METHOD OF ELECTING A KING. 
65 
bloody the latter of which they have drawn from themselves by 
scratching; and they continue to howl like persons deranged till 
the body is put in the ground. 
The same ceremonies are observed at the deatii of the kins: ; 
and on this occasion the women of whom he has been most fond, 
and the slaves for whom he had occasion either to serve or divert 
iiim, are murdered and buried in his grave. It is, however, 
asserted, that this custom is now almost abolished, that is, that a 
smaller number of those miserable people are buried with the body 
of their king. 
The order of succession to the throne is regulated in a manner 
truly extraordinary. Four of the strongest noblemen carry the 
body of the deceased king as far as the sepulchre ; on reaching 
which thev toss the bier up in the air and keep it from fallino^ 
to the ground. After giving the corpse several propulsions of 
this kind, they let it fall upon the grandees who have pros- 
trated themselves around the grave ; and the person on whom the 
royal body rests, is immediately proclaimed king. 
Hence royalty is elective in the Bissaux island; though from 
llie arrangements that are made, the election cannot fall upon 
any but a prince of the royal family, namely the sons, brothers, 
or nephews of the deceased. It muy easily be supposed that 
those who aspire to the throne, neglect no means to gain the 
favour of the electors; and happy is he who is rich enough to 
acquire their good opinion, and obtain their royal burden : such 
an one on being proclaimed king^ has the diadem encircled on 
his head; that is, tisey twist round his cap two folds of rope^ 
v.hich is the mark of his sovereign power. 
I shall terminate this chapter by mentioning a phenomenon 
observed by M. Brue. He declares, that he saw on this island 
a white woman who had a black father and mother : she was 
married to a black man, and all their children were of his colour. 
Several travellers iiave mentioned similar occurrences; but none 
of them attempt to point out the cause. 
DUR AN n J 
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