42 HOUSA.

be not approved, they are not bound to elect him ; he has, however, the preference, and after him the other sons ; but the choice of the council must be unanimous, and if no person of the royal line be the object of their choice, they may elect one of their own body. The members of the council are appointed by the king ; he chooses them for their wisdom and integrity, without being limited to rank : the person appointed cannot refuse obedience to the royal mandate. The council consists of many hundreds. The governor who controls the police lives in the centre of the town.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE Is very similar to that of Timbuctoo, except that the king is perfectly despotic ; and though he consults his council, he decides as he thinks proper. The governor administers justice in small affairs ; but, in important cases, he refers the parties to the king and council, of which he is himself a member. No torture is ever inflicted. The governor employs a great number of officers of police at a distance from the town.

If robberies are committed, the person robbed must apply to the chief of the district, who must find or take into custody the offender, or becomes himself liable to make compensation for the injury sustained.

This is also the law in West Barbary. When a robbery is committed, the district where it has been committed is