APPENDIX III. 



495 



are allowed a small habitation on their master's estate ; 

 and not being overworked, and the fertile soil furnishing 

 with little trouble the means for their subsistence, they 

 seem to enjoy a considerable portion of contentment and 

 happiness — a strong proof of which is^ that they propa- 

 gate freely. 



All, howeyer, are not equally well situated ; and the 

 advocates for the slave-trade ought to witness the market 

 of Zanzibar, after which, if they possess the slightest spark 

 of generous feeling, I will answer for an alteration in their 

 present opinion. The show commences about 4 o'clock in 

 the afternoon. The slaves, set off to the best advantage 

 by having their skins cleaned, and burnished with cocoa- 

 nut oil, their faces painted with red and white stripes, 

 which is here esteemed elegance, and the hands, noses, 

 ears, and feet, ornamented with a profusion of bracelets of 

 gold and silver and jewels, are ranged in a line, com- 

 mencing with the youngest, and increasing to the rear 

 according to their size and age. At the head of this file, 

 which is composed of all sexes and ages from 6 to 60, 

 walks the person who owns them ; behind, and at each 

 side, two or three of his domestic slaves, armed with 

 swords and spears, serve as a guard. Thus ordered, the 

 procession begins, and passes through the market-place 

 and principal streets ; the owner holding forth,''in a kind of 

 song, the good qualities of his slaves and the high prices 

 that have been offered for them. TThen any of them 

 strikes a spectator's fancy the line immediately stops, and 

 a process of examination ensues, which, for minuteness, is 

 unequalled in any cattle market in Europe. The intending 

 purchaser having ascertained there is no defect in the 



