Even the system of drainage has found its way to this remote region, many of their indigo fields being well drained, as also those in the Mahee country. Their trade is not very extensive, being chiefly confined to their own locality, and is generally a system of barter, though cowries and cloth are the general currency of the country. Their mode of living is much the same as in the Mahee country but they use less hogs’ flesh, and they eat both horses and dogs, and also several species of serpents, frogs, and guanos.
I sailed from Cape Coast for England in February, 1846. Previous to my going on board, I had many little presents sent me, both in the shape of sea-stores and keepsakes, from the merchants and natives in their employment, as well as from the resident Missionaries. I also received some little necessaries from a party of Missionaries who visited Cape Coast on their way to the Calabar, or Bonny River, in one of Mr. Jamieson’s ships; I believe one of them was Mr. Waddel. Our vessel was the Albion of Guernsey, a small schooner of only one hundred and fifty tons; in my precarious state of health, therefore, I was very uncomfortable.
After leaving Cape Coast we called at Accra, and took on board some ivory and gold, remaining at the above place one day and a night. During this time I went on shore to visit some of my old friends, amongst whom was Mr. Bannerman, whose kindness and hospitality are well known, both to the naval and military officers who have ever visited that settlement. I was also kindly received by the resident Wesleyan Missionary.
Here I found an American Missionary and his wife, accompanied by the widow of a brother Missionary, lately deceased. Poor woman! she was apparently fast approaching to her long home. They were all in delicate health, and were passing down the coast for a change of air, but were obliged to leave the vessel.
During my stay I received extreme kindness and attention at the mission-house. I also called at the former residence of Mr. Hanson, a merchant lately deceased. His brother, the Chaplain of Cape Coast, and Mr. R. Hanson from Whydah, were both there. From these gentlemen I experienced great kindness, both now as well as on former occasions. Here I again found my old charger, who had carried me during my long journey in the interior. He was now the property of the Rev. William Hanson, and had only arrived a few days before from Whydah. It had probably been taken little care of, for the poor animal was much reduced in flesh. It recognised my voice, and when I spoke, it immediately neighed and pawed the ground, anxious to come to me.
Mr. Hanson, its owner, asked me to put a pair of fore-shoes on it, remarking that it was the last act of kindness I should ever have an opportunity of bestowing upon the noble little animal. This I readily assented to: after which I proceeded on board, when we immediately set sail for England; where, after a tedious and uncomfortable passage of three months, we arrived. I had much improved in health during the passage, though my accommodation was bad, for I was obliged to sleep on deck during six weeks of the time, owing to the suffocating smell from the heated corn, amongst which some of the palm-oil puncheons had burst.
RANGE OF THE THERMOMETER,
As observed in Dahomey from June 11 to July 7, 1845.
| Rise and Fall during Day, from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. | Remarks. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date. | Rise. | Fall. | |
| Deg. | Deg. | ||
| June 11 | 80 | 76 | In house, against clay wall. |
| ” 12 | 82 | 78 | In house. |
| ” 13 | 81 | 75 | Ditto. |
| ” 14 | 82 | 76 | Ditto. |
| ” 15 | 80 | 77 | Ditto. |
| ” 16 | 81 | 76 | Ditto. |
| ” 17 | 80 | 74 | Heavy tornado at 2 P.M.; fall suddenly to 74°. |
| ” 18 | 82 | 76 | |
| ” 19 | 80 | 74 | |
| ” 20 | 81 | 74 | |
| ” 21 | 78 | 74 | Unusually cold; natives feverish; cold and rainy season. |
| ” 22 | 78 | 74 | Cloudy. |
| ” 23 | 78 | 76 | Cloudy. |
| ” 24 | 82 | 75 | Morning cloudy. |
| ” 25 | 77 | 75 | Cold and showery all day; tornado. |
| ” 26 | 81 | 74 | Cloudy in the evening; very dark night. |
| ” 27 | 82 | 73 | Wind; storm. |
| ” 28 | 82 | 73 | Heavy shower. |
| ” 29 | 79 | 74 | |
| ” 30 | 82 | 73 | Cold rainy night; wind west. |
| July 1 | 82 | 74 | Very windy, and unusually steady. |
| ” 2 | 80 | 73 | Slight showers; wind west. |
| ” 3 | 77 | 73 | Showers in the morning; day cloudy. |
| ” 4 | 82 | 73 | Heavy tornado; lightning and thunder heavy. |
| ” 5 | 81 | 70 | This day temperature changeable during a tornado, the heaviest seen; thermometer fell to 70°. |
| ” 6 | 80 | 73 | Unusually cold in the morning. |
| ” 7 | 82 | ||
THE END.