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| CORRESPONDENCE – 1912-1914 |
Newly-wed Isabelle Vischer arrived in Nigeria in 1912 with her husband Hanns who had been appointed Director of education in Northern Nigeria by the British Government. Her book comprises eighteen letters sent back home to Switzerland. They touch on many topics ranging from schools, Islam, interesting people, journeying across the country, bird life, gardening, etc. In contrast to the majority of the books written at the time, Croquis et souvenirs de la Nigérie proposed a positive image of Africa and its people – including the housemaids and male servants employed by the family. The author speaks with much respect of Other, and notes that there is much to learn from the local population before pretending to teach them anything. Isabelle Vischer left Africa in 1914, at the onset of WWI.
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