PREFACE. 
vii 
attention of the ethnologist, who will gain from it a 
far deeper insight into the political, social, and religious 
life of the Ashantee nation than any traveller has hitherto 
been able to give — but it must command the interest of 
all who desire the extension of Christ's kingdom, more 
especially of English Christians. 
The most recent events in the history of Ashantee are 
a tangible confirmation of the repeated experience, that a 
kingdom which resists the spread of gospel light, and 
refuses to recognise the day of its visitation, is ripening 
for internal decay, convulsion, and dissolution. The 
latest news (see " The Evangelischer Heidenbote " (Calw), 
Dec. 1874), make it a matter of certainty that the king- 
dom of Ashantee is doomed. Kofi Kari-Kari, a weak, 
vain, deceitful monarch, is apparently unable to recover 
the effect of his defeat. His role appears to be well- 
nigh finished, his chiefs and allies are leaving him, and 
he has already been compelled to admit the independence 
of his most powerful vassal, the king of Dwaben. 
May we not believe that God has permitted one of the 
most powerful kingdoms of Western Africa to be thus ter- 
ribly humiliated, in order that a free entrance may be 
opened into that land for the Gospel of Peace ? The un- 
broken power of Ashantee has hitherto — with few and 
rare exceptions — withstood the influence of the gospel, 
and would have continued to render the establishment of 
new missions fruitless, if not impossible. The yoke of des- 
potism is now broken, and the agglomeration of tribes once 
held together by superstition and fear, is beginning to be 
dissolved into its constituent elements. 
The nationalities hitherto enslaved by Ashantee are 
seeking a closer alliance with England, and wish to be ad- 
