into the forest, and saw a pretty new variety of justicia: the colour was pink and white, and the leaf large and deeply nerved, very much like justicia nervosa. I also saw a handsome species of hibiscus, which I had never seen before the leaf was large, and the flower pink and

white.

The insects in the neighbourhood of Fomunah and Dumpási are very fine: many of the butterflies are large, double the size of the purple emperor of England. Their colours are very rich. The wings of some are beautifully situated. One of my hammock-men caught a fine species of hawk-moth: unfortunately the rich down was so much rubbed off the wings, that I did not see it in perfection. Its principal colour was green.

In the evening many of our carriers, and a party of the Ashantis, collected together, at one end of the town, and danced for the space of an hour or more, to the sound of their rude music, which was played by the Ashantis. Though I could not, of course, admire the dance, yet the beautiful idea of the harmony which is now beginning to exist betwixt the two nations, produced in my mind the most thrilling sensation. Yes, the most bitter, the most determined, enemies are become friends; and thus is a gracious Providence preparing the way for the introduction of the Gospel of peace among them.

The scenery about Dumpási, though not so bold as that of Quisah and Fomunah, is still very beautiful. The town is skirted on one side by immense foresttrees, chiefly silk-cotton, towering to an enormous height; (from one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet;) and, as the shades of evening approach, the appearance of the dark green foliage of the underwood, the huge grey trunks of the trees running perpendicularly to a height of eighty or one hundred feet entire without a branch, above which the huge arms extend themselves almost horizon. tally to a great distance, presenting one of the most majestic objects on which the eye can rest; the empurpled heavens appearing in the mighty distance beyond these sylvan shades, while the gentle zephyr is scarcely perceptible as it wafts over the way the balmy fragrance of some of Flora's richest beauties, all combine to produce a scene bordering on enchantment. The peaceful sylvan shades of the interior of Guinea are peculiarly grateful to a reflective mind. In walking through these beauteous scenes, I felt the force of the following lines of an eminent poet :

"Tis the pure hour for poetry and thought, When passions sink, and man surveys the heavens,

And feels himself immortal!"

7th. At half-past four A. M. I sent to call up the people to prepare for resum ing our journey. At five a. M. nearly every thing was ready.

When travelling successively every day, there is but little trouble in managing the men; but if they are allowed to rest for a day or two, there is a danger of their unintentionally getting unmsnageable; or, at least, a little out of order. Of this I had a specimen this morning in the conduct of my hammock. men, who, though Pagans, are one of the most obedient and best sets of men in the country. They had been, as I have already observed, called up at half-past four A. M.; but five o'clock came with. out their making their appearance, and I stood waiting for them to come and take up my chair, and proceed with the rest of the party. I sent for them a second time; but they came not. I then thought it best to go after them myself; and, on entering their quarters, I found them all comfortably seated, taking an early breakfast. This was out of all order, as they were always allowed plenty of time to take their meals whenever we stopped during the day: they themselves knew they were wrong, and took the alarm the moment they saw me. As I stepped in among them, they jumped up, and flew in every direction. They were sitting round a large earthen pot of soup, out of which they were all feeding with their fingers. In their hurry they broke the pot all to pieces, and spilt the contents on the ground. The doors of the native dwellings are generally very small; and as several of them tried to rush through at the same time, they knocked down much of the wall near it. One of them ran into a small yard, where his progress was retarded by a wall about six feet high, plastered with swish or clay. Deter mined not to be foiled by the wall, though a pretty strong one of the kind, he, with astonishing activity, commenced pulling a part of it down, looking over one of his shoulders the while, to see if I was coming after him; and in a space of time that seemed almost incredible, he was at his post with his companions. I need not say, that this little fracas caused me no small amusement; and as these frail buildings are easily repaired, the damages were not enough to cause much regret. When I pointed out to the men the inconsistency of their conduct in being sa

late at their posts, they humbly acknowledged their error, and promised to do so

no more.

At a quarter past five A. M. we proceeded on our journey. The morning was very fine. We stopped to breakfast at Sakwanta, and then proceeded to Akwankowási, where we arrived at ten A. M.; and as we have plenty of time before us, the King having arranged for receiving us in Kumási on Monday next, we took up our quarters for the night.

It

The scenery around Akwankowási is chaste and pretty. The croom is smaller than either Fomunah or Dumpasi. is situated on a rising ground, and surrounded by a belt of plantain-trees, beyond which rise, in majestic beauty, some large silk-cotton trees, intermingled with some splendid specimens of acacia and mimosa, from thirty to fifty feet high. There are also several large trees, covered with papilionaceous climbers, with foliage of the most beautiful description. Walking out in the cool of the evening, I saw a species of acacia, bearing a number of fine seed-vessels. I immediately had the tree cut down; and as I was watching it falling, I observed an immense moth, like some of the very large species brought to England from South America, fly from the top of the tree, and alight on a small shrub near to where I stood. I had a small fly-net in my hand; but the handle was not long enough to reach it. I tried to approach it by climbing a few steps on the stem of a small tree near it, which was growing in a slanting direction; but, before I could get near it, it flew away. I followed it through the forest for about one hundred yards without success. It was by far the largest insect of the kind which I have seen in Guinea. It was of a greyish colour, with large white round spots on the wings. These immense forests are full of objects of the highest interest to the lover of God's book of nature. On every hand there is something to ponder and admire. Their damp recesses produce the most splendid varieties of ferns and mosses, and other plants of the cryptogamia family, and afford shelter and support for many kinds of moths and crustaceous insects, &c., while the splendid vegetable productions of the higher grounds, with the beautiful insects flitting from tree to tree, fill the mind with pleasure.

In the course of the day, I saw in the town a white negress. Her complexion was nearly as fair as that of a fair European her hair between an amber and a straw colour. She appeared to be about

thirty years of age; but not so healthy as her jetty neighbours. It appeared to me as though her fair complexion was the effect of some extraordinary family disease. It is not at all unusual to see natives, especially men, with their arms and legs, hands and feet, covered with large white spots from one to two inches broad, the effects of a disease called the krankras, and, more generally still, the effects of a kind of ring-worm, produced by an indiscriminate use of the different species of fungi indigenous to the soil of the country, which they use as mushrooms. Many of the diseases of the natives appeared similarly to result from a careless selection of vegetable food; but there are instances in which vegetable matter, coming in contact with the skin, by some singular and extraordinary process causes a large swelling, which, on opening, contains a maggot about half an inch long.

8th. We stopped the whole day at Akwankowási: the heat was very intense. I cut down a species of mimosa, to obtain some of its splendid seed-vessels, from twelve to fifteen inches in length; the foliage is exquisitely beauti ful.

9th. At half-past four A. M. I sent round to call up the carriers, &c. At five A. M. we started for Eduabin, and passed through a beautiful part of the country, more thickly populated, and more extensively cultivated, than many parts of the interior through which I have passed since we left Mansu. We saw, a short distance from the path, a specimen of the babab (adansonia digitata).

INDICATIONS OF INCIPIENT CIVILIZATION.

These

The roads are beautifully cleared and prepared for us. We have to-day passed over several streams by means of temporary bridges, which have been thrown across by order of the King, to facilitate our journey with the carriage, are the first attempts at making bridges which I have ever seen in the interior. They are constructed in the following manner : some stout, forked sticks are driven in the centre of the stream, at convenient distances, across which are placed some strong beams, lashed to the forked sticks or posts with withes, made from the numerous climbing-plants on every hand. On these bearers are placed long stout poles, which are covered with earth about from four to six inches thick, and this completes the bridge. Great and important results are often produced by little things. And who knows to

what this may lead? Our taking up the carriage is the cause of a better road being made through this part of Ashanti than has ever been seen before, according to the unanimous testimony of all the people; and good roads are one of the greatest means of promoting civilization, as well as an almost universal indication of national improvement.

At a quarter before three P. M. we reached Eduabin, and halted for the night.

To-day I have heard of, though I have not seen, a repetition of those bloody scenes with which I became too familiar on my first visit to Ashanti. We stopped to take breakfast at Amafuri, a pretty croom about a mile and a half from Bekwah, a very large town, the residence and domain of Bekwah Osai, one of the most powerful of the Ashanti Chiefs. As the road to Kumási does not pass through Bekwah, we sent messengers to Bekwah Osai to present our respects, &c.; and, on their return, we were informed, that a human sacrifice had been made in the town, and that the poor victim of this cruel superstition was lying exposed in the public street.

Merciful God, send down thy Spirit, enlighten these pagan minds, and save the purchase of thy Son's most precious blood!

"Assert thy worship and renown;

O all-redeeming God, come down!" Eduabin is beautifully situated on a small hill, surrounded by a splendid landscape. Its population may be from seven to eight hundred, including its little crooms around. It is not now in that dilapidated state in which I found it on my first visit to Kumási: the houses are in better repair, and several new ones have been erected.

10th. In the course of the morning, a misunderstanding took place between our Fanti carriers and the people of Eduabin, on account of the scanty supply of native food with which the former were furnished. A Fanti was complaining, that he and his companions could obtain no food, and told some of the natives of the town that they ought to be ashamed of themselves, in allowing them to want food; and remarked, that they, the Ashántis, when they came down to CapeCoast, always found a necessary supply of food. One of the townspeople, piqued at the remark, took it up warmly, and said, "Well, if we do get plenty of food at Cape-Coast, we pay for it." The Fanti, feeling at the time the cravings of hunger, and incensed at the insinuation

of dishonest principle into which he had construed the language of the Ashanti, answered, "We want nothing without paying for it: we are daily supplied with money to buy food; and do you think our masters would allow us to take things without paying for them?" These remarks were followed by a scuffle between a few men of each nation; and the Ashanti who had been the principal talker in the affair sustained a little rough treatment. On hearing of this, I sent for the Fanti who had taken the leading part, and required him to remain on the spot, until I could investigate the matter. Shortly after the King's mes sengers and several of the Ashantis came and entreated me to pardon the man. This I promised to do; but told them, at the same time, that I must inquire strictly into the affair, and talk to the carriers, for the purpose of preventing any thing of the kind in future.

Every preparation being made for our departure for Karsi, very early in the afternoon we sat down to take some refreshment, when I embraced an oppor tunity of investigating the matter. On inquiry, I found that the Chief of Edua bin, to whom the greater number of the plantain-plantations, &c., belong, being at Kumasi, the people were afraid to act in the absence of their master, and hence the scarcity of food in the town. This explanation, on the part of the Ashantis, was, of course, satisfactory; and ignerance of this fact, on the part of the Fantis, was a sufficient excuse for their expressions of dissatisfaction. Things being thus comfortably settled, I then, in the presence of all the Ashantis, cautioned the Fantis against any unkind expressions or rash conduct; and told them, that we were now travelling under the protection of the King of Ashanti, that I was responsible for their good conduct, and that if they had any complaints to make, they must bring them to me, and I would attend to them; but if they neglected to do this, and took the matter into their own hands, the first transgressor must expect just censure. Some of the men appeared much affected, and all promised obedience. Gimahin, the chief of the King's messengers, said, "During our long and tedious journey of so many weeks, we have all been comfortable and happy; and it would be very foolish to fall out now, when we are nearly at the end of our journey."

We started from Eduabin at two P. M., and reached Karsi about five P. M. On our way we passed through Esargu, the little croom where I spent the last

Sabbath and last night on my way up, on my first visit to Kumasi. As we passed through, the people recognised me with smiling countenances. The appearance of the forest near Karsi is peculiarly beautiful: the road, within a mile or two of the croom, leads through a splendid grove of acacia and mimosa, many of them sixty or seventy feet high. O the majesty, the splendour, of these tropical forests! Hail, beautiful spots! may you soon resound with the name of Jesus!

11th. At five A. M. I called up the men to go into the forest and cut wood, &c., for a temporary cover; and by halfpast twelve P. M. we had a large, comfortable shed erected, thatched with grass and plantain-leaves. In the course of the afternoon, messengers arrived from the King, with a present of three sheep and some palm-wine. Prince William Quantamissah's sister also came over from Kumási to see her brother. She is a fine young woman, about eighteen years of age. The chief messenger, who came from Kumási with the present, had in his hand a huge gold-handled sword, and a golden decanter: I presume they are the same which I saw on my first visit to Kumasi.

Sunday, 12th.-At half-past eleven A. M. I conducted divine service under the large shed erected yesterday: the congregation was numerous and very attentive. I preached from 2 Cor. viii. 9.

Mr. Brooking is poorly this morning. About half-past four P. M. a party of messengers arrived from the King, with a present of palm-wine. The chief messenger rode on a strong Ashanti pony, with an Arabic or Moorish saddle and bridle.

PREPARATIONS FOR ENTERING

KUMASI, THE CAPITAL. 13th. We started from Karsi at five A. M., and reached Kumási about seven A. M. At the entrance of the town we stopped, and had the carriage cleaned and put in order for presentation. We afterwards took breakfast, and waited for a messenger from the King. About half-past eight a. M. my old friend Apoko arrived, with a countenance beaming with satisfaction and delight at seeing me again. He was accompanied by a large train of messengers with gold-handled swords, and canes richly ornamented with gold. There were also several others of the King's linguists in his train. They gave us all a hearty welcome, and told us the King would soon be ready to receive us. The carriage excited intense

interest among a large crowd of the nas tives, who collected around while the men were cleaning it.

Apoko left us for a time; and a servant from the King's household came to take charge of our luggage, and see it safely lodged in our quarters.

FAVOURABLE RECEPTION FROM
THE KING.

About two P. M. Apoko came to conduct us to the King. We found him seated in the same place where he sat to receive me on my first visit to Kumasi. We paid our respects to him in the same manner as I had done before, and passed on, through an immense concourse of people, to take our seats at a distance, and wait to receive a return of the compliment from the King and his numerous Chiefs. The King then sent us some palm-wine; and, after we had refreshed ourselves with a draught of it, the mass was put in motion, and the King and the Chiefs came round according to the usual custom. The King stopped opposite us for some little time, and surveyed the Princes, Quantamissah and Ansah, (as they stood in their English military dresses, one on my right hand and the other on my left,) from head to foot, under the influence of considerable emotion. He appeared affected it was indeed a noble scene. Yes; the King of Ashánti is capable of feeling some of those sensations which delight the heart, on a happy and auspicious meeting, after a long separation. If this be felt by the King of Ashanti, surrounded as he is by ignorance and gloom, O what must be the feeling of those happy spirits who meet to part no more in the regions of glory! But whither am I wandering? I am still in the vale of tears!

I intended that the carriage should follow us in the procession, as we went round to pay our respects; but the crowd was so dense, that it was impossible, and I consequently sent it round to the place where we expected to take our seats. When the King came round, the carriage stood opposite to us, at a distance of six or eight yards; so that, in walking round, the King came between us and the carriage. After he had stopped opposite us, as already mentioned, he turned towards the carriage, and looked at it for some time with much apparent satisfaction; after which, he passed on, followed by many of his Captains. There was the same extraordinary display of barbaric gold, blood-stained stools, &c., as I witnessed on my former visit, with the ex

ception of the horrible death-drum: this, I am glad to say, was not in the procession. The gaudy pageant exhibited a hundred and twenty-five large kabosirs' umbrellas, of various colours, some of which were very handsome. This was a larger number than I saw on my first visit. On my first visit I saw no female in the procession, properly speaking; but on this occasion an elderly sister of the King, who seems to occupy the position of Queen-mother, and several of the King's wives, came round and shook us heartily by the hand. Between the King's sister and his wives appeared about twenty-four girls, from eight to twelve years of age: their skins were marked with stripes of red ochre, pipeclay, and charcoal, and each carried in one hand a small stick, covered with gold, about a foot long, one end of which they placed in their mouths.

DELIVERY OF THE CARRIAGE, AND OTHER PRESENTS.

14th.

At two P. M. we went to visit the King. He was seated under his large umbrellas in front of his residence. I then formally introduced the Princes to him, and also Mr. Smith, (who accom panied us from Cape-Coast,) and Mr. Brooking; and presented the carriage in the name of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. On presenting the carriage, I told him it was sent by the Society as a token of their good feeling towards himself and his people, and that they hoped he would use it, and that it would lead him to improve his country, by making good roads; which was one of the greatest means of promoting civilization, and one indication of national advancement. He accepted the present, received the message in a very gracious manner, and begged me to present his thanks to the Wesleyan Missionary Society. He also expressed his satisfaction at the return of the Princes; and his thanks to Her Majesty the Queen of England, and to Governor Maclean, for the kindness and attention which had been shown to his nephews.

We took our seats at a short distance, and the King and many of his Chiefs, &c., came round to return thanks according to the custom of the country. The carriage was then taken into one of the palace-yards, and the King met us there, to receive all the necessary information respecting the carriage, harness, &c. On my telling him, that Her Majesty

I find, on inquiry, that this person is the only sister the King has.

the Queen of England had seen it, he seemed very much pleased, and said, "The Queen of England is Queen of Queens of the white people, and I am King of Kings of the black people; and now we have carriages alike: this is very good." After all the necessary explana tions were gone through, and the present was delivered up to the King, I felt thankful that so great a task, as that of getting it up for nearly two hundred miles through the forests of Guinea, where we had often been obliged to cut our way through the thick jungle, and to have recourse to various means, in order to transport it across the rivers and deep ravines,+ had been so fully accomplished, and that so great a triumph of civilization over barbarism had been achieved. I felt it an ample reward for a hundred and fifty miles' journey on foot, and all the care and anxiety which I had felt during that journey.-When we took our seats in the street where I introduced the Princes, &c., the King sent us some refreshment; consisting of Madeira wine, brandy, cherry-brandy, and liquors, with a supply of delicious water, all neatly served up in decanters on a tray, with tumblers and wine-glasses. The interview was altogether very interesting.

15th. At half-past two F. M. we again went to the royal residence, to deliver the presents which had been sent from Her Majesty the Queen of England, and the other smaller presents from the Wesleyan Missionary Society. We took our own carpenters to open the packages. The first was a fine portrait of Her Majesty, with which the King was very much pleased, and said, he should place it in his stone house, and often look at it, because it was very handsome, and because Her Majesty was his friend. The next box contained a view of Windsor Castle; and he ap peared very much pleased with this view of that noble residence.

After Her Majesty's presents, followed several more from our Society; namely, cutlery from friends in Sheffield; a pair of boots, highly finished, from Maccles field; a tin box, from Mr. Chubb; (japanned ;) some beautiful glass-ware, from Mr. Naylor, of London; and some handsome ladies' dresses, from friends at Keighley. All the presents were very graciously received, and the King seemed pleased with every thing.

The King's sister (Queen-mother) was seated near the King, and seemed

+ Where, in all probability, no such thing had ever passed before.