IGNORANCE OF LEARNED MEN. 
315 
to be concluded, having been again explained to the 
Attkh. 
The Treaties were then read over, and signed, in 
triplicate, by the Commissioners, and by Lobo, the 
chief judge, on the part of the Atthh, it being contrary 
to custom for the latter to write. 
The signatures to the Treaty were witnessed and 
attested by Hakah, the second judge, and Gibberin, 
a ‘ Mallam,’ and several officers of the ‘ Albert.’ Not 
one of the Atthh’s people could write his own name ; so 
the usual cross-mark was substituted. The etiquette of 
the country, probably, saved the Attkh also from an 
exposure of his ignorance. 
The Mallams are the most enlightened persons, but 
few even of them can write, and although they pretend to 
read some scraps of the Koran from Arabic manuscripts, 
these have generally been acquired by rote. An Arabic 
Bible, which had been presented to the Att5,h, was 
handed to the head Mallam, who, in virtue of his office, 
was supposed to be learned. He accordingly looked 
through it with becoming gravity, but unfortunately for 
his credit, with us at least, he held it upside down. 
The following presents were then laid before the 
Attah ; — 
One double-barrelled gun. 
One pair of ornamented pistols. 
One gilt sabre. 
One case with scissors, razor and knife. 
