IN COOMASSIE WITH FRINGE ANSA. 109 
ietters. Two were from the administrator, who begged 
Tis to have compassion on M. Bonnat, and alluded to the 
Franco-German war, more particulars of which we learned 
from the accompanying papers. The excitement of the 
day was too much for me, and violent fever supervened. 
Presents had nov?r to be made ; first to the king's 
chamberlain who had opened the chests, next to our 
former people, who complained that we had not taken 
them with us to the king; and lastly to the bearers. 
We closed the year with a social tea and a midnight ser- 
vice ; we conversed and prayed most earnestly that we 
might celebrate the close of the coming year with our 
friends, and we did not forget to supplicate peace for poor 
France. 
On New Year's day, 1871, came a present of yams, and 
four dollars, with which some friends had kindly planned 
to surprise us, but nothing more was said of the prince's 
departure, so the king lost his wager. We were not much 
concerned at the delay, for though we knew he would do 
his best for us at the Coast, we could scarcely imagine 
how we should get on in Coomassie without him. Not 
only did our former people cling to us like limpets, but 
they were commissioned by Bosommuru, to keep the 
Ashantees from annoying us, so that all €>ur efforts were 
vain to resist their officious interference. 
On the return of the king from his villa, January 5th, 
1871, we welcomed him at the usual place of reception, 
and then saw, among other wonderful things, his Fetish, 
which he worships every Tuesday. It consists merely of 
a small box covered with gold and silver, round which 
the Kitebund dance. After his majesty had received 
our salutations, he retired into the palace, whence he 
would not come forth until the little Adae on the 12th of 
the month. 
A tremendous blowing of horns on th@ night of the 6th 
