not forsake their own religion, for fear of the populace rising and killing them.  This is confirmed by William Smith, who says, “That all the natives of this coast believe there is one true God, the author of them and all things; that they have some apprehension of a future state; and that almost every village has a grove, or public place of worship, to which the principal inhabitants, on a set day, resort to make their offerings.”

In the Collection[A] it is remarked as an excellency in the Guinea government, “That however poor they may be in general, yet there are no beggars to be found amongst them; which is owing to the care of their chief men, whose province it is to take care of the welfare of the city or village; it being part of their office, to see that such people may earn their bread by their labour; some are set to blow the smith’s bellows, others to press palm oil, or grind colours for their matts, and sell provision in the markets.  The young men are listed to serve as soldiers, so that they suffer no common beggar.”

[Footnote A:  Astley’s collection, vol. 2, page 619.]

Bosman ascribes a further reason for this good order, viz.  “That when a Negroe finds he cannot subsist, he binds himself for a certain sum of money, and the master to whom he is bound is obliged to find him necessaries; that the master sets him a sort of task, which is not in the least slavish, being chiefly to defend his master on occasions; or in sowing time to work as much as he himself pleases."[A]

[Footnote A:  Bosman, page 119.]

Adjoining to the kingdom of Whidah, are several small governments, as Coto, great and small Popo, Ardrah, &c. all situate on the Slave Coast, where the chief trade for slaves is carried on.  These are governed by their respective Kings, and follow much the same customs with those of Whidah, except that their principal living is on plunder, and the slave trade.

CHAP.  III.

The kingdom of Benin; its extent.  Esteemed the most potent in Guinea.  Fruitfulness of the soil.  Good disposition of the people.  Order of government.  Punishment of crimes.  Large extent of the town of Great Benin.  Order maintained.  The natives honest and charitable.  Their religion.  The kingdoms of Kongo and Angola.  Many of the natives profess christianity.  The country fruitful.  Disposition of the people.  The administration of justice.  The town of Leango.  Slave trade carried on by the Portugueze.  Here the slave trade ends.

Next adjoining to the Slave Coast, is the kingdom of Benin, which, though it extends but about 170 miles on the sea, yet spreads so far inland, as to be esteemed the most potent kingdom in Guinea.  By accounts, the soil and produce appear to be in a great measure like those before described; and the natives are represented as a reasonable good-natured people.  Artus says,[A] “They are a sincere, inoffensive people, and do no injustice either to one another, or to strangers.”  William Smith[B] confirms this account, and says, “That the inhabitants are generally very good-natured, and exceeding courteous and civil.  When the Europeans make them presents, which in their coming thither to trade they always do, they endeavour to return them doubly.”