268 
TRAVELS IN THE 
have, however, the management of domestic affairs, and each in 
rotation is mistress of the household, and has the care of dressing 
the victuals, overlooking the female slaves, &c. But though the 
African husbands are possessed of great authority over their 
wives, I did not observe, that in general they treat them with 
cruelty; neither did I perceive that mean jealousy in their dis- 
positions, which is so prevalent among the Moors. They per- 
mit their wives to partake of all public diversions, and this 
indulgence is seldom abused ; for though the Negro women 
are very cheerful and frank in their behaviour, they are by 
no means given to intrigue: I believe that instances of con- 
jugal infidelity are not common. When the wives quarrel 
among themselves, a circumstance which, from the nature of 
their situation, must frequently happen, the husband decides 
betv^een them ; and sometimes finds it necessary to administer 
a little corporal chastisement, before tranquillity can be restored. 
But if any one of the ladies complains to the chief of the 
town, that her husband has unjustly punished her, and shewn 
an undue partiality to some other of his wives, the affair is 
brought to a public trial. In these palavers, however, which are 
conducted chiefly by married men, I was informed that the 
complaint of the wife, is not always considered in a very serious 
light; and the complainant herself, is sometimes convicted of 
strife and contention, and left without remedy. If she murmurs 
at the decision of the court, the magic rod of Mumho Jumbo 
soon puts an end to the business. 
The children of the Mandingoes are not always named after 
their relations ; but frequently in consequence of some remark- 
