Paradoxically, if there exists practically no sentiment in the relation of husband to wife, it springs forth rather astonishingly in simple relations of friendship. It is quite common, for example, to see two young African males in the street, walking with their hands clasped, or even held about the waist, or even about the neck; however this attitude, which would not fail to scandalize the proper folk of Europe, is infinitely too frequent to provide any indication of confirmed homosexuality; moreover, it is often affected by men who are married and quite beyond suspicion. In any case, if the Europeans smile now and then, no African would ever dream of reproving it.

A last point, heavy with importance in the behavior of the African, is the matter of the Dowry. Contrary to European custom, tradition has it that in Africa it is the husband who deposits a dowry with the parents of his future mate; not only this, he must also make numerous gifts to his fiance and her family. Thus a young African, if he is hard put for means, can scarcely hope to marry at an early date. It is not uncommon, in fact, to observe wealthy old chieftains to collect disappointed young beaux about them, so that many young males remain for extended periods in the ranks of bachelordom.

This circumstance brings about an intense desire to marry, manifesting itself in a sort of "fashionableness" towards the marital state comparable to that which is rife among European girls, but guided by different motives: at first the necessity of having children a man without offspring is discredited in Africa-and above all the fear of passing for an individual who has never been able to afford to give a dowry. Actually, if a "prolonged" bachelor has become the butt of general contempt, it is likely that it will have been for this reason above all.

The reader will have no difficulty now in noting that these varied factors are of a nature which might favor homosexual reproachments, particularly if one considers:

1. That homosexuality never feeds the conversations of the African; all passes by as if he had ignored it or wished to ignore it.

2. That the African is thoroughly "epicurean" in the sense that his pleasure-seeking is constant, unconcerned as to domain, always pursuing the immediate enjoyment, without the slightest noticeable care for possible consequences from his

acts.

3. That the African Negro never nurtures the more "complex" consideration, and that he poses before him in no instance the tragic questions which loom to torment the European homophile. This almost excessive balance, at times touching inconsequence, is a particularly remarkable trait of his character.

4. Lastly-and this is incontestably an essential point-that the African prostitutes do not accord their favors except upon receipt of spot-cash payment. There is practically no exception to this rule, well fashioned to cast into disarray the spirit of a bachelor wanting for re-

sources.

It is very difficult to know in what measure homosexuality has always existed in Africa. It appears fairly certain that, before the conquests, during the time of clans living under a sort of feudalism, certain chieftains may have maintained an entourage of "mignons" for their personal needs and those of their guests. But African traditions, which are wholly oral, are doubtfully transmitted, so that it is nearly impossible to strike upon certainty in reviewing them.

There is one sure fact: the Europeans have played and still play a