The negroes, as hath been frequently observed, whether Mohammedan or pagan, allow a plurality of wives.  The Mohammedans alone are by their religion confined to four, and as the husband commonly pays a great price for each, he requires from all of them the utmost deference and submission, and treats them more like hired servants than companions.  They have. however, the management of domestic affairs, and each in rotation is mistress of the household, and has the care of dressing the victuals, overlooking the female slaves, etc.  But though the African husbands are possessed of great authority over their wives I did not observe that in general they treat them with cruelty, neither did I perceive that mean jealousy in their dispositions which is so prevalent among the Moors.  They permit their wives to partake of all public diversions, and this indulgence is seldom abused, for though the negro women are very cheerful and frank in their behaviour, they are by no means given to intrigue—­I believe that instances of conjugal infidelity are not common.  When the wives quarrel among themselves—­a circumstance which, from the nature of their situation, must frequently happen—­ the husband decides between them, and sometimes finds it necessary to administer a little corporal chastisement before tranquillity can be restored.  But if any one of the ladies complains to the chief of the town that her husband has unjustly punished her, and shown an undue partiality to some other of his wives, the affair is brought to a public trial.  In these palavers, however, which are conducted chiefly by married men, I was informed that the complaint of the wife is not always considered in a very serious light, and the complainant herself is sometimes convicted of strife and contention and left without remedy.  If she murmurs at the decision of the court the magic rod of Mumbo Jumbo soon puts an end to the business.

The children of the Mandingoes are not always named after their relations, but frequently in consequence of some remarkable occurrence.  Thus my landlord at Kamalia was called Karfa, a word signifying to replace, because he was born shortly after the death of one of his brothers.  Other names are descriptive of good or bad qualities—­as Modi, a good man; Fadibba, father of the town, etc Indeed, the very names of their towns have something descriptive in them, as Sibidooloo, the town of ciboa-trees; Kenneyeto, victuals here; Dosita, lift your spoon.  Others appear to be given by way of reproach—­as Bammakoo, wash a crocodile; Karrankalla, no cup to drink from, etc.  A child is named when it is seven or eight days old.  The ceremony commences by shaving the infant’s head; and a dish culled dega, made of pounded corn and sour milk, is prepared for the guests.  If the parents are rich, a sheep or goat is commonly added.  The feast is called ding koon lee (the child’s head-shaving).  During my stay at Kamalia I was present at four different