PALAVEK-HOUSE. 
227 
palaver-house, where he assured us we should find his 
august father. On our arrival, however, we ascer- 
tained that his sable Majesty was washing himself; 
patience was therefore to be practised, and we knew 
from past experience that not a small portion would 
be in requisition. 
The palaver-house — which the royal ablutions 
afforded ample time to examine — was destitute of any 
object of interest to beguile the time, being simply a 
protection from the sun and rain. However it attained 
the object in one sense, since it induced that negative 
state of enjoyment, — only appreciated in a hot climate, 
— the luxury of reposing in a cool shade and, — doing 
nothing. 
After a great deal of equivocation and loss of time 
we were informed that the chief was on the opposite 
side, at his house; which was distinguished by its 
commanding position, size, European form, and the 
splendour of whitewash, from the numerous huts scat- 
tered en amphithiatre along the beautiful shores of the 
strait, and up the slopes of the lower hills of the 
eastern base of the Cameroons Mountain. They were, 
however, grouped into distinct villages. We imme- 
diately crossed over to the landing-place, and walked 
up a rising ground, between neat huts surrounded 
with gardens, to the chiefs residence, — a very good- 
looking wooden house. The principal floor is raised 
from the ground, and is surrounded by a verandah ; it 
contains some good rooms. Around the grand salon 
Q 2 
