98 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
for the ojBficers ; I could not sell them, but I would give him as 
much as I could, keeping in view that some of the four officers 
might be sick ; he said that I was right, but he could not help 
coveting the greater part of the medicines ; he viewed them all 
over five or six times, and asked rae to give him some of them. 
I did give him as much innocent medicine as I could with pro- 
priety afford ; he thanked me " very much/' I then shewed him 
the botanical books; he was astonished, held up his hand and 
exclaimed hah ! at every brilliant or high coloured plant which he 
saw. All his attendants were closely arranged around : the two 
captains laid hold of a volume each, and were admiring the 
flowers; when either of them ejaculated an admiration, the King 
would seize it, and ask me what that tree was ? After I had told 
him the use of them, I said all these trees grow in England ; and 
the reason the English write all these in a book is, that they may 
know which is a good tree, and which is bad. He expressed the 
greatest astonishment at the flax (hnum), oak " that we build our 
ships with,"" poppy *' that makes a man sleep," and the sensitive 
plant (mimosa), which he pointed out and described himself- 
During this time he whispered to one of his attendants, who went 
out, and returned in a short time with a bit of cloth containing 9 
ackies of gold ; the King presented it to me ; I accepted it, and 
returned thanks. He then asked me if I would come and see him 
at any time he sent for me ; I assured him I would do every thing 
to please him, consistent with my duty. He shook hands with me 
and went into his lio\ise. He returned in a short time, leading his 
sister by the hand, in a manner that would shame many beaux in 
Europe, saying, " this is the white doctor I told you of; go, and 
take his hand ; you are sick, tell him your complaint, and he will 
do you good : the lady comphed with his request. He then said 
" give me that gold I gave you, the cloth is not clean ; I want to 
