The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-28
Experiences Of French Traveller in
DahOmey and Porto Nova.


NJ Paul Mimande has recently paid a
visit 10 TWO dusky potentates ruling, TN
der French control in West Africa, and
gives description OF his experiences IN
ILLUSTRATION. Aqo-h-Aqbo. the king OF
Dahomey. according 10 the writer, is A
decidedly antipathetic parsonage. Ills
majesty Is large. stout negro, with a
broad. fiat nose and a sly treacherous ex-
preston. On ceremonial occasions he
wears sort OF tcga OF white cloth and a
pastehosrd helmet covered with some
snangled material. This costume, al
though sufficiently absurd. has the adj
vantage of being simple and inexpensive.
Aao-ii-Aabo is vain and fond of display:
but unhappiiy the royal purse is depleted.
and he cannot crafty his luxurious
tastes. Too poor 10 maintain the royal
stables he has been obliged to abandon
driving about in the berlin. which his
predecessor enjoyed. and in his morsiiica-
ton hit upon happy expedent which is
characteristic. He caused a small vehicle
to be huIlt- something like the wagons in
which peddiers hawk their goods al conn
try fairs. and. in deficiency OF horses. con-
ferred upon his ministers the honor of
dragging II. The ministers play their
part to perfection They trot along RAPID
" at an even pace. and. the drive over.
resume their posts as the confidential
friends and advisers of their sovereign.
Aao-li-Aaho has had the honor, NJ. Paul
Mimandc declares. of realizing practically
for the FIRST time the conception Of the
chariot of state. which has hitherto been
regarded as merely an abstraction.
The King Of Dahomey has 80 wives and
lives IN the old palace OF Sambodii. which
formerly witnessed so many human sacri-
fees the very walls only short time ago
being garuished with skulls. He has no
longer any power either 70 behead ar cru
city ard contents himself with smoking.
drinking and courtship
Toffs the king % Porto Nova f.
much more wealthy and powerful mon
arch. Indeed. since solomon Il & a dues-
ton whether he has had his peer. Tofa
has a f1stl fr@asUrr. ga wives -H c1acll-
hines al iih;iurn. who never address him
save on their Knees; subjects VINO pros
'ratc themselves a; his approach. and
children more numerous than those %
i'riam. He Is man 81 about 81 black rs
tae fc- W ses&e~ with small hut keen
piercing black ewes. and Is very subtle
and Intelligent When he appears IN his
royal costume. a splendid robe emb,3i-
eerer with gold. hsiwe; with 4 tuf:ei
plume. his arms loaded with bracelets
Eei Nis hreas' Starred with anuietS he
roIuces an extraordinary ard very con-
Trajectory irnrression-that OF grotcSgue-
reSs combined with real dignity.
Toffa's palace Is handsome wooden
structure M, ur'fh. ~ country. sat
4 icug avenue 81 trees leads up 10 g. and
the inCiosure IN which Il stands IS SIN
rounded ~ Wall with su innmense or
trance gste which. for Tire most mart Is
Hospitality open !; = evident 1hat tAs
king = beloved by his subiecs. and Il in
70 fear - anarchists and dynamjtars His
manner Of receiving European visitors -
rovel ToTa sits upon MS throre IN tina
reception han surrounded nv his counsel
lcrs and members % the Household The
FORE Snc~S are Introduced 4 aattfe %
cha elpagre : brought ard the three prfr-
c'psl officials ~ the ktnSHon come FOR
ward 20 onsO Y one takes the bottle he
second tire cnrSs~rew. and 70, third the
glasses Their faces sre grave .hoy f4el
TIE responsibility ~ :hefr important office
When fEe glasses ara hllea the king
rises This Is the supreme moment. tie
CourtlerS PROSTATE themselves face down
ward his ira 'e~ty clicks us glass win
those - his guests and they drink N 81
ience The ceremony over Tcga res,l.9es
his SCAT s0d ~tr'kes the 9oor with his
cane the signal Tor the courtiprS =, rise
On hearing II they start up Swapping
their fingers Ike castanets