70 MISSIONARY LIFE IN ASIIANTEE. 
chamberlain's chair, while we walked by her side. Tlie 
distance was in itself very short, but they delight to 
conduct strangers by circuitous routes. Men bearing- 
swords hurried up and down the broad avenues of palm 
trees, witL an air of great importance, while drums were 
beaten, and horns blown. The melee was indescribable ; 
mahomedans in their long robes were strutting about, 
minutely inspecting us as we passed onward to the 
beautiful square in front of the king's villa (called Aman- 
chia). 
Here in the middle of a brilliant circle, shaded by noble 
palms, sat his majesty of Ashantee, fanned by pages, and 
surrounded by interpreters and cliiefs. A crowd of about 
three thousand people were seen assembled at a distance. 
Each chief was shaded by a bright coloured umbrella, 
some twelve feet in diameter, the points of which were 
ornamented with carved and gilded elephants, pelicans, 
apes, and human heads ; both the king and the chiefs had 
numerous attendants. The scene was really imposing 
and very picturesque, and from time to time was animated 
by sounds of wild music. We were presented while 
waiting, with two jars of palm wine, and three bottles 
of gin, after which two fresh sword-bearers appeared on 
the scene. 
One of these in full uniform was a wonderful figure. 
He carried the royal sword, in a sheath made of leopard's 
skins, while hung around him were the rest of his 
majesty's arms — his cartridge-box, knife, personal orna- 
ments for his neck, arms, and feet, and his cap, with a 
beautiful, fan-shaped tuft of eagle's feathers, each article 
glittering with gold. This official was to conduct us into 
the immediate presence of his sovereign, so we formed a 
procession. First walked a few of our people, then Mr. 
K. and M. Bonnat, my wife and I followed, and a few 
soldiers brought up the rear. We stepped along the semi- 
