THE 



National Geographic Magazine 



Vol. VIII 



JANUARY, 1897 



No. 1 



THE GOLD COAST, ASHANTl, AND KUMASSI 



By George K. French 



The Guinea coast lies between the southern boundary of Sierra 

 Leone and the delta of the tortuous Niger, in West Africa. It 

 is a part of Africa that abounds in dark tradition and tragedy, 

 and romance has never dared to trespass on its forbidding shore 

 or penetrate its deadly s\vami)S and jungle. It is a place where 



ONE OF THE HUTS OF KING I'RF.MPF.H'S PALACE 



From a pliotogi-at>h by George K. French 



