DAHOMY. 
^09 
on small wooden stakes. In allusion to these, 
when the king issues orders for war, he only 
announces to his general, that his house wants 
thatch. In this palace, or large housCy as it is 
termed by the Dahomans, above 3000 females 
are commonly immured, and about 500 are ap- 
propriated by each of the principal officers. 
From this injurious and detestable practice, origi- 
nates many flagrant abuses ; the population is di- 
minished, the sources of private happiness destroy- 
ed, and the best feelings of human nature being 
outraged, the energies of passion are converted in- 
to bitterness and ferocity. The first of these evils 
is the establishment of a legal system of prostitu- 
tion, as a considerable proportion of the inferior 
classes are unable to procure wives. As children, 
whether male or female, are considered the ex-» 
elusive property of the king, they are separated 
from their parents at an early period, and receive 
a species of public education, by which means fa- 
mily connexions are annihilated, and the insulated 
individual becomes a passive instrument of tyran- 
nical power. When an individual is able to pro- 
cure 20,000 cowries, he prostrates himself at the 
gate of the king, or his vicegerent, presents the 
money, and begs to be favoured with a wife, when, 
instead of having the opportunity of selecting a 
natural friend, suited to his taste, and adapted to 
gratify the affections of his heart, he must take 
