CRUICKSHANK'S GOLD COAST OF AFRICA.'

MB. CRUICKSHANK has passed the last eighteen years of his life at Cape Coast Castle, or the settlements under its influence, engaged fore ooaside,ratde portion of the time in the discharge of public duties which brought him into constant connexion with the natives in matters of law and custom. His book is the result of his long opportunities and experience; and it contains the most thorough and complete account of the character, customs, supersti- tions, laws and social state of the Western Negroes, that we have seen. To this survey Mn Cruickshank has added a history of our settlements on the Gold Coast, with a geographical sketch of the

The book is full of stories or cases illustrative of the topics in band, but it is rather a series of essays upon classes of sub- jects than anything approaching to what is understood by travels. Here and there the author throws in a description, and an evi- dently living knowledge pervades the whole ; but personal incidents or the results of particular observation are rarely met with. This mode of composition perhaps imparts value as an instructive exposition, but rather detracts from the popular character. Mr. Cruickshank, moreover, is rather too prone to reflection or

discussion, which often gives to his pages the air of a sermon or lecture. . In spite of these drawbacks the book is a full and lifelike picture of a people whose hardships as plantation-

slaves have brought them more fully before the world than their own importance or deeds would have accomplished ; whose cha- racter and condition at home has been the subject of much dis- pute; and whose social position is well worth study. The insti- tutions and civil state of the Negroes seem to bear a closer re- semblance to that of the Germanic tribes than might have been expected ; while some of their customs and laws are counterparts of those of the Hebrews as recorded in the Mosaic writings.

The subjects Mr. Cruickshank most fully discusses are Fetish— their religion or superstition ; laws, and usages having the effect of laws ; slavery, and the results of missionary teaching, with the future prospects of this part of Africa. The system of Fetish has often been handled before, but never so fully or so philosophically, with such a complete exposure of the arts of Fetish men or so fair an estimate of its results. Bad and fraudulent as is the sys- tem, it was held by the principal and best-informed natives that its abolition, without something to put in its place, would be dan- gerous, since it still exercised a control over the conduct of the people by means of fear. Circumstances, however, have lately enabled the Government to thoroughly expose the fraud, and they have done so, without apparent evil consequences. On the contrary, it has extended a nominal Christianity, and led to the building of chapels. The extent of African slavery, the tyranny which the native master can exercise over his slave, and very often does, except when checked by British influence, give some countenance to the planter's argument, ridiculous as it sounds' that the Negro is worse off at home. Slavery is interwoven with the whole system of life. Almost every man is born a slave or is liable to become a slave. In the case of captured, purchased, or slaves born of slaves, the case is intelligible enough. The peculiarities of African law render almost every one a slave, or so deeply indebted that his freedom is unsubstantiaL By a singular and rather complex system of mar- riage-laws, children are not often born free ; but besides, the father or mother may belong to the father's or mother's family. As in many other nations, a debt which cannot be discharged reduces a man to slavery. There is also a system of pawn- ing. The head of a family may pawn his relations to raise money ; and though they may have an option on some occasions, the point of honour prevents its being enforced. Till the debt is repaid with fifty per cent interest, the pawned are practically slaves, and so are the children unless they are redeemed ; while the pawnee seems to possess a summary sort of foreclosing power, by which he may sell them all. This state of things renders our direct interference on the subject of slavery a ticklish affair, especially as we have no political rights in the country either by conquest or ces- sion: in fact, we are truly no more than tenants of the facto- ries we occupy. The Colonial Office could not be made to under- stand this ; and at a more fanatical period, or perhaps when the Anti-Slavery party were supposed to be more powerful than they now are, it directed proceedings that would have inevitably ended in war, had they been carried out by the authorities at Cape Coast Castle. Even now the Office persists in " ignoring " the subject.

The Negro mind is litigious and casuistical. Few persons are found without a knowledge of the laws, or the power of conducting a case ; for a man's fortune or freedom may depend upon his skill. Mr. Cruickshank gives a very bad account of their law and prac- tice. Abstractedly such may be the fact; but it does not strike us that Negro jurisprudence is much worse than law in other places. The case of Quansah versus Oboo, which our author adduces as an instance of African judicial iniquity, is not without parallel at home in its main features. The plaintiff; Quansah, was jealous of his cousin and family head, Oboo, though on no better grounds than some superstitious notions. He proceeded against the suspected ; but in lieu of going before his proper chief, Ottoo, he carried his case before the Pynins, or assembly of headmen—the Collective 'wisdom. The decision of the Pynins conveys to the mind of the Fantee a species ol abstract necessity, an irresponsible kind of fatality, which admits neither of resistance nor redress.

'*Zghteen Years on the Gold Coast of Africa; including an Account of the Native Tribes, and their Intercourse with Europeans. By Brodie Cruickshank, Member of the Legislative Council, Cape Coast Castle. In two volumes. Published by Hurst

and Blackett.

" When the day arrived for the hearing of Quansah's charge, a large space was cleanly swept in the market-place, for the accommodation of the assembly : for this a Charge of -ten.thilibigs was made and paid. When the Pynins had taken their seats, surrounded by their followers, who squatted upon the ground, a consultation took place as to the amount which they ought to charge for the occupation of their valuable time; and, after duly considering the plaintiff's means, with the view of extracting from him as much as they could, they valued their intended cervices at 61. 15s. ; which he was in like manner called upon to pay. Another charge of 21. 5s. was made in the name Of tribute tithe chief, and as an acknowledgment of gra- titude for his presence -upon the occasion : U. 10s, was then ordered to be paid to purchase rum for the judges, 11. for the gratification of the followers, ten shillings to the man who took the trouble to weigh out these different sums, and five shillings to the court-criers. Thus Quansah had to Ray 121. 15s to bring his case before this angust court ; the members of which during-the trial carried on a pleasant carouse of rum and palm wine. " The preliminaries having been thus arranged to their satisfaction, the defendant Oboo was then brought before them ; and, notwithstanding his protestations of innocence? he was compelled to pay 121. 15s. as Quansah had done. An investigation then took place amid the wanton jokes and obscene ribaldry of the crowd, who prolonged the entertainment while the drink lasted.

" Quansuh had nothing to ground his charge upon but his own suspicions, drawn from several inconclusive circumstances not deserving of consideration. His wife was examined, and declared her innocence ; and the charge alto- gether remained unsupported by a single iota of evidence. "As Quansah, however, insisted that both Oboe and his wife should take the oath of purgation, the Pynins were not allowed to declare their innocence until this ceremony was concluded. But even this oath did not satisfy Quan- sah he represented that the Fetish by which they had sworn was not sufficiently powerful to reveal their guilt, and that he would net be satisfied until they had made a journey td the Braffoo Fetish at Mankassim, and taken the oath of purgation before the priests there. This being considered the principal Fetish of the country, an appeal of this kind is not made without considerable expense ; but the Pynins declared themselves satisfied of Oboes innocence without the confirmation of the Braffoo Fetish, whom they made it optional for him and the woman to consult or not as they thought fit. "This finding made Quansah liable for the payment of Oboo's expenses : but there was little Compensation to be found in this, for to raise the funds to enable him to begin this prosecution, Quansah had pawned his services to one of the head men-who assisted at this mockery of justice ; and, unless by any extraordinary good fortune- he was enabled to repay the loan, he would very_probably pass the remainder of his life in servitude.

"hut the evil eonsemences of this iniquitous transaction did not stop short here. Oboe and his family were simple tillers of the ground, whose entire riches consist for the.most part in their periodical crops of oorn, yams, plantain, and Canada; -which barely suffice to support the family, and to sup- ply them with funds to purchase a few articles of clothing and a little rum for the performance of _their annual customs ; upon any sudden demand for money, they have no other resource than that of selling or pawning them- selves and their relations. On the occasion which we have been describing., Oboe was obliged to 131edge two'of his 'nephews to obtain the 12/. 15s., which was shared among the head men and their myrmidons. Thus we have seen, in this brief history, with what a fatal facility the corrupt nature of the na- tive tribunals becomes instrumental in gratifying the passions of vindictive men. The instance here Cited is far froin being a solitary one, either ihi its criminality or in the injuriousness of its consequences, and it has been se- lected as of late ocetirrence, and as having come under the (Afield notiee of the writer ; who had the pleasure of being able to restore to freedom the ne- phews of Oboo, by means of a process of disgorging to whieh he compelled Ottoo and his head men to submit."

Twelve pounds fifteen ahillings is undoubtedly a large sum for the Gold Coast; but if the costs of each litigant in our courts on a somewhat similar oocasion were reduced to African vaiue they doubtless would amount to as much at least. The plaintiff :falling in his suit, and not being worth the costs of the defendant, sometimes occurs in happy England, where men are also occasionally ruined by law or its charges. The decision was sound enough; and from all the cost, anxiety, and wearing suspense of the law's delay, the litigants were freed. The job was settled out of hand and finally. Had Mr. Quansah been a British litigant, he probably might have been able to carry his case before a British vourt which should be analogous "to the Braffoo Fetish at Mankassim." Mr. Cruickshank was intimate with the late, Governor Maclean; of whose character and administration he gives a very favourable account. He was also acquainted with Mrs. Maclean—" L. E. L."; parted from her the night before her death, when she was in the highest spirits; was one of the first and the last to see her lifeless body, and the very last to leave her grave. The chapter he devotes to the poetess at Cape Coast Castle and her death will be to many readers the most interesting in the book. We take a few pas- sages-

" I was at breakfast next morning with Mr. Topp, about nine o'clock, when a servant burst hurriedly into the room, and said, You are wantedin the fort—Mr. Maclean is dead!'

"Deeply shocked with this innouncement, we hastened to the castle ; and found Mr. Swanzy, Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Hutton, hurrying in the same di- rection. It was only on arriving at the gate that we found that it was Mrs. Maclean who was dead. This still more staggered us ; for the state of Mn Maclean's health might have led to such a sudden event, but Mrs. Maclean the night before had been in perfect health. Never shall I forget the horror- stricken expression of Mr. Maelean's countenance. He appeared perfectly paralyzed, and could scarcely answer our eager questions. We entered the room, whero all that was mortal of poor L. E. L. was stretched upon the bed. Dr. Cobbold rose up from a close examination of her face, and told us all was over- she was beyond recovery. My heart would not believe it. It seemed impossible that she, from whom I had parted not many hours ago so full of life and energy, could be so suddenly struck down. I seized her hand, and gazed upon her face. The expression was calm and meaningless. Her eyes were open, fixed, and protruding. The chill of death was upon her. It was too true. Her bright spirit had fled for ever. Oh! how desolating the blight which falls upon the heart at such a moment ! For some tune my thoughts could not take any shape or form. A dead weight seemed to press with a numbing power upon all my senses.

"I was first roused to the reality by observing Mr. Maclean. He had slid down upon a chair, and sat evidently unconscious of all that was passing around him. His crushed and wo-begone appearivace deeply affected me. I went and mised him up, and led him to his chamber. It was some time before any of us could think of what was to be done; but when we had somewhat recovered from the shock, it was determined that a coroner's in- quest should immediately be held. I went to announce this to Mr. Maclean. "'Yes,' he said, 'for God's sake, yes—do everything that can throw any light upon this awful visitation.' • • *

"In those warm latittides interment follows death with a haste which often cruelly shocks the feelings. Mrs. Maclean was buried the same even- ing within the precincts of the castle. Mr. Topp read the funeral service, and the whole of the residents assisted at the solemn ceremony. The grave was lined with walls of brick and mortar, with an arch over the coffin. Boon after the conclusion of the service, one of those heavy showers only known in Tropical climates suddenly came on. All departed for their houses. I remained to see the arch completed. The bricklayers were obliged to get a covering to protect them and their work from the rain. Night had come on before the paving-stones were all tint down over the grave, and the work- men finished their business by torchlight. How sadly yet does that night of gloom return to my remembrance! How sad were then my thoughts, as, wrapped up in my cloak, I stood beside the grave of L. E. L., under that pitiless torrent of rain! I fancied what would be the thoughts of thousands in England, if they could see and know the meaning of that flickering light, of those busy workmen and of that silent watcher ! I thought of yesterday, when at the same time was taking my seat beside her at dinner ; and now, oh, how very, very sad the change ! "When all was finished, I proceeded to Mr. Maclean's chamber, and found him seeking consolation—where alone it was to be found—in the pages of his Bible. His heart was too full to speak. He wrung ray hand in silence, and I left him."