THE TREASURES OF A KING.

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 132, 2 December 1893, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE TREASURES OF A KING.

_♦ The reports which have from time to time been received in Europe respecting King Bhanzin of Dahomey would lead to the belief that His Majesty is devoid of all sentiment of humanity or civilisation. A gentleman who has just arrived in Liverpool from West Africa, and who was a regular correspondent with the King, furnishes some very inte?esting particulars about this now notorious monarch. Europe knows him now as the beaten foe of France, and whose sacrifices of human beings have filled the civilised world with horror. But these latter, it would seem, are to be put down more to the "customs" of the country than to the desire of Bhanzin. In his correspondence, His Majesty shows 'himself a discipline of modern fashion in his selection of a gorgeous coat of arms which embellishes all his letters. This takes the form of two fishes jumping out of the water in ati opposite direction, and thereby crossing over each other. His letters are written by a secretary, and bear the official stamp of Bhanzin. In these he has told his friend of his desire for "an honourable peace witli France," but a condition of this is the due recognition by France of their ancient rights of Dahomey and of him as the King. A Royal demise in Dahomey is the occasion of a four years of " mourning," which is observed by not allowing the hair to be touched. This, from a sanitary point of view, can be well imagined, but as a hideous spectacle must be seen to be fully realised. borne of the prisoners captured by the French were thus arrayed, and by them had their heads shaved. This net of desecration was more keenly felt by Bhanzin than the loss of a battle, es the Dahomians preserve their historical pecularities with a sacredness beyond all price. There can be no doubt but that the King is, or was, fabulously wealthy, and to his English correspondent he was deploring the loss 160 pots of gold, which had been stolen from-^him by the Yoruba people after his retreat from before the French. Theso pots were each about 12 inches in height by some 18 inches in circumference, and had been buried in the earth by the King's confidants. When each ruler of Dahomey dies his wealth is buried, but where is kept a secret. Knowing this, the French are said to have dug all over the country, with the object of unearthing the treasure. Onu message which the King forwarded to Lngos to be cabled to England cost £130. To pay this the King 6ent down coin which had evidently been buried for generations. It was tho currency of many countries, though chiefly Portuguese, Mexican, Brazilian, and Chilian, and was covered with blue mould, which caused an affection of the eyes to the one who counted them in Lagos. The King has expressed his willingness to recognise the ports of Kotouou and Port Novo as French territory, but Whydah he regards as absolutely his own. Bhanzin is quite prepared to conform to all civilised rules and laws, but says that his people would require time to be educated up to them. At the request of his English friend Bhanzin has sent five ambassadors dowa to Lagos. Those men are now at Lagos, and are likely to come to Liverpool en route for Paris, to try and arrange terms with the French Government, The Kings of Dahomey have always held despotio sway. There is no appeal from his ruling. He is always surrounded by his-anfazons, and can only be approached through them.