The Baboo must look to his laurels, for other dusky aspirants to
fluent articulate culture are on the warpath, and they are by no means
to be underrated. I have seen lately quite a number of letters from
young studious gentlemen of Ashantee, who, having acquired a little
English, desire more, and develop a passion for correspondence with
English strangers, whose names they pick up. The following typical
example, dated March 9th, 1917, will serve to illustrate the new
habit:--
"DEAR SIR,--I am with much pleasure to indite you about your
name that has come to my hand with great, joy. On the receipt
of this letter, know that I want to be one of your fellow
friends. You have been reported to me by a friend of mine of
your good attention and benevolences. My openion of writing
you is to say, I want to take you as my favourite friend.
Everything or news that may be happened there at your side, I
wish you to report same to me. And I also shall report same
to you satisfaction. Will you be good enough to agree with
me? Then I hope to get few lines of news from you being as
you consented or disconsented. To have a friend at abroad is
something that delights the life. I am earnestly requested to
hear from you soon. I beg to detain, dear Sir,
"Yrs truly,
----."
To whom do you think that letter is addressed? You would suppose to
some public personage with a reputation for cordial sympathy with the
young and earnest, such as the CHIEF SCOUT, for instance. But no, the
"Dear Sir" is in reality a limited liability company, one of whose
circulars, I suppose, wandered to the Gold Coast.
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