Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-05-08
AN AFRICAN REVIEW.

The King took his seat under canopy
of umbrellas, and placed us on his right
about the royal person were the ministers
and high military officers; at the foot of the
throne sat the too-noo-noo, aud now IN the
distance, ready al call, appeared the mae
ha-pah, a soldier too. Al suou as the king
was seated, the troops, male and female,
marched past, IN quick time II banGers
and 100 huge umbrellas enlivened the scene
while 80 descendant bands, aud the shouts
of soldiers as they hailed the king en- pas
SAINT, almost dealened the observers. The
royal male regiment, separating from the
main body, headed by an emblem of leo
pard on a staff sklrmished towards the roy
al canopy. keeping mp constant independ-
ent fire. La advance was a band of blum
derbuss men ia long green grass cioaks, for
bush service. Hating IN front, theY held
aloit their muskcts in one hand, while with
the other they ratified a small metal bell,
which each soldier carried, aud yelled and
shouted. Some having lighted ornamental
pieces llung them IN the arr to catch them
again. This is the Dahoman salute aud
IA answer to it, his majesty left his war
stool. aud placing himself at their head,
danced war-dance. First he received
musket and fred II; then danced advanced
aud retired he then crept cautiously for
ward, and standing on tiptoe, reconnoltred.
This he did several times dancing each
time a retreat at last making certain Of
the position of the enemy, he received aud
iircd a musket; and thls was the signal for
all, with war-cry to rush on and recon-
mence liriug On their recall, having a.
gain slluted, the king returned to his tent,
and told Us he had been to war. Alter
much firing, the amazons took position to
the left, and having formed canopy in the
centre Tor their officers, who sat on stools,
squatted on their hams la this uudigHif-
ed but usual position, with their long Dan
ish muskets standing up like a forest, they
remained observers of the remainder of the
operation. TINS now became a sort Of mill
itary leyee, at which the chief Frustrated
before the King, introduced his officers, and
reported the numbers of his retalners.-
Having taken ground at the farther end Of
the field, one al a time, the squadrons emf
!aded between two fetish houses, aud COM
menced an independent open fire, and de-
ploylng INTO line, passed to the right of the
royal stool, while the officers came up At
double quick time, Frustrated themselves,
danced. nred wuskets, and then received
each as a mark OF favor bottle of rum
After the caboocers had thus passed, the
ministers performed the same ceremony,
among them as Senior lgnatio Da SOuza,
the slave dealer aud cabooceer, at the head
of his brother the chacha's ievIes. AS they
danced down toward the royal seat the king
left his throne and went out aud danced
Slth han. a regiment advanced, guarding
the idols Of the military iestlshes; The king
again left LIS STOOL and poured some rum
on black buildings Of human blood, which
were carried by the fetish priests. AT sew
en- the last body had passed, that of the
Mayo's company ot 300 men, which ended
The review Order aud discipline we're OBJ
servable throughout, uniform aud good ac-
coutrenents general and except ia tue
most civilized countries IN the world, aud
even there as regarded the order OF the null
utude, no review cOulo have gone oil bet
ter. There was no delay, no awkwardness
no accident, -dids-de-camp rushing about
with order; ii was noble aud extremely IN
ieresllng. Every facility was offered us TO-
ward acquiring Information, and, except an
exaggerallon ~ numbers, truly gwen
!. The KING has great pride IN his army, anC
oilen turned to Us with an InquirIng eye a:
the amazons went through their eyolutIons
he is justly proud of these female guards
who appear ia every way to rival the male
DahOmcy and the Dah0mGHS.