GEOGRAPHY. 
165 
fetish women, and came to Christiansburg Castle in despair. He 
afterwards expressed his wish to visit the Ashantee kingdom ; and 
being encouraged, he set out in June 1786, and staying some days 
in Aquapim, was just about to enter Akim, when he was recalled 
by the Governor. A dangerous illness, heightened by his disap- 
pointment, soon afterwards disgusted him with the country, and 
he left it for the West Indies. As Dr. Isert's letters are only known 
in German and Dutch,* and he was an industrious and scientific 
observer, an extract from his description of the Aquapim country 
will be acceptable. I am indebted for a Latin translation of this 
and other passages, adduced on different subjects, to Dr. Reyn- 
haut of Elmina Castle. 
" I began my journey early in the morning of the .17th of June, 
and after walking two hours I arrived at a little village, pictures- 
quely situated, named Aschiama. Two hours behind this lies a 
chain of mountains, which are composed of granitous stones ; flints 
are but rarely found. The whole prospect shews itself here in a 
very different manner to that observed in sandy countries ; the 
rocks are covered with lofty trees, which are encompassed with 
small forests almost impervious. The soil, no longer sandy, becomes 
argillaceous, and excellent for vegetation. Behind these forests I 
arrived at a Negro village called Abodee, eight leagues from 
Christiansburg : the inhabitants of this place are very tenacious of 
native ceremony and etiquette. Thence I passed by an irregular 
path through the following villages, Fiasso, Eientema, Eutu, 
Mampon, Odaky, Manno, and Manseng. An hour afterwards I 
reached a village named Kommong, the residence of H. R. H. the 
Duke of Aquapim. Here the country is charming, though forests 
are still to be found. Mountains, rocks, and valhes vary each 
* " Reize van Koppenhagen naar Guinea, &c, Door den Heer Isert. Arasteldam^ 
■i;97. Naar bet Hoog Duitsch;' 
