262 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
another country, whence they returned after a long period, with 
various merchandise to barter with the blacks, who might have 
been the superior people. 
With this imaginary alienation from the God of the universe, not 
a shade of despondency is associated ; they consider that it dimi- 
nishes their comforts and their endowments on earth, but that 
futurity is a dull and torpid state to the majority of mankind. 
Their fetishes or subordinate deities, are supposed to inhabit 
particular rivers, woods, and mountains, as the imaginary deities 
of the Celts. They are venerated in proportion as their predic- 
tions (always equivocal) chance to be reahzed. The present 
favourite fetish of Ashantee is that of the river Tando. Cobee, a 
river in Dankara, and Odentee on the Adirree, are two of the 
others. 
The kings, caboceers, and the higher class, are believed to 
dwell with the superior Deity after death, enjoying an eternal 
renewal of the state and luxury they possessed on earth. It is with 
this impression, that they kill a certain number of both sexes at the 
funeral customs, to accompany the deceased, to announce bis 
distinction, and to administer to his pleasures. 
The spirits of the inferior classes are believed to inhabit the 
houses of the fetish, in a state of torpid indolence, which recom- 
penses them for the drudgery of their lives, and which is truly 
congenial to the feelings of the Negro. Those of superior w^isdom 
and experience, are said to be endued with foresight after death, 
and to be appointed to observe the lives, and advise the good of 
those mortals who acknowledge the fetish ; their state correspond- 
ing, in short, with that of the first race of men after death, as 
described by Hesiod. Those whose enormities nuUify the media- 
tion of the funeral custom, or, whom neglect or circumstances 
might have deprived of it, are doomed, in the imagination of others. 
