266 
DESCRIPTION OF TIMBO. 
seen there. The inhabitants are rich. All the women 
have silver bracelets, and large gold ear-rings, and wear 
clothes of blue Guinea stuff, which is a sign of great 
luxury amongst these Africans. Timbo is a military post, 
and consequently has not much trade. Arms and contri- 
butions have enriched it ; it enjoys, moreover, the privilege of 
the exclusive traffic with Kissin-Kissin, and Bengala, while 
Labbé,* the great city of the empire, trades with Kakandé 
and Dianfou.t 
It is impossible for me to estimate the population of 
Timbo with more accuracy than I have done above ; for 
when I was there, only old men, children, and cripples 
or infirm persons were left, and a very small number of 
women were to be seen. All the huts are built with taste. 
The courts are planted with papaw and banana trees. 
I did not experience any ill treatment from the inhabi- 
tants of this city, and that is the only commendation I can 
bestow on them : their constant habit of seeing strangers 
must be the cause ; for they have very frequent communi- 
cations with the Rio Nunez, and Sierra Leone. 
The women of Timbo, like those of all the cities, are 
very impudent ; they incessantly importune strangers with 
their requests, or torment them by their jeers. I have already 
said that the wife of Ali of Niebel was from Timbo. The 
* There is a market in this city. t Other factories on the Rio Nunez. 
