his principal wives. He would only receive the presents from Mr. Wilmot's hands. He gave him first the picture of the Queen, saying that her majesty had sent this out as a mark of her friendship, and her wish to be on good terms with him. He took it in his hands, and admired it very much. In this picture the Queen is represented in her coronation robes, with crown on her head and sceptre in her hand. The frame is very handsome, and the picture is a large one. After looking at it attentively, he asked many questions concerning the dress, and then said, "From henceforth the Queen of England and the King of Dahomey are one. The Queen is the greatest sovereign in Europe, and I am king of the blacks. I will hold the head of the kingdom of Dahomey, and you shall hold the tail."

Mr. Wilmot then gave him a few small presents from himself, with which he was very much delighted, and grasped him warmly by the hand. His council participated in these feelings, and said, "At last good friends have met." Then commenced the delivery of the message which the Commodore thought it his duty to lay before the king. The first subject was the slave trade, on which he argued apparently at great length. He then gave the king an admonition about human sacrifices, and the threatened occupation of Abbeokuta, winding up with the suggestion of an embassy, an extension of trade and missionary schools. The king listened attentively to the message, and made several remarks during its delivery. The usual ceremony of drinking was not forgotten, and he accompanied Mr. Wilmot through the gates of the palace far on the road to his quarters, amidst the cheers of the soldiers and people. They remained a month in Abomey after the delivery of this message, in consequence of the "customs" going on. Nothing could persuade the king to let them go until this was over, as he was most anxious that they should see everything and report it.

They saw the royal treasures pass round in the interior of the palace, preceded by all the principal ministers, princes, and chiefs, in their court costume. The captains of the Amazons passed round in the same way. The costume worn, the different colors displayed according to etiquette, the ornaments of silver round the necks, with an occasional skull at the waist-belt of the Amazons, and the halfsavage appearance of all, notwithstanding their good manners and modest behaviour, were peculiarly interesting. It was during the procession of the king's treasures, that the "human sacrifices" came round, after the cowries, cloths, tobacco, and rum had passed, which were to be thrown to the people. A long string of live fowls on poles appeared, followed by goats in baskets, then by a bull, and lastly, half a dozen men, with hands and feet tied, and a cloth fastened in a peculiar way round the head.

A day or two after these processions, the king appeared on the first platform; there were four of these platforms, two large, and two small. His father never had than more two, but he endeavors to excel him in everything, and to do as much again as he did. If

The

his father gave one sheep as a present, he gives two. sides of all these platforms were covered with crimson and other colored cloths, with curious devices, and figures of alligators, elephants, and snakes; the large ones are in the form of a square, with a neat building of considerable size, also covered over, running along the whole extent of one side. The ascent was by a rough ladder covered over, and the platform itself was neatly floored with dried grass, and perfectly level. Dispersed all over this were chiefs under the king's umbrellas, sitting down, and at the further end from the entrance the king stood surrounded by a chosen few of his Amazons. In the centre of this side of the platform was a round tower, about thirty feet high, covered with cloths, bearing similar devices as the other parts. This is a new idea of the king's, and from the top of this tower the victims are thrown to the people below. When the king is ready, he commences by throwing cowries to the people in bundles, as well as separately. The scramble begins, and the noise occasioned by the men fighting to catch these is very great. Thousands are assembled with nothing on but a waist-clout, and a small bag for the cowries. Sometimes they fight by companies, one company against the other, according to the king's fancy; and the leaders are mounted on the shoulders of their people. After the cowries, cloths are thrown, occasioning the greatest excitement. While this lasts, the king gives them to understand that if any man is killed, nothing will be done to the man who is the cause of it, as all is supposed to be fair fighting with hands, no weapons being allowed. Then the chiefs are called, and cowries and cloths are given to them. The king begins by throwing away everything himself; then his Amazons take it up for a short time, when the king renews the game, and finishes the sport, changing his position from one place to another along the front part of the platform. When all that the king intends throwing away for the day is expended, a short pause ensues, and by-and-by, are seen inside the platform the poles with live fowls (all cocks) at the end of them, in procession towards the round tower. Three men mount to the top, and receive, one by one, all these poles, which are precipitated on the people beneath. A large hole has been prepared, and a rough block of wood ready, upon which the necks of the victims are laid, and their heads chopped off, the blood from the body being allowed to fall into the hole. After the fowls, came the goats, then the bull, and lastly, the men, who are tumbled down in the same way. All the blood is mixed together in the hole, and remains exposed with the block till night. The bodies of the men are dragged along by the feet, and maltreated on the way, by being beaten with sticks, hands in some cases cut off, and large pieces cut out of their bodies, which are held up. They are then taken to a deep pit and thrown in. The heads alone are preserved by being boiled, so that the skull may be seen in a state of great perfection. The heads of the human victims killed are first placed in baskets, and exposed for a

out any

gates, and nearly half a mile on the road towards their house, which was considered a great compliment. The whole court followed, with the exception of the Amazons and the wives, who never join in such processions. The soldiers shouted and sang their war songs, while certain chiefs went in front of the king to clear the road, and point dirt or inequalities of ground before the feet royal. The sight was imposing, and impressed Mr. Wilmot with the power of the king amongst his people. He seemed much feared as well as much beloved. Indeed, he appears to have produced no small effect on the Commodore himself, who describes him as a very fine-looking man, upwards of six feet high, broad-shouldered, and with a pleasant countenance when he likes. His eyes are bloodshot. He is a great smoker, but does not indulge much in the bottle. His skin is much lighter than that of most of his people, resembling the copper color of the American Indians. He is very active, and fond of dancing and singing, which he practices in public during the "customs." He is an admirer of the fair sex, of whom he possesses as many as he likes. He is about forty-three years old. Before leaving the palace, the king saluted the Queen with twenty-one guns, from pieces of all sizes, the largest being a three-pounder. These guns are usually carried on men's heads, and occasionally placed on the ground and fired off. The king also saluted his visitors with nine guns. The number of guns fired was shown by a corresponding number of musket-balls, produced in an iron pot.

On arriving at their quarters after this day's ceremony, the prince, who had accompanied them from Whydah, asked for a present for the soldiers and Amazons. He said he hoped they would not make him ashamed before his people, as he had brought the party up, and was ordered to attend upon them. Mr. Wilmot immediately acquiesced, and made them a handsome present, which was thankfully acknowledged. Whenever strangers meet, they either drink with each other on their first arrival, or when they are about to depart. Of course our countrymen had always to submit to this, which caused a great drain upon their resources. Next day the king's jesters danced before them. One of the Amazons, in firing, had injured her hand very much by the bursting of the musket, and a messenger arrived from the king with a request that the doctor might be allowed to attend her. This was granted, and Dr. Haran saw her twice a day until the wound was healed, and a perfect cure made. The wound was a very severe one, and Mr. Wilmot thinks it was fortunate for the Amazon that the skill of Dr. Haran was called in. The Commodore has no small opinion of his own tact. He says: "I have reason to believe that my line of conduct was rewarded by the whole country being laid open before us, and the whole people, king, chiefs, and all, being our friends. The greater part of what we saw, I firmly believe, was entirely got up for my sake, and certainly no white man ever saw what we did, or were treated with such marked consideration.

While at Cannah the king invited them on the afternoon of two days to witness the firing of his Amazons and soldiers with ball at a mark. They found him about two miles outside the town in a very large open space, which had been cleared away, surrounded by his chiefs and people, to the number of several thousand, preparing to practice at a number of goats, which were tied to stakes, driven in the ground at intervals of about fifteen yards, under a mud wall of considerable length, and about ten feet high. The king received them very cordially, and told the prince to place them under his own umbrellas, in a convenient place for seeing everything. The firing commenced, and the king's bodyguard of Amazons distinguished themselves as good shots. The king fired several times himself. The soldiers fired also exceedingly well, and taking into consideration the quality of the flint musket and the iron ball, which is jagged, and fits loosely in the barrel, the display they made astonished the strangers. Several goats were killed, and on the second day four of those despatched were sent to Mr. Wilmot as a present. These had been selected by the Amazons as a particnlar present to the visitors, and until they were killed no other goat was fired at. The firing was very rapid, and the ladies' weapons were well handled. Some heads were cut off during the night, and this appears to be the practice whenever the king returns to his capital. Eight heads were in the doorway of the place on the following morning, and more of these trophies were inside. Mr. Wilmot and his companions remained in Abomey five weeks, and daily witnessed scenes of a very extraordinary character, such as the dancing of the Amazons, their warlike songs, the dancing and songs of the soldiers, the distribution of presents to the princes, chiefs, captains, and head men of the troops, the "passing" of the king's drummers, of the captains of the Amazons, of the king's jesters, and a variety of other people which appear before the king during the "customs.'

Upon the last day but one of the "customs," late in the afternoon, a large body of soldiers, with their attendants carrying their camp equipage, made their appearance from a place about three days' journey in the interior, belonging to the king. These men had been sent to the assistance of a small town belonging to a chief on friendly terms with the king, who had been threatened by the Abbeokutans, and who had applied to Abomey for assistance. The king had granted the assistance required, and despatched two of his head warriors with about six hundred men for this purpose. When these men arrived at the town, they found that the Abbeokutans, hearing of their approach, had run away, and hence their return to Abomey. As usual, on their return the king made them a long speech, and gave them presents.

On the Saturday, six days after the English party's arrival at Abomey, the king saw them privately in his own palace, and they gave him the presents brought up for the occasion. He was attended by six of his privy council, his most trusted friends; also by five of

purchase of certain articles, which must be procured in the United States.

NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY.

An important point settled by President Benson with the British Government during his visit to London, was that of the northwestern boundary of the Republic, separating it from the adjacent British possessions. The Republic had already, by purchase from the natives, the whole coast to the Shebar or Sherbro river; but for some thirty miles that coast was only the "Turner Peninsula,' a sandy strip, not more than three or four miles wide, between the ocean and the Boom Kittam river, beyond which everything was indefinite, and open to British occupancy and acquisition. boundary has now been agreed upon, extending sixty miles inland, of which the Jong river is to be a part, and if found long enough, the whole. This gives the site of the well known Mendi mission, and most of its out-stations to Liberia. Of course this agreement binds only the two nations who have made it, and the native title is yet to be acquired; but that can easily be done, whenever the Republic needs the land.

EDUCATION.

A

One of the most hopeful indications is found in the action of the Government in behalf of education. During the year 1862, the President informs us in his annual message, "The common day schools authorized at the last session to be increased and put into operation in each county, were established as early as the several school committees could engage teachers and procure books. They number in the aggregate sixteen schools, to be increased by the number to be established in Grand Bassa county." The establishment of this system of common schools, to take the place of those sustained and controlled by foreign missionary societies, and open to the children both of native and emigrant parents, is an important movement. The Republic ought to have the control of the education of its own children. There is some difficulty in procuring teachers, as competent persons can obtain higher wages in the service of the Government and of merchants. This want can be supplied only by higher institutions of learning, as it soon will be.

LIBERIA COLLEGE.

Our last report announced the completion of the buildings of Liberia College, the collection of a library and mineralogical cabinet, the inauguration of the college, January 23, 1862, and the delay in the organization of classes, caused by the appointment of two of the professors as commissioners from the Liberian Government to the colored people of the United States. During this suspension, a number of young men have been receiving instruction from a teacher temporarily employed.