Canamina, its Population--Adawie--Preparations for entering the Capital--Abomey--My hospitable Reception--Visit from Mayho, the Prime Minister--Message from the King--The Palace--The Market-place--Dead Bodies of Criminals hung up--My Reception by his Majesty--Ceremony on Introduction--Conversation with the King--Perform the Sword Exercise before him--His Approbation--Troops of Female Soldiers--The King’s Person--Ceremony of the Introduction of Military Officers--Dress of the Female Soldiers--Introduced to the King’s Chiefs--Visits--The King’s Staff--Review of Native Troops--Feigned Attack on a Town--The King’s Soldier-wives--Ashantee Prince--His Majesty’s Opinion of England and the English--The vain Boasting of the Ashantee Prince silenced by the King--Principal Officers--The Dahoman Women formidable Soldiers CHAPTER XII. 241 Visit to the King at his Palace--Description of it--Reception by his Majesty--Gaudy Dress of the Attendants--Masks, Ornaments, &c.--Occasion of the War between the Mahees and Dahomans, and its Result--The King’s Walking-staffs--Dance performed by his Majesty--Another Review of Female Troops--Execution of Four Traitors--Horrible Occurrence--Disgusting office of the Blood-drinker--Ludicrous Scene--The King’s Mother and Grandmother--Dance performed by them--Costume of the King’s Favourite Wives--I perform on the Jew’s Harp--I dance with his Majesty--His Message to the Queen of England--Ridiculous Customs--Court of Appeal established at Abomey--Character of the King--Domestic Slavery--A Slave-hunt--Military Distinctions--Want of Natural Affection in the Natives--Roguery of my Servant--The King’s Commissions to me--An Interesting Incident--Murderous Attack on me by my Servant--Inquiry into the Occurrence--My Servant compelled to accompany me CHAPTER XIII. 272 Departure for the Kong Mountains--My Dahoman Guards and their several Duties--The King’s Wife--Neighbouring Krooms--Soil and Aspect of the Country--Varied Scenery--Cana--Bobay--Illness of my Servant--Immense Blocks of Granite--Custom-house--Duties imposed--Milder Laws established--Dtheno--Travelling Traders--The Azowah--Destruction of the Shea Butter-tree--Its Manufacture declared to be lawful--Description of this Tree--Immense Mountains--Ruins of Managlwa--Destruction of that Town by the Dahomans--Beautiful Scenery--Markets--Setta Dean--Reception by the Caboceer--Dance performed by him--Setta--Serenade--Supply of Provisions--Custom of Tasting--The Caboceer’s Speech--The Natives expert as Cooks--Variety of Food--Palm Oil--Occro--Presents from the Caboceer--The Widow’s Mite--Harmless Deception--Presents to the Natives--Dance performed by the Soldiers--Situation of Setta; its Soil, &c.--Its Population ILLUSTRATIONS TO THE FIRST VOLUME.