CHEATING Tilt DEVTL, . §S 
at the root of a tree in a iiiche covered with dry leaves, anil de* 
corate their altars with pieces of linen, cups, plates, pots, or 
bottles, copper-rings_, necklace beads, or other trilles, none of 
them of any value. When the Negroes wish to gain favour in 
the sight of these idols, they provide themselves with a quantity 
of brandy, of which they pour out a small portion for the devil, 
and drink the rest before hini in large quantities. 
Their favourite idols are miide of wood, are from eight to tea 
inches high, and painted black: they are considered as the Pe- 
nates of the hut ; but the people pay tliem little attention, he- 
cause they suppose them not to want their assistance. 
On any event which may happen, these Negroes m'd\e an of- 
fering to their genii, whom they suppose to have the same power 
in the air, as the devils have on earth. The offering is always 
of little vahie; but they have the most implicit reliance on its 
efficacy. It is a crime to carry away one of these idols, even 
unknowingly: the offender is always brought to justice, arid woe 
to him, if lie be poor, or his prosecutor powerful ; for it is sure 
to cost hiin the loss of his liberty. Such are the peculiarities of 
a religion in which it is difficult to distinguish, whether super- 
stition or absurdity be more predominant. 
I have already spoken of the government of the Mandingos. 
They have proceeded from a republican state, and have every 
where formed monarchies; but in this part of Africa thev are 
elective and very limited. In all of them the authority of the 
chief greatly resem.bles that of the father of a familv, and each 
district of this nation has a regulating king or chief of its own. 
The Mandingos and .the Suzees, the most powerful and po- 
pulous nations of the coast, acbiowledge the supremacy of the 
king of the Foulhas, though they never see nor considt him: 
they speak of him, however, with respect, and consider him as 
the potentate, of the great empire which extends from Gambia 
to Cape Monte. The Buiams, the Tommanies, and the 
Bagos admit of no other authority than that of the chief of their 
tribe. 
Excepting amongst the ISIandingos and the Suzees, few of the 
kings belong to the countries which they govern, but are almost 
always foreigners, that is, from different nations of the continent, 
llie reigning prince may chuse himself a lieutenant, who at his 
death succeeds to his honours and governs in his name, as lon:^ 
as he may be suffered to retain his situation ; and if he be clever 
and powerful he never tails to get possession of the hereditary 
property of the deceased, which he keeps till the election of a 
new king; and it is not rare to see the lieutenant either invested 
with the royal dignity, or continue to exercise it all his life, under 
the modest title with which he assumed it. 
