the bush, as the enclosed country is called,
in order that he might satisfy himself that there
were no objectionable articles amongst them. Having
expressed their thanks to Adooley for his well-timed
present, and agreed to the examination of their baggage,
they all partook of a little spirit and water, which
soon made them the best friends in the universe.
During this palaver, the chief’s sister and two
of his wives were ogling at the travellers, and giggling
with all the playfulness of the most finished coquette,
until the approach of the chief of the English-town
and the remainder of the travellers’ party put
a sudden stop to their entertainment, on which they
presently left the apartment. These men came
to settle a domestic quarrel, which was soon decided
by the chief, who, after receiving the usual salutation
of dropping on the knees with the face to the earth,
chatted and laughed immoderately; this was considered
by the travellers as a happy omen. In that country,
very little ceremony is observed by the meanest of
the people towards their sovereign, they converse
with him with as little reserve, as if he were no better
than themselves, while he pays as much attention to
their complaints, as to those of the principal people
of the country. An African king is therefore
of some use, but there are kings in other parts of
the world, of whose use it would be a very difficult
matter to find any traces, and who know as much of
the complaints or grievances of their subjects, as
of the nucleus of the earth. Nor was king Adooley
supposed to be entirely destitute of the virtues of
hospitality, for it was observed that the remainder
of his onion was divided equally amongst the chiefs,
who had come to visit him, and was received by them
with marks of the highest satisfaction.
In the afternoon, a herald proclaimed the approach
to the habitation of the venerable chief of Spanish-town,
with a long suite of thirty followers. The old
man’s dress was very simple, consisting only
of a cap and turban, with a large piece of Manchester
cotton flung over his right shoulder, and held under
his left arm. This is infinitely more graceful
and becoming in the natives, than the most showy European
apparel, in any variety of which, indeed, they generally
look highly ridiculous. After they had made the
chief and all his attendants nearly tipsy, the former
began to be very talkative and amusing, continuing
to chat without interruption for a considerable time,
not omitting to whisper occasionally to the interpreter,
by no means to forget, after his departure, to remind
the travellers of the present they had promised him,
it being considered the height of rudeness to mention
any thing of the kind aloud in his presence. The
rum had operated so cheerily upon his followers in
the yard, that fat and lean, old and young, all commenced
dancing, and continued performing the most laughable
antics, till they were no longer able to stand.
It amused the travellers infinitely to observe these