DAHOMY. 
" lished with a multitude of towns and villages, 
" placed in full view of the surrounding district j 
" a gradual and almost imperceptible ascent to 
" the distance of forty or fifty miles from the sea, 
" which terminates the prospect ; — formed the 
" most picturesque scene imaginable, unobstruct- 
" ed by hill or mountain/* The Ardranese had 
attained such a degree of civilization, 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 
Lacedemonians. Like the Lacedemonians, they 
display a singular mixture of ferocity and polite- 
ness, of generosity and cruelty. Their conduct 
towards strangers is hospitable, without any mix- 
ture of rudeness 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 counte« 
nance rather displays ferocity than courage, 
YOU IT, V 
