Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-23

able to converse with him. Initiated by mo INTO the
mysteries OF the civilization of wonderful Europe,
ne took great affection towards terrible dis
temper, OF which cured him (by means of water.
fegimen and bleeding, advanced me still further in
ms good graces. became his most intimate coun-
seor and hoped to become at last the legislator Of
tnese unknown regions. This idea pleased my ina
gnation and eXerted all my energies to destroy i'm
Denomay the atrocous and superstitious customs
"niGm inject that quarter of the African continent.
ne KING who was man of good sense and ex-
disposition. seemed To enter sometimes into my
Proects; but his belief in his fetches-that power Of
conservation which time gives to the most absurd
tn'hgs-opposed continual obstacles tn my phanthro-
pc views: Nevertheless, l trumphed every
uny' slaves were no longer sacrificed OH the tomb
OF their masters, with Iris favori,e wives; human vic-
inns were no longer offered up to shapcess gods Of
"oou or stone; punishments, proportional to- trans
Gressions, no longer crashed and COMPOUNDED toge-
tner CRIME and error; armies were recruited without
ueVourng all the active part of tho population; and
"sI,cutre, hitherto confined to feeble women, inca
paoc OF sustaining for long time such labors dc.
vowed upon the men who no lcnrer thought that
cutiVatns the earth, and forming providen. habits,
were unworthy Of them, when they saw abundance
ana comfort succeeding to misery and epnui.
AS these good effects speedily followed nv advice,
the kinS transferred to me the marks of gratitude
winch hs received from his people for these unexpec-
leu chahges' lie wished to associate me in his pow
err and tho proposal whom he made it 10 the elders
OF the nation was received with unanimous accluma-
uons' Nothing remained but TO proceed TO my in
staliation From tire immemoral, the cousecration
OF the kings OF Dahomay consists i'm marching them
oeIore the people and the army mounte ed upon n so
pero white elephant of the fetiches of the coun-
try, according to the movements of which the priests
progaosticatc the brancy and duration of the COM
inehcIng reign | give this warning to legislators.
..pusnt sho9id respect some ancient preludices
OF the country: | raised my new laws OH the foun-
oatons OF the old, and when I was on the point of
obtaining the object of all my cares and all my tolls
the old basis shook uudor mo ,nd .f,ounra AZ ,
cdfce.
IAN insondo, miserable insect about the size of
one OF our ants, but the most formidable enemy of
tne elephant, had insnuatcd itself into the prohos-
cn OF the animal on which was mounted in triunlph
iIrated by the singing of the insect, my elephant
nj first showed great impaticncc to the great asto
mshment OF the popuace but the pain he suffered
soon raised his fury to the highest pitch Utterinp
the most dreadful cries. aud rushnr forward in IN RE
nc dashed TO pieces his huge forehead on Il neigh-
pouring rock. | was saved; but another danrer of
no less magnitude, awaited me. The priests decla-
req me unworthy not only of the throne but of life;
the prosperity of the state had been COMPROMISED:
my innovations had raised against me the shade of
Irudo Andati, aud the mortal GODS OF Dahomay
nc KING vas attached to mc-he owed Inc his life;
bHt the death of his e,che had alarmed his superst
'lon. lie balanced for while, but gratitude finally
prevailed; and he committed my punishment 70 ex-
.e' aver ordering me very tolerabe bastinaoding,
10 quiet his conscience.
An insect which bred on the shoals in the midst
OF the Adriac exposed Venice, in the height of her
power To more danger than all the kings of Europe
eagucd against her; insect flung from throne
ana changed perhaps the destnies of entire CONT
ncnt.
II afterwards learnt that the people OF Duhamay
regretted me- they sent after me into the kingdom of
Judia-bnt had already left the consts of Guinea
Their emssaries thought they could fill nv place bv
any man of the same colour end proposed TO one OF
me Europeans, whom they met, to accompany them.
lie accepted IT. my services To DahoIny were turned
over TO him. lie was loaded with riches and horors.
nat man was bernard! fl was fond of re-
Vehgr, should have reioiccd at the accident which
placed my ungrateful subjects under the power of a
mere lntTguer, without any capacity.
81 have not much more to say | returned 10
France and turned author, 10 the hope OF finding in
literary abours that reposc and happiness after which
! had SO long sighed. l thought had only to write
for poserlty-but was soon disabnsed by nv con-
temporailcs. An interesting work which compo-
sed on the manners customs, and politics of the
barbarous kings of Africa, regarded by the cen
sors a satire against the sovereirns of Eutope.
Fhe work was Forbidden & the author was in 10 small
danger OF being sent to the Bcetre or the Bastlc
STILL however, painted after glory and not being able
! 10 DC great physician or great general, wished
AZ GIL events, TO have my name inscribed on the list
| OF the forty lrnmortals--and wrote traredv Nv
means oi much care md trouble had it performe d;
but a wit of the partcrrc damned it in the third
scene by Joke; very good Joke, 7 confess bur not
al all conclusive MS TO the merits of the piece. In
| the mean time, Bernard having returned to Paris
modcstIy enjoyed there the high reputation of war
ror a iawgiver, and philosophical traveller. Think
ing TO repair as ngch as possible, my theatrical fail
urc, dndcnvoured to bring together some people OF
fashion, and many of the literati, to hear nv play
read An ofera dancer, who was protected by Ber-
nard gave, on the same day, n grand sotpey; all the
liternti were engaged to it; and had no other audi
tors but some young handles, and some old rakcs OF
The Regency, who listened to with affected grim
noes, yawnlng, dosing, and ratified the decree of
the public by pronorncing unanimously MY play de-
tcsta6le ] was not discouraged: and an epic poem
was the fruit of this poetica resignation. No book
seller would print III my reputation had preceded me,
and on going ont Of one oltheir shops learned that
Bernard had been just named member ofthe Acad-
emy-for admission into which illus'rious body he
offered no other title than that of having COMPOSED
quatraln in honour Of that high and handsome lady,
whom Maria Theresa had called her friend and rood
cousin Madame dc Pompadour.)
"Aftel having exercised all cmployments, with
some talent and much honesty "ceorf Z" tiiN
inf rig,n r,edocritv has 'he best chance of SUCCESS
@,i"aaWF UiSs has gathered the fruit of all INV
taIents-al my tolls in the four quarters of the olobe
| was growing Old and felt the necessity cf sccu-
ring my future prOgpcCfg. Unc bo,yor.. 81