RESIDENCE AT KATUN G A. 
41 
The atmosphere here is so dry, that most of the instruments 
are breaking and splitting. My only hygrometer was broken at 
Badagry. The late I)r. Morrison's barometers were fitted with 
ivory screws at the bottom of the tube ; they are all split, and ren- 
dered useless by the heat : the plain tubes are the best ; those with 
ivory or wooden scales contract, and break the glass. The micro- 
scope is all in pieces, as also several other instruments. 
In the evening we had a visit from the king, to thank me for the 
presents I had given him, and again to assure me of being welcome ; 
said that he wanted nothing, unless it was something that would 
speedily cause the submission of the rebels. He said that he had 
sent to his friend the king of Benin for troops to assist him in the 
war. He added that the customary fetes or amusements would 
begin in about two months, and he would be very glad if I would 
stay and see them ; that he dressed now as a common man, but 
after that, I should see him robed as a king. I told him I must go 
on early, to get to Bornou before the rains. Mr. Iloutson took this 
opportunity of observing to him that he had been at the customs 
in Dahomey, and inquired if the king of Yourriba put to death such 
a number of people at his customs as at those of Dahomey. Pie 
shook his head, shrugged up his shoulders, and exclaimed “Ho, no — 
no king of Yourriba could sacrifice human beings; and that if he 
so commanded, the king of Dahomey must also desist from that 
practice ; that he must obey him.” 
Thursday, 26th. — This morning we had a sheep from the king, 
and a hog and some plantains from one of his sons. In the evening 
I set off five rockets, which astonished all and frightened away many. 
The king was sitting under his verandah, and we waited on him to 
inquire how he liked the rockets ; he was quite delighted, and said 
they should be kept for war. 
P riday, 27th. — Employed in reducing the packages, and writing. 
G 
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