its assistance-in so far as it may be able to assist—to each of these, in the particular sphere in which its investigations are being conducted. Evidence that such services by the Institute will be welcomed is furnished by the fact that twenty-eight different associations interested in African studies in ten different countries as well as the Protestant and Roman Catholic Missions, from whose knowledge of and association with the native races of Africa the Institute hopes to derive great assistance, have approved of the formation of the Institute and welcomed the invitation to appoint representatives on its Governing Body.

Secondly, the distinctive characteristic of the Institute is that its aims will not be restricted exclusively to the field of scientific study, but will be directed also towards bringing about a closer association of scientific knowledge and research with practical affairs. All the work of the Institute will be based on strictly scientific principles and carried out by scientific methods. It will undertake and assist in anthropological and linguistic investigations. But it will at the same time attempt to relate the results of research to the actual life of the African peoples, and to discover how the investigations undertaken by scientific workers may be made available for the solution of pressing questions that are the concern of all those who, as administrators, educators, health and welfare workers, or traders, are working for the good of Africa. If the Institute fulfils its aim it will be a connecting link between science and life. It is an entirely non-political body and is precluded by its constitution from concerning itself with matters of policy or administration. There remains, however, a wide field in which, without infringing in any way this fundamental principle, the results of scientific study may be brought into closer relation with the practical tasks which are being carried out in Africa.

Many instances of urgent practical problems for the right solution of which a much larger body of scientific knowledge is required than is at present available will occur to the reader. For example, investigation of native systems of land tenure may help to make clear certain definite principles common to a great part of Africa, and to explain the reasons why these principles are modified in any particular region or tribe. A thorough grasp of the African

mind in regard to these questions would undoubtedly be of value to the administrator. There is similarly an ample field for investigation in connexion with the principles which underlie native customary law. What in fact is the African conception of right and wrong? And why does the African regard this or that action as a breach of the social code? What degree of reprobation does he attach to different faults or crimes? What constitute extenuating circumstances and, more especially, how far do his conceptions arise from superstitions, viz. religious scruples-and how far from tribal tradition and social usage? Well-established data on the origins of native law and custom would no doubt be valued by judges and magistrates who have to take it into account when dealing with native cases in their courts.

Another subject in regard to which more precise information would be useful is the effect which civilization and contact with Europeans have had on the demands of the Native as a consumer, and the extent to which they have brought about changes in his mode of life—e.g., his system of agriculture and the division of work between the sexes-and have transformed articles previously regarded as luxuries into necessities of life. Again there is a large field of enquiry as to the best means of preventing the waste of natural products without infringing those native rights to which the people cling tenaciously; and also in regard to the introduction of improved implements of agriculture, and tools for cottage crafts and industries. The accumulated experience of different territories in Africa in regard to such economic questions would be of interest to the Agricultural and Veterinary Departments, to the merchant and to the settler.

The means by which the Institute proposes to achieve its objects of disseminating information, of stimulating inquiries and of making possible the interchange of ideas is in the first instance the Journal, which will provide a link between all those, whether in Africa or outside, who are interested in African subjects. It is intended that the Journal shall be as representative as possible of the wide range of experience which is possessed by those in many different countries who associate themselves with its work. The limits of a quarterly journal, however, preclude studies of more than a prescribed length. In order to provide for the publication of fuller and

more detailed studies, the Institute has in view two series of publications-one under the general title of African Studies and the second under the general title of African Documents. In the first series will be included studies by experts, as these become available, dealing with the range of subjects which fall within the purview of the Institute. The second series will consist of brochures or texts written or dictated by Africans, preferably in their own language and translated into a European language. Such texts may include stories, songs, dramas, riddles, proverbs, historical and other traditions, descriptions of social institutions and customs, myths and religion in its every aspect. How soon it will be possible to begin the publication of these series will depend on the success of the Institute in finding contributors and on whether the funds at its disposal will permit of a venture of this nature. If encouragement is received, however, an attempt will be made to carry out both these proposals. The first task to which the Institute addressed itself after its formation was the preparation of a practical orthography for African languages. For many years efforts have been made without success to reach agreement on this subject. Professor Westermann, however, in consultation with experts in different countries has succeeded in preparing a statement of general principles with rules showing how the principles may be applied in the writing of African languages. The memorandum on this subject which has been issued is reviewed elsewhere in the Journal. The need for help of this kind is evident from the large number of letters which have been received asking for advice regarding the script which should be adopted. It is hoped that this memorandum will be of great value to those engaged in educational work in Africa. The necessary dies for the new letters that will be required have been struck, and orders may be placed for them by those who desire to make use of the new script without delay. The Institute is ready to give assistance in the application to particular cases of the principles contained in the memorandum.

A large number of enquiries have also been received already from different parts of Africa as to the choice of the language or dialect to be adopted as the medium of instruction in schools and in the production of literature. The amazing multiplicity of languages and

dialects, not mutually understandable, confronts the administrator and the educationist, whether official or missionary, with daily difficulties. Which language is best worth learning? To which dialect should preference be given in vernacular teaching in the schools? Which has the widest affinities and the best chance of survival as a common tongue? These questions can only be solved after an exhaustive study of the various language groups, and an estimate of the number of people who speak them. Some of these questions are so difficult that they require investigation on the spot. At the request of the Gold Coast Government the Institute allowed one of its two Directors, Professor Westermann, to visit that Colony, in which a controversy had long existed on the question of a common script for the leading local languages. A report of this visit appears elsewhere in the present number of the Journal. A similar visit to the Southern Sudan has been arranged for April next at the request of the Sudan Government.

It is recognized that vernacular literature has not in the past been sufficiently adapted to the conditions of African life. Another need, therefore, which early pressed itself on the attention of the Institute was that of an adequate literature in the vernacular imbued with local colour. The Institute therefore set itself to the examination of existing literature and more particularly of school text-books. With the generous co-operation of the different governments and different missions in Africa it has already collected a large number of school text-books and hopes to undertake their examination. This subject is fully dealt with in an article on another page. There is every reason to hope that through co-operation a much better literature may in the course of a few years be provided than already exists. In investigating the possibilities in this direction a beginning will be made with books relating to health and native welfare. The task of producing a firstrate text-book or manual is one demanding gifts of a high order, and it would be a great waste of valuable energy and time if the attempt were made to produce literature of this kind independently in every vernacular in Africa. A great service would be rendered to all those who are concerned in the production of such literature if they were furnished with a few books of outstanding quality with a view

to their being translated into any particular vernacular with the necessary adaptations to local conditions. In the attempt to bring about a larger measure of co-operation in this important matter, which will be of help and advantage to all, a beginning will be made by the selection out of existing material of the two or three books which seem to be the best for their purpose, and their circulation in a European language for the use of those who wish to produce similar literature. These books will be tested by submission to experts and by actual use in different areas in order to ascertain in what respects they can gradually be improved. This will make possible new editions which will be an advance upon those already in existence. In this way gradual progress can be made until in each department of vernacular literature works of the highest quality are available which, with the necessary adaptations to local conditions, can be made use of in all vernaculars throughout Africa.

The Institute has further begun the investigation of the directions in which service can be rendered in the promotion of anthropological studies. One of its two Directors, Monsieur H. Labouret, has in consultation with leading experts prepared two memoranda providing a framework for the study of native life and institutions, taking the family as the starting-point. These memoranda will be available as a guide for those who desire to undertake such studies, and Monsieur Labouret is in touch with workers in different parts of Africa interested in this investigation.

It is the aim of the Institute to build on what already exists. Consequently, as the basis for all its work, it proposes to undertake the preparation of a complete bibliography, first, of all publications in African vernaculars and, secondly, of books in European languages dealing with African subjects so far as they fall within the province of the Institute. Letters are constantly received inquiring what has already been published in a given language, and it sometimes happens that missionaries and others begin the study of a language new to them without knowing that books on the language in question are already in existence. Time and effort are thus wasted. An important beginning in providing a survey of African literature is the Bibliography of African Christian Literature by the Rev. Canon F. Rowling