Notes from rough diaries Bell kept during his service in the Gold Coast between 1890-94 (initially as Supervisor of Customs), in the Bahamas as Receiver General and Treasurer, and then from 1899 as Acting Governor of the Leeward Islands and Administrator of Dominica. Before destroying these old diaries Bell extracted 'all that appeared to be of interest in regard to my experiences and the development of my character.' Prominent subjects include Bell’s official duties, colleagues, ideas for economic development, travels, social life and personal affairs (169 pages).