_Goods to buy._--We must have a lot of beads of different sizes and colors. They must be opaque--that is, not transparent--if not, the natives will not take them at any price. The beads are the most important item of the outfit. In many tribes the natives only wear strings of beads round their waists, and, if they are rich, also copper or brass rings, round their necks, or several round their wrists or ankles. White beads are very much prized by the cannibal tribes, among whom I have been; they string them in their hair and beards. One must have black beads--these are prized very much by non-cannibal tribes--also red, blue, yellow, green, and brown beads. Large beads of the size of our marbles, and even larger, are very much valued by some tribes. All these beads are manufactured in Venice, Italy, and nowhere else. After the stock of beads, the most important item is that of copper or brass. You must have a good stock of brass and copper rods about the thickness of your little finger and 2-1/2 feet long--these are used round the neck, ankles, and wrists; brass kettle; large shallow copper dishes about 2-1/2 feet in diameter--with these they make hollow rings for the neck, wrists, or ankles; a little quantity of cheap cotton goods with gaudy patterns; a few gaudy coats with sleeves of different colors to the body of the coat--the natives like bright colors; a few cotton umbrellas of very bright colors--these and the coats are for chiefs, who also like opera-hats. No one but people of royal blood in some tribes can wear high hats, and often a hat is the only thing Kings or Princes wear. Red woollen caps; fire-steel and flints together for the natives to start a fire with; files; knives; fish-hooks; and a good many small looking-glasses; a few flint guns--the kind known as Tower guns, made especially for the natives of the Guinea coast; and coarse powder for chiefs ruling over tribes where the use of firearms is known; a few bright second-hand yellow and plush waistcoats with large brass buttons of the size of dollars are also very much appreciated by the people of royal blood; a few colored shirts. Trousers are of no use. I had to throw away those I bought for the natives; no one would wear them. Beads are the most useful to pay the porters with. Of course the explorer could travel with fewer articles, but the stock I have described is one that gives him great prestige.