Journal of an African Cruiser

ssionaries-Prosperity of the Catholic Mission-King Freeman, and h

He and his suite dined in the cabin, and some of the officers of the Porpoise in the ward-room. In the evening, we brought out all our forces for the amusement of our distinguished guests. First, the negro band sang "Old Dan Tucker," "Jim along Josey," and other ditties of the same class, accompanied by violin and tambourine. Then Othe

Palmas, in compan

or 80 degrees, these naked boatmen were shivering, and seemed absolutely to suffer with cold; and such is the eff

removed to Gaboon river. Mr. James presented us with some ebony, and a few Grebo books. He informed us that the fever had visited him more or

rincipally through Lyons, in France; and the enterprise is said to be under the patronage of the king. The abundant pecuniary means which the priests have at command, and the imposing and attractive ceremonies of their mode of worship-so well fitted to produce an effect on uncultivated natures, where appeals either to the intellect or the heart would be thrown away-are among the chief causes of their success. It is said, too, and perhaps with truth, that as many converts are made, among the natives, by presents, as by persuasion. But no small degree of the prosperity of the mission must be attri

and held a palaver, while some twenty of his subjects stood respectfully around. He remembered my former visit to the colony, and appeared very glad to see me again. His town was nearly deserted, the people having gone out to gather rice. About the royal residence, and in the

wo epaulettes, a redcap, and checked trowsers. He received some powd

is to make a cruise with us. The father particularly requested that his son might be flogged, saying, "Spos

cool breeze. We sailed from Cape Pa

y of a straw hat and a piece of white or colored cotton girded about their loins. In their canoes, they deposit these girdles in the crowns of their hats; nor is it unusual, when a shower threatens them on shore, to see them place this sole garment in the same convenient receptacle, and then make for shelter. When rowing a boat, or paddling a canoe, it is their custom to sing; and, as the music goes on, they seem to become invigorated, applying their strength cheerfully, and with limbs as unw

d earn something to take to their families. On the return of these wanderers-not like the prodigal son, but bringing wealth to their kindred-great rejoicings are instituted. A bullock is killed by the head of the family, guns are fired, and two or three days are spent in the performance of various plays and dances. The "boy" give

y the Africans than by

ld, he seldom seeks to e

a young man falls in lov

latter makes propositio

ee to the match, announc

ferent places, and is a

he respectability and po

he girl. The arrangement

nly five or six years o

s until womanhood, and

rideg

ceive the stipulated pr

Should she prove fait

efunded by her friends,

of him who seduces or

e (which, however, is g

and a much heavier expe

nt of married life, the

omplains to her father,

more frequently advises

she is tied, starved, an

which generally produ

are considered too uncertain for human judgment. If her stomach free itself from the fatal draught by vomiting, she is declared innocent, and is taken back by her family without repayment of the dower. On the oth

epancy in the moral sy

he women. No disgrace i

ces of a white man, prov

her husband. The latter

and superior order of b

affair of this nature,

oposals, in view of such

, it is affirmed, is the

ning his resentment, w

olated wife returns to

confines herself as rigi

this singular suspensio

ac

dation indicated by t

perior to other native f

. The wife first married

nd rules the other women

mon husband and master.

a man to live two, three

s old age advances, he

f the members of which r

them (as usage permit

n of sixty or seventy

wondered at that they s

ition