MISSION TO ASHANTEE. S7 
which hold the charges, and covered with leopard or pig's skin) 
were embossed with red shells, and small brass bells thickly hung 
to them ; on their hips and shoulders was a cluster of knives ; iron 
chains and collars dignified the most daring, who were prouder of 
them than of gold ; their muskets had rests affixed of leopard's 
skin, and the locks a covering of the same ; the sides of their faces 
were curiously painted in long white streaks, and their arms also 
striped, having the appearance of armour. 
We were suddenly surprised by the sight of Moors, who afforded 
the first general diversity of dress ; there were seventeen superiors, 
arrayed in large cloaks of white satin, richly trimmed with 
spangled embroidery, their shirts and trowsers were of silk, and a 
very large turban of white muslin was studded with a border of 
different coloured stones : their attendants wore red caps and 
turbans, and long white shirts, which hung over their trowsers ; 
those of the inferiors were of dark blue cloth : they slowly raised 
their eyes from the ground as we passed, and with a most malignant 
scowl. 
The prolonged flourishes of the horns, a deafening tumult of 
drums, and the fuller concert of the intervals, announced that we 
were approaching the king : we were already passing, the principal 
officers of his houshold ; the chamberlain, the gold horn blower, 
the captain of the messengers, the captain for royal executions, 
the captain of the market, the keeper of the roj^al burial ground, 
and the master of the bands, sat surrounded by a retinue and 
splendor which bespoke the dignity and importance of their 
offices. The cook had a number of small services covered with 
leopard's skin held behind him, and a large quantity of massy 
silver plate was displayed before him, punch bowls, waiters, coffee 
pots, tankards^ and a very large vessel with heavy handles and 
clawed feet, which seemed to have been made to hold incense ; I 
