298 
THE WESTERN COAST. 
" to culture ; plains embellished with a multitude 
" of towns and villages, placed in full view of the 
" surrounding district ; a gradual and almost im- 
* :t perceptible ascent to the distance of forty or 
1 fifty miles from the sea, which terminates the 
" prospect ; — formed the most picturesque scene 
" imaginable, unobstructed by hill or mountain." 
The Ardranese had attained such a degree of civi- 
lization, that they were able to correspond with 
each other by a species of quippos, similar to the 
Peruvian, and formed by the combination of knots 
upon a cord, to which particular significations 
were attached. 
The character of the Daumanese, or Dahomans, 
is original and strongly marked ; they have retain- 
ed peculiar manners, and have had little inter- 
course with either Europeans or Moors. They 
exhibit the germ of peculiar institutions and mo- 
difications of manners, that have appeared incre- 
dible to modern nations, when they perused the 
ancient records of the Egyptians, Hindus, and La- 
cedemonians. Like the Lacedemonians, they dis- 
play a singular mixture of ferocity and politeness, 
of generosity and cruelty. Their conduct towards 
strangers is hospitable, without any mixture of rude- 
ness or insult. Their appearance is manly, and 
their persons strong and active ; and though they 
are less addicted to the practice of tattowing than 
their neighbours, their countenance rather displays 
