Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-04-29
KING ALAKE OF AFRICA.
HIs HrGHNEss PAYS VISIT TO
OLD ENGLAND
LIS a Gorgeous and Picturesque Poten
tate, and saw Everything
TO BE Seen

His majesty the Alake Of Abeokata,
the dusky monarch OF the West Afri-
can Egbas, VINO mas gone to England
in search OF notions Tor the benefit
of his people, was somewhat upset,
said the London Times recently, by
the English climate. He had intend
! ed TO see something of the mighty
metropolis of the world of which he
had heard, and read, and dreamt so
much. But he did not like the wealth
| er.
When he came from his morning
bath, swathed in heavily wadded silk,
he looked out on the mud in the street
and shfvered. With sigh he called
to Prince Ademola, and said, Cousin,
go, get you English clothes, l cannot
have you i'll" Ademola, the object
Of this tender solicitude, Is a giant
stripping, standing over six feet high
and measuring over sixty inches
round the chest. And your majesty"
asked the prince. Nay" replied the
Alake, with a smile which was lost
in a shiver. Il have come to try all
things English as they have them in
England, and will try their weather,
too. But you, go you and buy your
self English clothes"
The Alake is taller and bigger than
the prince. His face is strong, smil-
ing and attractive. His robe, which
just showed the tight bottoms of the
legs of his embroidered silk trousers,
was of royal blue and purple, SO rich
ly embroidered with gold thread and
silk flowers as to appear in places
all gold. On his head he wore q cir
cular cap, something like an old-time
smoking cap, but so lavishly embroid-
cred with gold that 1t looked like a
crown, and on top of it, adding to ef-
feet, were golden lizards.
At the Colonial Office his majesty
was received by r. l.. Antrobus, the
chief of the West African Department,
who presented the members of his
Office. But the Alake was not long
before he introduced the topic he has
most closely at heart, the cotton grow
ing of his territory. He was delighted
when MIR. Antrobus informed him
that all he could grow would, for the
next three years at least, be bought
at price not less than Id. per pond
That would, he said, greatly encour-
age his farmers. He was equally
pleased to hear that he was to be
taken into some of the agricultural
districts of England, where he might
also learn much that would be useful
to his farmers.
On the drive back the Alake saw
the prince and his chief secretary
| SILVER with the cold. Co." he said,
and buy you English overcoats; 1t
! is evident that we shall need them"
| The entire suite went and bought
heavy listers to wear over their ma
tive robes until the English sun shall
shine 1t was also out of considera-
ton for his suite that his majesty
| postponed his visit to the zoo, and
went in the afternoon to Nine Tus-
sands instead. Even with the ulsters
he caught sight of shiver, and again
he sent out and bought pile of heavy
silk scarves, which he distributed. The
native dress is open at the throat. But
throughout he himself continued to
brave the cold. although he would not
| let the others do so.
Adegboyega Edun, the chief secre-
tary, spoke with enthusiasm of his
country, his people. and his monarch.
"All of our people can read their own
language, and many Of them English.
too" he said. Then he spoke of the
great progress which had been made
by his people under the Alake and his
late father, and their great desire for
advancement, and he produced with
great pride a copy of the Treaty of
Friendship and Commerce made az
Abeokuta. Jan. Is, 1898" with Eng
land to show that his country was an
Independent state. Speaking of Eng
lish fare, he said that the Alake now
aIw'Fs eats English food at home.