Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-12-13

INVESTING OLD KING ARcHIBoNG WITH THE IN
SIGMA or ROYALTY.
A correspondent of the L,ad5n Standard
gives the following account of the corona
ton of King Archibong, of Old Calabar, on
the west coast of Africa
Both on the river and in the village there
was a 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 proclaim Adam Archlbong King.
On the morning of the 9th nit, Consul Hop
kins was escorted TO Duke Town. with the
chiefs and people of Henshaw Town as a
guard OF honor. The procession formed a
spectacle of an unusual kind. The men were
attired in the gaudiest-colored prints it was
possible to collect, while an umbrella OF ex-
traordinary dimensions and colors was car
ried above the head OF the Consul The
cavalcade arrived at the inclosure adjoining
the palace, whore throne had been placed
on a newly-erected platform. The natives
were here assembled in thousands and were
very enthusiastic. Shortly afterwards the
procession of the king-elect issued from the
palace, n rudely- reconstructed building of
wood, and wended its way TO the platform.
the colors worn by the men. 1t was headed
by a band OF musicians, making great
uproar with toy trumpets and tom-toms.
Many military coats were conspicuous here.
as in the Consuls following In several in
stances big negroes were very small coats.
which, not meeting in front, were drawn
tightly to the figure with string. His 1Iajes-
ty, King Archbong. was scarcely less conf
cally dressed. His loins Were grit with
satin cloth OF many colors, while II long
Sieve hat covered his head. This hat had
evidently seen much service, being almost
shapeloss with indcntatons. His feet like
those OF his attendants. Were bare, and, there
was a huge umbrella held high above his
head. Archihonr. who is man about 60
years old, is totally blind, and leaned on the
arm of his son. lie ascenGed to the platform
amid the enthusiasm OF the assembled crowd,
VINO danced and shouted in the most frantic
manner hut as soon as Consul Hopkins re-
ceiyed the King the tumult ceased. The
Consul read the existing treaties between the
former Kings oil Old Calabar and Queen Vic
toria. which were interpreted to the King by
Mr.. Campbell, an English missionary on the
coast, and to which Archibong assented. A
new treaty was also drawn up, the King
agreeing thereto, which makes il compulsory
upon all Iii female subjects TO wear the Eu-
ropean style Of dress. Treaty matters hav-
irc been arranged, the ceremonv OF corona
ton was proceeded with. The Queen, with
her retinue OF female attendants, arrived and
took her place on the platform. Her Majes-
ty, very corpulent old lady WAS not permit
ted to take her seat by the side of her sable
consoIt Amid the continued silence OF tine
native throng, Consul Hopkins threw a
scarlet cloak round Ar hibong. put a crown
on his head and a sceptre in his hand. and
proclaimed him King Archibong Ill, of Old
Calabar.' Then the shrieks and hurrahs of
the assembled thousands rent the air, the
men and women dancing and shouting in
the widest glee The crown appeared to be
of gold, was very massive, and was studded
with representative diamonds. During the
ceremony the King seemed to be greatly
agitated. and at one time was scarcely able
10 hold the sceptre. Immediately after the
coronation salute of Il guns was fired, and
the King and his courtiers adjourned TO the
palace, where'a banquet in the native fashion
was prepared The English residents were
especially favored by the King, and among
those present at the dinner were Consul
Hopkins the wEole OF the English missiona-
ries of the district, and the Captain Chief
Engineer Doctor. and Purser of the mail
steamer kinsembo The principal dish con-
sisted OF palm oil chop, which is considered
great luxury by the natives.