180 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
endeavoured in vain to trace the origin or cause of 
formation of this extraordinary association, and have 
reason to suppose that it is now unknown to the gene¬ 
rality of the Timmannees, and may possibly be even so 
to the Purrah themselves, in a country where no tradi¬ 
tionary records are extant, either in writing or in song.” 
So far as Laing could ascertain, Timmannee is divided 
into three districts. The chief of each arrogates to him- 
self the title of king 0 The soil is fairly productive, and 
rice, yams, guavas, earth-nuts, and bananas might be 
grown in plenty, but for the lazy, vicious, and avaricious 
character of the inhabitants, who vie with each other in 
roguery. 
Timms have not changed since his time. The negroes 
are just as fond of intoxicating drinks, and their petty 
kings still go about wearing on grand occasions hats the 
shape of an accordion, and blue coats with copper 
buttons, with no shirts underneath. The maternal senti¬ 
ment did not seem to Laing to be very fully developed 
amongst the people of Timmannee, for he was twice 
roundly abused by women for refusing to buy their 
children of them. A few days later there was a great 
tumult raised against Laing, the white man who had 
inflicted a fatal blow on the prosperity of the country 
by checking its trade. The first town entered in 
Ivouranko was Maboum, and it is interesting to note 
en passant what Laing says of the activity of the 
inhabitants. 
“ I entered the town about sunset, and received a first 
impression highly favourable to its inhabitants, who 
were returning from their respective labours of the day, 
every individual bearing about him proofs of his indus¬ 
trious occupation. Some had been engaged in pre¬ 
paring the fields for the crops, which the approaching 
rains were to mature ; others were penning up cattle, 
whose sleek sides and good condition denoted the 
richness of their pasturages; the last clink of the 
blacksmith’s hammer was sounding, the weaver was 
measuring the quantity of cloth he had woven during 
the day, and the gaurange, or worker in leather, was 
