The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-06-11
NUMBER l.

AN AuD1ENoE WITH THE KING OF BENIN
At the end of long half hour, door to the
right at the bottom of the room opened, ana
in crowded some thirty fellows of stalwart pro
portions and huge forms, entirely exposed 1t
was truly savage sight and novel, unknown
to anv of the courts of Yoruba. These men
are called the Kings cutlas boys, and they
wear no dress till their master delgns to
clash them a cloth. Every male infant IN the
kingdom is still presented to the King, and
| belongs to him of right; hence all the youths
in the land are called the Kings boys or slaves
The naked mob took its place on the right
hand of the throne, crowding into the corner,
and the man nearest the royal seat carried up
right in both hands a huge handleess falch-
ion of native make, fashioned like an exagger-
alton of the old Turkish scimitar. The rest
were wholly unarmedn nor did we see single
weapon either i'll the court or IN the CITY. The
cutlas BOYS were followed by halt-a dozen
.homograns," whose numbers gradually IN
creased to ten They ranged themselves IN
line along the raised step, perpendicular TO the
left of the throne. All were old men with sen
lie figures, Extensively thin or hideously pot.
| belGed. They were naked to the waist, AND
wore immense white muslin or tattetas pesh-
waz, or petticoats extending to the swell OF
| the lee, and pulled out to balloon shape by
kits acting as crinoline. Each had his ank-
lets and collar of coral, very quaint decora-
tion composed of pieces about one inch long,
and SO tightly strung that it forms stiff cir
Gle of about foot in diameter. Lastly came
the King supported by two men, who led Inn
to the wooden bench upon which mat hac
been placed, disposed his loincloth, and held
both arms. Ja1nbra, whose regal name is At
ole and whose title is Obba, or King is stout
Young man about thirty-ive years Of age
| His complexion is dark, but his aspect is un-
commonly intelligent, and the expression OF
his countenance is mild and good-humored.-
During this and the subsequent audience he
smiled graciouslv upon his visitors, and oul
immersion was that he was the best-looking
NEGRO we had ever seen. His dress was high
w becoming-coral bracelets adorned ms
wrists, and his payne, which loosely gathered
round the waist covered his naked feet, was
red silk with broad stripes Of yellow-the
DEVILS livery, we call it but it is far more
suited to the dark skin than are our dingy
browns and blacks. We stood ur
and Undated whilst a messenger babe us &c
forward and .male service" The consul ob-
iected to walking through the muddy and wa
fcrv inpluyium, and after some time obtain
ed partial cIearing-the vulgar, which was
excluded during Dr.. Henry's audience was
now permitted to remain-of the step running
along the left side of the room. As we ap-
preached the place where the naked cutlas
boys crowded, there were some 1nurmurs, signs
to stand back, and even to kneel The ofh-
GERS passed on to thestep infront of the throne.
Again the voices were heard. The consul,
however, placed himself in front of His Majes-
ty, and after low bow, introduced the com"
mander and his other companions. The King
acknowledged the compliment with nod and
a smile.-Frazei'S Magazine.