When I
Had Delivered My Presents, He Seemed Well Pleased, And Was
Particularly Delighted With The Umbrella, Which He Repeatedly Furled
And Unfurled, To The Great Admiration Of Himself And His Two
Attendants, Who Could Not For Some Time Comprehend The Use Of This
Wonderful Machine.
After this I was about to take my leave, when
the king, desiring me to stop a while, began a long preamble in
favour of the whites, extolling their immense wealth and good
dispositions.
He next proceeded to an eulogium on my blue coat, of
which the yellow buttons seemed particularly to catch his fancy; and
he concluded by entreating me to present him with it, assuring me,
for my consolation under the loss of it, that he would wear it on
all public occasions, and inform every one who saw it of my great
liberality towards him. The request of an African prince, in his
own dominions, particularly when made to a stranger, comes little
short of a command. It is only a way of obtaining by gentle means
what he can, if he pleases, take by force; and as it was against my
interest to offend him by a refusal, I very quietly took off my
coat, the only good one in my possession, and laid it at his feet.
In return for my compliance, he presented me with great plenty of
provisions, and desired to see me again in the morning. I
accordingly attended, and found in sitting upon his bed.
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