As I was destined to become well acquainted with the Croix rouge, the hospital for Europeans, I will describe this institution later.  On the reverse slope of the central hill of Boma are the quarters of the army, the Force Publique.  The soldiers are fine looking fellows with a very pretty uniform; blue wide cut breeches to the knee, the legs and feet being bare, blue shirt with red facings and belt, and a red fez.  They are armed with Albini rifles, a very strong weapon which will stand any amount of rough usage.  Everything is scrupulously clean and the married quarters especially look very comfortable.  Each couple has a room fitted with bed, table and chairs.  They are recruited from all over the country and the service is so popular that in many parts far more men volunteer to serve than are required.  The force does not exceed 13,600 in number and is recruited for long or short service.

The prison is situated on the plateau in an open, airy place.  The building is constructed of iron plates and the separate cells and rooms are lofty and clean.  There are one or two Europeans here who have been sentenced for theft or for cruelty to natives, for the State is determined that all its subjects should be well treated.  These are of course kept entirely separate from the natives.  Only the natives who have been sentenced to more than one year are sent here and then after a time they are forwarded to the penal settlements.  Some are cannibals, but most are thieves, and all wear light chains.  It is somewhat warm walking about Boma but there is no alternative, for there are no carriages and only a horse or two for the Governor General.  The State regulates very strictly the importation of arms.  Permission has to be obtained from the Governor General before any fire arms can be landed; then each one is stamped on the butt with the Star of the State and a number which is registered.  If anyone in the country wishes to purchase a weapon from another, both buyer and seller have to obtain permission from the Governor General.  These laws are very excellent for they effectually keep modern weapons out of the hands of the natives.  Having complied with the regulations and declared our ammunition, our rifles and guns are restored to us with pretty little souvenir marks on the butts.  We next apply for a special licence to shoot big game, and this is promised, but as it takes time to prepare will be sent up country after us.

The import duly on alcohol is very heavy and runs up to 47 per cent. ad valorem and no still of any kind is permitted to be set up in the country.  Beyond Matadi indeed, special permission has to be obtained before Europeans can carry any spirituous liquors, and then they have to declare that it is not for sale to the natives.  Heads of commercial houses are made responsible for the observance of this law by their employes and the State officials themselves are only permitted to have three litres of spirits each month, while absinthe is entirely prohibited.  Every white man, however, is given one litre of red wine each day as a ration and there seems to be no limit to the amount of beer which may be drunk, except its great price, for a bottle of lager costs 3 francs at Leopoldville and twice that amount higher up the river.