Page:The Black Prince (John Naimbanna).djvu/4

( 4 ) The king had thought before this time that there was none but bad people in England, for to use his own words, he had 'never before seen any Englishmen who were not bad people' but he now found though there were many wicked people in England, there were many good people also. Being informed what made the people in England good was the Christian religion, he resolved to send son about twenty-three years of age, who was under the care of the Sierra Leone Company agent, and by him brought to England, the Company readily undertaking the charge of his education.

Naimbanna, for so he was called, arrived in England, in the vessel called the Lapwing, in the year 1791, and proper persons were chosen to instruct him in reading, writing, and other parts of education but before we proceed to give an account of the progress he made during his stay in this country, it may be proper to make the reader acquainted with his character at the time of his landing. His person was not handsome, but his manners were extremely pleasing, and his disposition kind and affectionate: at the same time, his feelings were quick and jealous, and he was very violent in his temper, as well as proud and disdainful, Though he laboured under great disadvantages from the want of early education, yet he shewed signs of a good understanding, and he appeared to be sharp sighted in finding out people's real character.

He had not been long in England before a thirst of knowledge was found to be a leading feature of his character. His teachers have said that he would often urge them to prolong the time employed