Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-11-19
GROWING AN AFRICAN KING
King ArChlbOng Of Old Calibar--. An
Unique Ceremony.

A correspondent on the West Coast
gives description of the recent
crowning Of King Archibong of Old
Calabar The event had been looked
forward to for some time, and during
the week of the coronation the town
and district were en- fete. Both on
the river and in the villages there was
great display Of bunting, while guns
were fired almost necessarily. Mr..
David Hopkins, the English consul,
who had been at Old Calabar for some
little time, settling disputes between
traders and chiefs, was selected to pro-
claim Adam Archibong king. On the
morning Of the 9th ultimo, Consul
Hopkins was escorted to Duke Town,
with the chiefs and people of Hen
shaw Town as a guard of honor. The
procession formed a spectacle of un-
usual kind.
The men were attired in the gaudiest
eolored prints it was possible to col
lect, while an umbrella Of extraordi-
nary dimensions and cOlors was carried
above the head of the consul. The
cayalcade arrived at the enclosure ad-
Joining the palace, where throne had
been placed on ewly-eTected plat
form. The natives were here assem-
bled in thousands and were very en-
thusiastic Shortly afterwards the
procession of the king elect issued
from the palace, rudely constructed
building of wood, and wended its way
to the platform Like the other body,
many and various were the colors
worn by the men. 1t was headed by
a band of musicians, makinga great
uproar with the trumpet and tom
toms. Many military coats were con
spicuOus here, as in the consuls fol-
lowing.
In several instances big negroes wore
very small coats, which, not meeting
in front, were drawn tightly to the
figure with string. His majesty
King Archibong, was scarcely les,
comically dressed. His lOins wert
girt with a satin cloth of many colors
, while long SLEEVE hat covered hi
! head. This hat had evidently seel
much service, being almost shapeles
= with indentations. His feet, like
, those Of his attendants, were bare, aRC
t there was also a huge umbaella helc
. high above his head. Arehibong, VIII,
t is a man about sixty years old, is total
, ly blind, and leaned on the arm of hi
| son.
r lie assembled to the platform ami
0 the enthusiasm of the assembled crow
e who danced and shouted in the mos
D frantic manner; but as soon as Consu
e Hopkins received the king the tumuI
s ceased. The consul read the existin
e treaties between the former kings {
g old Calabarand Queen Victoria, whic
G were interpreted to the king by Nj
Campbell, an English missionary o
the coast, and to which Archibong as
sented. A new treaty was also draw
: up, the king agreeing thereto, whic
t makes it compulsory upon all hi
t European subjects to wear the Euro
!, pean style of dress. Treaty matter
IS having been arranged, the ceremOn
c of coronation was proceeded will
G The queen, with her retinue of femal
o attendants, arrived and took her plaC
n on the platform.
a Her majesty, very cOrpulent oil
g lady, was not permitted to take he
n seat by the side of her sable consOr
C Amid the continued silence of the n;
II tive throng, Consul Hopkins threw
n scarlet cloak around Archibong, put
f. crown on his head and sceptre in h
hand, and proclaimed him Kin
|. Archibong III. of Old Calabar.
Then the skrieks and hurrahs of th
d assembled thousands rent the air, til
/ men and women dancing and shoutir
+. in the widest glee. The crown AZ
" peared to be of gold, was very massiy
ie and was studded with Representative
v diamonds.
: During the ceremony the kir
|. seemed to be greatly agitated; and {
n one time was Scarcely ly able to hold IL
e scepter. Immediately after the corr
a nation salute of twenty-one gul
# was fred, and the king and his coul
If tiers adjourned to the palace, where
d banquet in the native fashion was pr,
: pared. The English residents wei
,e especially favored by the king, an
Al among those present at dinner wei
ii Consul Hopkins, the whole of tn
le English missionaries Of the distric
nj and the captain, chief engineer, do
ty tor aud purser of the mail steam,
nt Kinsembo. The principal dish col
at sisted of palm oil chop" which
n considered a great luxury by Il
me- natives.