5284 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

drum, and every word the latter said was received with applause. All was carried on in a manner that would not reflect disgrace on the most enhghtened senate. One person only presumed to speak at a time, and that in a low voice, and the person speaking never received any interruption before he announced his having finished, which, as well as all that each had said, was repeated in a loud and distinct voice by the respective bards, or griots of the chiefs.

I witnessed a sinailar assembly at Bondoo, but it was by no means conducted with similar regularity, or respect to good order. The assembly sat three hours, and was dismissed by the Tonca informing the chierfs that having heard all that was advanced on either side, it remained for those to whom thej proposal of acting in unison with the others fortheir country's good was made, to decide whether they would do so or abide the consequences, which he hinted might not be very pleasant, as the king of Kaarta had made known his determination,, '* God willing", to visit their country in the coujse of that year.

I was much astonished at the shrewd remarks, specious motives, and expressive language used by some of the chiefs present. Almaney Dramanet;, a man advanced in years, possessing considerable influence in the country, and, as he said, "' only answerable to God and