Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-10-18
Wedding nn Africnn Princess.

ly settles down as slave dealer at the month of
the Rio Pongo, on the coast of Africa, where he
soon began TO be regarded by the natives OF his
immediate neighborhood with more than ordinary
favor The following is graphic account of the
manner in which he managed the offer of high
born ebony wife,
had now grown to such sudden importance "a
mong the natives, that the neighboring chiefs and
kings sent me daily messages of friendship, with
trifing gifts that readily accepted. One of these
bordering lords, more generous than the rest, hint
ed several times his anxiety for coser connection
in affection as well as trade and at length, in
sisted on becoming my father in-law.
had always heard in Italy that it was some
thing to receive the hand of princess, even after
long and tedious wooing but now that was sur
rounded by mob of kings, who absolutely thrust
their daughters on me, | confess | had the bad
taste not to leap with joy at the royal Offering
Still, was in difficult POSITION, as graver of
fence can be given chief than to reject his child
1t is so seriousan insult tfense awife, that high
born natives, in order to avoid quarres or war, ac
cept the tender boon, and as soon as etiquette per-
mlts, pass it over to friend or relation. As the
offer was made to me personally by the king, l
found the utmost difficulty in escaping. Indeed,
he would receive no excuse. When l decllhed
on account of the damsel's youth, he laughed IN
credulously. IfI urged the feebleness OF my
health and tardy convalescence, ne insisted ina!
regular life of matrimony was the best cordiai ioi
an impaired constitution. In fact, the paternaI
solicitude OF his majesty for my doubloons was So
urgent that | was on the point of yielding myself
patient sacrifice, when Joseph my partner came
to my relief with the offer of his hand as subsi-
| tute.
| The Gordan knot was cut. Prince Yungee IN
reality did not care so much who should be his
son-in- law, so that he obtained one with a white
skin and plentiful purse. Joseph or Theodore,
Saxon or Italian made no difference to the chief ;
and, as is the case in all Oriental lands, the o.
pinion of the lady was of no importance whatever.
cannot say that my partner viewed this mat
riInonial project with the disgust that did Per
haps he was man of more liberal philosophy and
wider views of human brotherhood; at any rate,
his residence in Africa gave him taste not only
for its people, habits, and superstitons but he up
held practical malgamation with more fervor and
honesty than regular abolitonist. Joseph was
possessed by Africo-mana He admired the wo-
men, the men, the language, the cookery, the
music. He would fall into philharmonic ecstacies
over the discord of bamboo tom tom. | have
reason to belieyethat even African barbarities had
charms for the odd Englishman; but he was
chiefly won by the dolce far nicnte of the nauves,
and the Oriental license Of polygamy. In a word,
joseph had the same taste for full-blooded cIf-
ifee, that an epicure has for the ham govt OF a
stale partridge, and was in ecstacies at my eXtrl-
cation He neglected his Siestas and his accounts
he wandered from house to house with the rap
ture of animpatient bridegroom; and, till every
thing was ready for the nuptial rites, no one al
the factory had a moments rest.
AS the BRIDES relations were eminent folks on
the upper part of the river, they insisted that the
marriage ceremony should be performed with all
the honorable formailies due 10 the lady's rank
Esther, who acted as my mentor in every "coun
try question" suggested that it would be contra
ry to the Engshman's nterea}tc ally himself
with a family whose only motise was sordid.--
She strongly urged that if he persisted in taking
the girl, he should do so withouf "colungee,'
or ceremonial feast. But Joseph was obstinate as
a bull and as he doubted whetEsr he would ever
commit matrmony again, he insisted that the
nuptals should be celebrated with all the fashion,
able spendor of highlife in Africa.
When this was decided, it became necessary.
by fiction of etiquette, to ignore the previous Of
fer of the bride, and to begin anew, as if the dam
sci were to be sought in the most delicate way by
desponding lover She must lie demanded for
mally, by the bridegroom from her reluctant mo-
ther and accordingly, the most respectable matron
in our colony was chosen by Joseph from his col
ored acquaintances to be the bearer of his valen-
tine In the present instance, the selected Cupid
was the principal wife of our native landlord, ALI
Ninpha; and, rs Africans as well as Turks love
by the pound, the dame happened to be one OF the
faitest, as well most respectable, IN our parish
Several female attaches were added TO the suite OF
the ambassadress, who forthwith departed to make
proper ''dantica." The gifts selected were OF
four kinds. First of all, two demijohns of trade
rum were filled gladden. the community of Mum
Yungee's Town. Next, piece of blue cotton
cloth, musket, keg of powder, and demjohn
of pure rum, was packed for papa Thirdly, a
youthful virgin dressed In a white ''tontongee, -"
piece of white cotton cloth, white basin, a
white sheep, and basket of white rice, were put
up for mamma, in token of her daughters purity.
And lastly, a German looking glass, several bunch
es of beads, a coral necklace, a dozen of turkey
red handkerchefs, and spotless white country
cloth were presented to the bride; together with
decanter of white palm oil for the anolntment OF
her ebony limbs after the bath, which IS never
neglected by African bellies.
While the missionary of love was absent, our
signing swain devoted his energies to the erection
of bridal palace; and the task required just as
many days as were employed in the creation OF
the world. The building was finished by the aid
of bamboos, straw, and mOdicum OF mud; and,
as Joseph imagined that love and coolneSs were
secured in such climate by utter darkness, ne
provided an abundance of that commodity by omit
TING windows entirely. The furnishing of the
doncil was completed with all the luxury of ma
tive taste An elastic four-poster was construct
ed of bamboos; some dashng crockery was set "a
bout the apartment for display cotton quilt was
cast over the matted couch an old trunk served
for bureau and wardrobe; and. as negresses adore
looking glasses, the largest in our warehouse was
nailed against the door, as the only illuminated
part of the edifice.
At last all was complete, and Joseph snapped
his fingers with delight when the corpulent dame
wadded up automatically, and announced with a
wheeze that her mission was prosperous. Ii there
had ever been doubt there was now no more. The
oracular "feitich' had announced that the delive
ry of the bride to her lord might take place ''on
the tenth day of the new moon"
As the planet waxed from Its slender sickle 10
the thicker quarter, the impatIence OF my Cock
new waxed with it; but, at length. the firing Of
muskets, the twang of horns, and the rattle Of
tom toms. gave notice from the river that Coon
ba, the bride, was approaching thequay. Joseph
and myself hastily donned our clean shirts, white
trousers, and glistening pumps; and, under the
shade of broad son,breros and umbrellas, proceeded
to greet the damsel. Our fat friend, the matron
All Ninpha, her husband; our servants, and a
troop of village ragamufns, accompanied us to the
waters brink. so that we were just in time to re-
ceive the five large canoes bearing the escort Of
the king aud his daughter. Boat after boat dis
gorged its passengers; but, to our dismay, they
ranged themselves apart, and were evidently dis
pleased. When the last canoe. decorated with
ilags. containing the bridal party. approached the
strand the chief of the escort slgnalled it to stop,
and forbade the landing.
In moment there was general row-a row,
conceivable only by residents of Africa, or those
whose ears have been regaled with the chattering
c - ..,,;ldarness of monkeys" Our lusty factO-