298 PROFESSOR SMITH’S JOURNAL. 
up to a hill, which commands an excellent view of the 
river, winding behind a high island, and re-appearing be- 
yond it. The Captain having got into the palanquin, 
which was constructed after the ancient Portuguese fashion, 
and the party disposing itself into a sort of processional 
order, and being put,in motion, which, contrary to European 
custom, is here a full gallop, we soon arrived in the royal 
city, which did not appear to us a very large one. With 
its situation however, and neatness, we were more satisfied. 
On an eminence among palms and Bomba, Adansonia, 
and Ficus, and several other trees; the straw huts were 
scattered about, all of them surrounded by fences, near 
which young trees had been carefully planted. We halted 
by a large old tree, under whose sacred branches the 
meetings of the elders are held, and all public business 
transacted. After some time had elapsed, we were in- 
vited to proceed to the residence of his Majesty, which is 
composed of several huts ranged within a small enclosure. 
The Captain was seated on an elevated place with a large 
umbrella over his head, and we took our seats around him. 
The King, dressed out as if going to ‘a masquerade, in 
drawers and a cloak of silk, and boots of marroquin, 
with a large cap on his head, resembling that of a gre- 
nadier, adorned with flowers, made his appearance, and 
took his seat near the Captain. Next behind us were his 
counsellors, surrounded by a great assemblage of people. 
Mr. Simons, in an ancient court-dress, with a sailor’s 
hat on his head, had here the weighty charge of being the 
interpreter, and had told us the preceding evening that 
