of carriers could not be procured for them; but in so large a place as Katunga, where two thirds of the population are slaves, their reason seemed quite ridiculous, and they suspected the real one to be the same original sin, viz. the humble character of their present.  The king, however, promised to take his farewell of them on the following morning, and they being in good health, they hoped soon to accomplish the object of their undertaking, and return in safety to Old England.

On the following day, instead of the visit from the king, which they were told on the preceding day he was to honor them with, they were requested to repair to his residence.  Accordingly, having first saddled their horses, and packed up their luggage between six and seven o’clock a.m., the two brothers walked to the royal residence.  On their arrival they were introduced without any ceremony into a private yard, wherein the king had been patiently waiting their coming for some time previously.  He was rather plainly dressed in the costume of the country, namely a tobe, trousers, and sandals, with a cap very much resembling in shape those, which were worn by elderly ladies in the time of queen Elizabeth, and which are still retained by some in the more remote parts of England.  On his right the eunuchs were reposing their huge limbs on the ground, with several of the elders of the people, and his left was graced by a circle of his young wives, behind whom sat the widows of more than one of his predecessors, many of whom appeared aged.  A performer on the whistle was the only musician present.  So that during a very long interview, a little whistling now and then was the only amusement which the prince could afford them.  A good deal of discussion ensued, and much serious whispering between the monarch and his wives, in the course of which both parties quitted the yard two or three times to hold a secret conference; followed by the eunuchs with their hands clasped on their breast.  Mansolah at length scraped together two thousand kowries, about three shillings and sixpence sterling, which he presented to the four men that had accompanied the travellers from Badagry and Jenna as guides, messengers, &c., to enable them to purchase provisions on their journey homeward.  This sum had been collected from amongst the king’s wives, each having contributed a portion, because their lord and master did not happen to be in a liberal mood.  Poor souls! they possess scarcely the shadow of royalty, much less the substance; the exterior forms of respect which they receive from the male portion of the people alone distinguishing them from their less illustrious countrywomen.  They are compelled to work in order to provide themselves with food and clothing, and besides which, part of the earnings is applied to the king’s use.  To effect these objects, they are necessitated to make long and painful journeys to distant parts of the empire, for the purpose of trading.  They have, however, the privilege of travelling from town to town, without being subjected to the usual duty, and can command the use of the governor’s house wherever they go.  The boasted industry of ancient queens and princesses in more classic regions, sinks into nothing when compared to the laborious life, which is led by the female branch of the royal family at Yarriba.