nt. In the second division are two huts, rather smaller, about
ten paces from each other, in which dwell his wives.

AFRICAN FUNERALS.

The custom of burying the dead in the floor of dwelling-houses, is
prevalent on the Gold Coast of Africa, as far as that country is known
to Europeans. The ceremony is purely Pagan, and without any form,
except that of the females of the family of the deceased and their
friends making a mournful lamentation; and in some instances they work
their feelings up to such a degree of apparent sorrow, that their
conduct has every symptom of insanity. This scene of revelry is not a
little heightened by the profuse use of ardent spirits, which has so
powerful an attraction, that drummers, flute-players, bards, and
singing men come from great distances to partake of the libations; and
as the savage uproar lasts often for a week, it leads to every kind of
dissolute practice in both sexes. Another custom, or repetition of
this barbarous usage, frequently takes place seven years after the
demise of persons of consequence, which is still more expensive than
the former: as such are the baneful prejudices in favour of these
habits, that families have too frequently pawned their relatives to
raise money to defray the expense; they purchase cattle, sheep, goats,
and poultry, and with the assistance of what is brought by their
friends and acquaintances, they are enabled to keep up a scene of riot
for many days. The carcasses of animals sacrificed are not burned and
sown in the wind as in times of old, but the Fantees more wisely, eat
them, greater attention being paid to the flavour of the viands and
the fragrance of the strong liquor than to the manes of the dead.

* * * * *

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

WILLY M'GEE'S MONKEY.

I dinna think that in a' nature there's a mair curiouser cratur than
a monkey. I mak this observe frae being witness to an extraordinar'
event that took place in Hamilton. Folk may talk as they like about
monkeys, and cry them down for being stupid and mischievous, I for
ane will no gang that length. Whatever they may be on the score
of mischief, there can be nae doubt, that, sae far as gumption is
concerned, they are just uncommon; and for wit and fun they would beat
ony man black and blue. In fact, I dinna think that monkeys are beasts
ava. I hae a half notion that they are just wee hairy men that canna,
or rather that winna s