During the winter of 1907 the world rang with the reports
of the atrocities in the Congo, and Robert J. Collier, of
Collier's Weekly, asked Richard to go to the Congo and
make
an investigation. I do not believe that my brother was ever
in much sympathy with the commission, as he did not feel that
he could afford the time that a thorough investigation
demanded. However, with his wife he sailed for Liverpool on
January 5, 1907, and three weeks later started for Africa.
Regarding this trip, in addition to the letters he wrote to
his family, I also quote from a diary which he had just
started and which he conscientiously continued until his
death.
