230 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
distinguish themselves, but never exceeded, being in their ejes a 
mystical one. Many of these reside in a secluded part of the 
King's croom, or country residence, at Barramang; a greater 
number in a croom, at the back of the palace, immediately in the 
marsh ; and the remainder in two streets of the capital. Many, 
probably, the King has never seen. The streets as well as the 
croom, are inhabited by them exclusive]}^ and never approached 
but by the King's messengers, or their female relatives, who only 
communicate with them at the entrances, which are closed at each 
end with bamboo doors, where there is always a guard. If the 
King consaws or marries an infant at the breast, which is not 
unfrequent, she is thenceforth confined to the house, and rigorously 
secluded from the sight of any but the female part of her family. 
The King has seldom more than six wives resident with him in the 
palace. On the occasion of signing the treaty, as explained in tlie 
public letter, about 300 were assembled, and none but the King's 
Chamberlain, and the deputies of the parts of the government, 
were allowed to be present : they were addressed through their 
own linguist, a very decrepid old man ; many of them were very 
handsome, and their figures exquisite. When they go out, which 
is seldom, they are encircled and preceded by troops of small boys 
w^ith thongs or whips of elephants hide, who lash every one severely 
who does not quit their path for another, or jump into the bush 
with his hands before his eyes ; and sometimes the offenders are 
heavily fined besides. The scrambhng their approach occasioned, 
in the more public parts of the city, was very diverting; captains, 
caboceers, slaves, and children tumbling one over another. I was 
told what it cost the King daily to support them, but it has escaped 
me ; they are said to live as daintily as himself. None but the chief 
eunuch, an immense creature, is allowed to bear a message to the 
King when in the seraglio of the palace. 
