He never felt the burden of
great riches; as soon as he was safe he seemed to change his nature, and
became the most dexterously benevolent of men. He abhorred a cadger; he
abhorred the very sight of the begging circulars which so appreciably
increase the postman's daily burden. He was a sensible reader, and, when
he heard of a traveller who was something more than a mere lion, he
would make his acquaintance in the most respectful and unobtrusive way,
and he managed to learn much. His shrewd innocence and piquant wit
pleased those whom he questioned, and as he was always willing to place
his house, horses, boats, and game, at the disposal of any traveller who
pleased him, he was reckoned rather a desirable acquaintance. His
prejudice against missions to the lower tribes was derived solely from
men who had lived and worked among the negroes, and, like all his other
prejudices, it was violently strong. He would say, "Have we not good
white men here who are capable of anything? I don't want to assist your
Polish Jew in the East, nor Quashee Nigger in Africa. Show me a plucky
fellow that is ready to work at anything for any hours, and I'll help
him. But instead of aiding our own kindly white race, you fool away
millions on semi-baboons; you send out men at L300 a year and ask them
to play at being St. Paul, and you don't convert a hundred niggers a
year--and those who are converted are often very shady customers. Your
Indian men drive about in buggies, and the 'cute natives laugh at them.
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