ceeded on my way to Fessu. Our way lay through a dense forest, abounding in lofty silk-cotton and other trees, and many handsome varieties of fern. Many small rivulets nearly dried up by the long drought, remind me that I am in a torrid clime. At five P. M. I reached Fessu.

Tuesday, 5th.-At seven A. M. I left Fessu, and reached my next restingplace, Berracoe, at five P. M. Fessu and Berracoe are both small crooms, or villages, belonging to Mansue.

Wednesday, 6th.-At a quarter past six A. M. I started from Berracoe for the River Prah, which I reached nine minutes before nine A. M. The river, the largest I have yet seen in Africa, with its thickly-wooded banks, abounding in palm-trees and mimosæ, presented a beautifully-picturesque and interesting scene. When the river is at its greatest height, its depth may be about thirty or forty feet, and its breadth about ninety yards. Near the crossing-place, its bed is very rocky. As it was very low, I could see many large pieces of granite above the surface of the water. The river Prah forms the boundary between the Fantec country and the dominions of the King of Ashantee. On the Fantee side of the river is a small town, called Prah800. Here I halted until the following morning, that my people might have an opportunity of refreshing themselves by bathing, &c.

In the course of the day my interpreter had the misfortune to cut his foot with an oyster-shell, while bathing in the river, which made him almost incapable of walking for two or three days; I was, therefore, obliged to ease him by walking more than usual myself, that he might ride in my little travelling-chair. I was soon, however, obliged to hire four extra men to carry him in a basket which I had taken the precaution to take with me, besides my chair, as my heels became so sore with boils, occasioned by the intensity of the heat, that I was little able to walk myself. The road also was exceedingly bad, being in many places not more than nine inches wide, and that full of holes, and roots of trees rising above the ground.

The whole of the Fantee country through which I passed, from within a mile or two of Cape-Coast Castle up to the river Prah, a distance of about eightyfive miles, is covered with luxuriant vegetation, consisting of plantains, bananas, palms, bamboos, pines, many large forest trees, covered with climbers, epiphitical * Boosemprah of Bowdich.

orchidee, and ferns. Among the shrubs and herbaceous plants, I noticed a very pretty variety of croton; also lan'ana odorata and a species of gardenia hedychium, or garland-flower, canna Indica, and a handsome blue variety of maranta, the leaves of which were, on the upper side, of a pale green colour, and underneath of a bright purple. My ears were also charmed with the notes of some of the feathered songsters of the forest; and my attention arrested by the well-known sound of the woodman's hook and axe, while clearing small tracts of ground in the forest for cultivating yams, &c.

Thursday, 7th.-At seven A. M. I crossed the Prah in a large, heavy canoe, and journeyed through a country formerly inhabited by the Assins, a people who were incorporated with Ashantee until the late war between the Ashantees and the British, when they threw off their allegiance, and took refuge in Fantee, under the protection of the British. In the evening I reached Anso, a small croom, where I halted for the night.

Throughout the day the Harmattan was very strong, affecting my eyes very much; and producing a sensation like what is felt with a violent cold in the head.

During the night I slept in a small hut; and, having nothing but thin strips of bamboo tied close together, to supply the place of walls, I felt the cold damps severely, although I lined this frail dwelling with a blanket and sheet. I was also mortified in the morning, to find that a rat had eaten some of my hammock-strings, which almost rendered it unfit for use.

Friday, 8th. At seven A. M. I started for Quissah, the first town of any importance on the Ashantee side of the Prah, where I arrived at five P. M. Immediately before entering Quissah, I passed over a hill of considerable height, the ascent of which occupied seventeen minutes. This hill is, I think, the highest of a long chain of hills which form the boundary between Ashantee proper, and the Assin country. Were it not for the thick bush which covers the summit of this hill, a very extensive prospect of

The general remark, that the notes of the birds of tropical climes are not harmonious, is not applicable to this part of the world; many of them sing melodiously.

part of the Ashantee and Assin countries might be obtained. Its soil is very rich, consisting of a mixture of yellow loam and clay. A spring of the most delicious water I ever tasted, rises about half-way up the hill, as far as I could judge; and after tumbling down its rocky bed of granite, bubbles by the small town of Quissah. The Assin country, though possessing a very rich and fertile soil, covered with luxuriant vegeta. tion, presents one unbroken scene of desolation, except here and there a few huts occupied by Ashantees, whom the King sends to take care of the path.

[If you compare this brief account of Fantee and Assin with that given by Bowdich, (pages 23, 24,) you will perceive, that the Fantee country is rapidly improving under the fostering care of the

local Government of Cape-Coast; while the Assin country, abandoned by its rightful owners, is in ruins.]

PREACHING

TO CORINTCHIE, THE CHIEF OF FOMUNNAH.

I HAD not been in Quissah more than an hour, when I was informed by the Chief, that I could proceed no farther into the Ashantee country, without obtaining permission from the Chief of A dansie, who resides at Fomunnah, a neat little town, about a mile distant from Quissah. Being provided with a lodging-place, I therefore halted here for the night. I was delighted to find in Quissah several Fantees, members of our society, who had come hither for trading purposes.

Saturday, 9th.-This morning, the Chief informed me that Corintchie, the Chief of Fomunnah, had sent over for him, in order to converse with him respecting me; and shortly afterwards a messenger arrived from Corintchie, requesting me to go over and visit him, which I immediately prepared to do. When I entered the town, Corintchie was sitting before the front of his house, under his large umbrella, waiting to receive me; his Captains and people occupying the ground on his right and left. After the usual compliments on meeting, he asked me what

object I had in view in wishing to pass up to Coomassie. I told him I had nothing to do with trade or palavers, but was come into the country to promote the best interests of the King of Ashantee and his people, by directing them in the way of peace and happiness through the preaching of the Gospel. He then said he should like to hear the Gospel in his town, before I proceeded any farther into the country. I hereupon proceeded to speak to him and all present on the Being of a God. I commenced by taking into my hand a leaf which had fallen from a

banyan-tree, under which I was standing, and asking them if they could make one like it; and they answered, Debida, "No." I then asked them if they thought it possible for all the wisdom, power, and genius in the world, united, to make such

leaf; they answered again, Debida. Having brought them to this conclusion, I directed their attention to the almighty power, mercy, and truth of "God, who made the world and all things therein;' and spoke to them on the nature of the Christian religion. They readily gave their assent to all I said; and Corintchie requested me to pay them a visit on the morrow, that they might hear more from me concerning the Christian religion. On my remarking, that as I was a Minister of the Gospel, I could not prudently make them presents according to the usual custom, it being beneath the dignity of Christianity, which is so truly excellent in itself, that it requires no recommendation except a conviction of its value; he answered, "We do not desire any of the customary presents from you, but wish rather to become acquainted with Christianity." I then asked him when I could proceed to Coomassie; to which he answered that I should know more about it on the morrow.

Sunday, 10th. At three P. M. I again went over to Fomunnah to preach the word of life, followed by the Chief of Quissah. I took my station in the same place in which I stood on the preceding day. Corintchie and his people soon made their appearance, and I commenced divine service by giving out some verses of the hymn,

"Plunged in a gulf of dark despair," &c. I had a goodly number of our people with me, who assisted in singing the praises of God. After a short prayer in Fantee by my interpreter, we sung the first verse of the hymn,

"Lord over all, if thou hast made,

Hast ransom'd, every soul of man; " after which I preached from Mark xvi. 15, when I explained more fully the nature of the Gospel; and gave them many arguments which prove the Divine origin of the Bible. Solemnity sat on their faces, and the deepest attention was paid to the grand and awful truths which were laid before them: every minute almost did they utter a hearty Eou, "Yes," by way of giving their assent. At the conclusion of the sermon, Corintchie and his Capteins said it was a "good palaver." On my telling them that I had not laid before them a thousandth part of the sublime truths contained in the Bible, they

said they should like to hear more of them; and especially what Yancumpon, " God," liked, and what he disliked; and seemed much pleased when I told them I should be happy to preach to them again whenever they pleased.

Knowing their jealous disposition, I thought it prudent to make them as sensible as I possibly could of the disinterested character of my Mission. I therefore told them, that it was my love to God, and the souls of my fellow creatures, which caused me to leave my happy native land behind me, and come among them; and that this love was the fruit of my having embraced Christianity, as I was once as ignorant of practical religion as they were, and did not feel the desire to benefit my fellow-men until I had repented of my own sins, and turned to God. On hearing this, they were struck with astonishment, and said that the religion which I thus recommended to them from practical experience, was good. There were about five hundred persons present.

DETENTION AT QUISSAH: REMOVAL TO FOMUNNAH.

Ι

Monday, 11th.-I am still detained at King of Ashantee to the information sent Quissah, waiting for an answer from the him the other day concerning me. find this delay to be a heavy trial, as I am anxious to return to our societies on however, that it is the Lord's doing, and the coast as early as possible. I trust, will be productive of future good.

Tuesday, 12th.-The Harmattan is very strong, and the air so cold, that the thermometer has been down as low as 66° (Fahrenheit) at eight o'clock in the morning, for several days past. This I find very trying to my constitution; my lodging-place being a small hut or open shed, with a thatch of palm-leaves, so thin, that I can see through it in many places. I am continually taking cold, but I trust that I shall still be preserved for usefulness in this dangerous climate. I often see many of my people shivering with cold at six o'clock in the morning, much more than I have done in England on a cold morning in January. To-day, Corintchie again sent for me; and shortly after my arrival at his residence, a messenger arrived from Coomassie with the King's compliments; also a present of nine ackies of gold-dust, £2. 58. currency, and a promise from the King that he would send for me in a few days, during which time the messenger is to stay with me. Corintchie having made me the

offer of waiting the King's pleasure at Fomunnah, instead of Quissah, I readily embraced it, as Fomunnah is much larger, more open and healthy, than Quissah. I consequently removed to Fomunnah in the evening.

Wednesday, 13th.-Since my arrival in Ashantee, the Fetishimen seem to have taken the alarm. A day or two back, the Quissah Fetishman said, that the town was in danger of being destroyed by fire, and that they must make Fetish to ward off the danger. On my way to Fomunnah on Sunday last, I saw the path literally strewed with offerings to Fetish; consisting of boiled eggs, beads, plantains, &c. This is the work of those wretched Fetishmen, whose employment is to impose on the weakness of the poor deluded people.

Thursday, 14th. At eight A. M. Corintchie sent to my lodgings, requesting me to pay him a visit. I immediately repaired to his house, where I found him seated with his Captains, ready to receive me. He informed me that they were waiting to hear me

explain some of the truths of Christianity.

Knowing the injurious effects of talking much in this climate with an empty stomach, I asked Corintchie to excuse me for a few minutes while I stepped home to take my breakfast, which I was about to do at the moment he sent for me. After hastily taking breakfast, I again repaired to Corintchie's house, and conversed with him and his Captains on the doctrine of the General Resurrection; on which subject their minds seemed very much confused. By divine assistance I succeeded in convincing them of the possibility of such an event; after which I directed their attention to the doctrine of future rewards and punishments.

Friday, 15th.-About eight A. M. Corintchie sent to make every inquiry respecting my Mission, as he was about to send another messenger to the King; upon which I furnished him with all necessary information, and handed to him my letter of recommendation from President Maclean to the King, with which he despatched the messenger in the course of the day.

nut, eggs, &c., which I saw preparing near me for an offering to Fetish. Upon my questioning them on the matter, they seemed confident that it was just and right for them to do so; but when I pointed out to them the folly of these heathenish observances, &c., they seemed convinced of it, and said their Fetishmen told them nonsense, and deceived them.

Sunday, 17th.-Blessed be God, through whose good providence I was born in a Christian country.

"Thine's the Sabbath peace, my land;

And thine the guarded hearth." How amazing the difference between England and Ashantee! Here no village bell, sweetly sounding "across the daisied mead," invites the humble Christian to the sanctuary of God. Here (it may be presumed) no hymn of praise ascends from the natives of this country to their Creator; no house of prayer is seen standing with its doors wide open, inviting man to share in its sacred immunities. May the happy day soon arrive, when even over this sanguinary country, the olive wand of sacred peace shall be triumphantly extended!

In the afternoon I sent to inform Corintchie that we were about to commence the worship of God at my lodgings; and that I should be glad if he would join us. He immediately came, attended by his Captains, &c. God was present with us, by the gracious influence of his Holy Spirit on our hearts; and the minds of many present seemed deeply impressed with the solemnity of the

service.

Monday, 18th. In the evening, one of Corintchie's Captains made me a present of a pot of palm-wine.

HUMAN SACRIFICES IN FOMUNNAH: SUPERSTITIOUS OBSERVANCES,

Tuesday, 19th.-Last night a sister of Corintchie died, after a long sickness. Her death was announced by the firing of muskets, and the "mourners going about the streets." When an Ashantee of any distinction dies, several of the deceased's slaves are sacrificed. This horrible custom originates in some shadowy ideas of a future state of existence; in which they imagine that those who have departed hence stand in need of material food, clothing, &c., the same as in the present world; and that, as a vast number of concubines, slaves, &c., are the chief marks of superiority anong

them here, so it must also be in a future state. Accordingly, as I walked out early in the morning, I saw the mangled corpse of a poor female slave, who had been beheaded during the night, lying in the public street. It was partially covered with a common mat, (made from the stem of the plantain-tree,) and, as this covering is unusual, I concluded that it was thrown over it merely in order to hide it from my view. In the course of the day I saw groups of the natives dancing round this victim of superstitious cruelty, with all manner of frantic gestures, appearing to be in the very zenith of their happiness. In the evening I was informed, that as Corintchie and his Captains did not wish me to see more headless trunks lying in the streets, they had not sacrificed any other persons during the day, but would most probably do so during the night. I am happy to say, however, that I could not ascertain that any more sacrifices were made. That only one person was sacrificed, I believe, resulted entirely from my presence in the town.

In the afternoon I received a present of palm-wine, plantains, yams, and pineapples, from one of the King of Ashantee's sisters, who is paying a visit in a distant croom, her place of general residence being Coomassie. Throughout the day, I saw females fantastically dressed, with their faces and shoulders daubed over with red ochre, parading the town as mourners for the deceased.

Friday, 22d.-My interpreter informed me that, as he was going from Fomunnah to Quissah, he saw the mangled trunk of the poor sacrificed female slave lying in a ditch, a few hundred yards from the town; and that at the time she was sacrificed, she was in the prime of her days. Thus exposed to public view, in a ditch near the common road, the corpse, deprived of its head, must lie and putrefy, unless the turkey-buzzards, or some beast of prey, devour it.

O thou God of Missions, who willest not that any should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth, have mercy upon these benighted people! May thine everlasting Gospel speedily spread itself through the length and breadth of the land, and chase the demon from these his dark abodes of cruelty!

Saturday, 23d.-Early in the morning, the Fetish tune was played through the town, to collect the people together for the finishing of the "Custom" for Corint. chie's sister. In the afternoon nearly all