek a hungarian M.D. who has spent a good part of his time on the west coast. He discussed insects and tropical medicine with the medical end of the expedition – very well versed in his branch of the profession. He is a big man, very healthy & hearty, good natured and wrapped up in his work. He showed us a very nice sample of tertia malaria under his microscope. Bequaert played with a kitten - very much as do monkeys until satisfied that nothing was on it to study – the cat landed on the floor.
We spent a very pleasant evening being amused by Bishop Campbell and Mrs. Hines. The Bishop is a genial self satisfied gentleman of about 40 – very well built and feeling in the prime of life. He was formerly at a mission in the interior and he told as many stories of natives and native customs. Mrs. Hines was also feeling “snappy” & asked us to dance. But I must load some plates and go to bed for tomorrow we are off for the plantations up the Du.