234 
RIGHT OF SUCCESSION. 
the sovereign is elected by a council of sixty elders, or 
chiefs of large villages. Preference is indeed generally 
given to the King’s son, but an adult is chosen, and 
great attention is paid to the qualifications of the candi- 
date. The King has the power of life and death only 
by consent of the Council. When the Ezzeh makes 
himself obnoxious to the elders, he is not deposed, but 
secretly poisoned by them ; and in the choice of a 
successor, in such a case, the humility of the candidate 
towards them is of great weight. “ If the King is 
humble towards the elders, they take great care of him.” 
Although much of this is at total variance with what 
Obi affirmed respecting his prerogative, the information 
given by Ukasa agreed with that obtained from Simon 
Jonas. 
It is probable, that in the case of the present monareh. 
Obi’s force of character, his superior judgment, as well 
as his mild and equitable administration of justice, may 
invest him with the additional influence of public 
opinion. All appear to look on him with great reve- 
rence, and it is expected that his eldest son will probably 
succeed him. 
His Majesty frequently declared this to be the case, 
and that his word would be law even after his death. 
He said emphatically, “ Are there two Kings to give law 
in your country ? here there is but one.” He certainly 
was corroborated in all this by his headmen, to whom 
he appealed, but, in his presence they could not do 
otherwise, even if they were disposed to let foreigners 
