cummy, are arbiters in common disputes. which occur between the natives of Annamaboo, or between them and Europeans; but disputes of a more serious nature, such as may affect the liberties, or properties of men of wealth and consequence, are generally referred to the lawyers of the Brafoo country, who, like their brethren of the long robe in civilized Europe, generally contrive to strip both plaintiff and defendant of their property; and he, whose purse holds out the longest, saves perhaps his liberty, while his less wealthy antagonist and family are often doomed to slavery and exile. To be rich, and ostentatious in the display of it, is, in Fantee, as certain ruin to the individual practising it, as in the territory of the Grand Seignor: cunning men, therefore, as they become wealthy, affect great moderation and humility; strengthen themselves by family alliances, and use every stratagem to keep out of palavers, and elude the vigilance of the Pinins,

who are generally on the alert, and watch for

prey, as the petty-fogging attornies of commercial towns in Europe do for batteries and assaults. The advantage which a man, possessing sagacity and prudence along with riches, has over one who combines with wealth a vain and ostentatious parade of it, is strongly exemplified in the two following characters. Yellow Joe and Tom Coffee are both natives of Fantee, resident traders at Annamaboo, and long-established gold-takers. The former, both in colour, person, and features, is more like an Egyptian than a native of the Gold Coast; except, that his hair is crisp and woolly, like that of his countrymen. He has a most penetrating eye, and much gravity in his demeanor, particularly when he is in the society of Europeans, with whom he is reserved and cautious, seldom smiling, or saying much; although, when he does speak, it is always to the purpose. If a dispute arises between a captain and a

native of consequence, he invariably supports the cause of the latter, knowing well, that it is from that quarter only he has to apprehend injury: he is cautious, therefore, never to make an enemy who might, out of revenge, involve him in a quarrel, which would bring inevitable ruin on himself and family; for being reputed rich, the blowing awry of a feather would almost be a sufficient pretext to excite the cupidity of the lawyers belonging to the Fantee Court of Chancery. He treats with condescension, and much apparent humility, persons of all ranks who visit him, either out of courtesy, or for advice; and whatever his house affords, his guests are treated with. His dress is simple, and of little value; and he never wears about his person much gold, as is the practice with wealthy natives of the Gold Coast. His chief residence is at Annamaboo, where he carries on his commercial pursuits, and pays and receives visits of ceremony. At Annishan, one mile to the

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westward of Annamaboo, and which is called his croom, or village, he has a residence, and where, it is said, he indulges himself in the contemplation of his wealth, unobserved, and occasionally distributes to his sons some portion of it; for Tacky Mensa, who is his nephew and heir-at-law, would deprive them, at their father's death, of that, which, in England, would be their lawful inheritance.

Tom Coffee, both in colour and features, is a complete African. To a portly person is added much amenity of countenance; and in his disposition there is something of a hearty generosity: but Tom, unfortunately, was known to be rich, for he took no pains to conceal it, but rather courted observation, by a vain and ostentatious display of his wealth. He acquired his property chiefly by trading with Europeans, and was a great favourite both with them and the native traders of remote countries, whose cause he generally espoused in any

disputes that occurred between them and his townsmen; for it was through their instrumentality he had become rich, and this was the way in which he showed his gratitude. His house was more splendidly furnished than those of any of his neighbours, having many articles of European luxury in it; and the number of his domestic slaves and retainers was princely. Himself and wives dressed in very costly apparel; and he often wore about his person many pounds weight of pure rock gold: this was the fatal talisman. "If," said the Pinins, "Coffee can afford to wear so much gold, his strong box must be full." He was too rich a prize to escape their fangs, and too incautious a man not to be entrapped into a palaver, which soon plunged him into the bottomless pit, or Court of Chancery in the Brafoo country. The Chancery, unfortunately for Tom, was at this time without a suit, and the lawyers without a brief; he, therefore, was soon stripped of his wealth; and the