win-mothers could now live in the town, and
that if any one murdered the twins or harmed the mothers he
would be hanged by the neck. If you could have heard the
twin-mothers who were there, how they laughed and clapped their
hands and shouted, "Soso[~n]o! Soso[~n]o!" ("Thank you! Thank you!").
You will not wonder that amidst all the noise I turned aside and
wept tears of joy and thankfulness, for it was a glorious day
for Calabar.

A few days later the treaties were signed, and at the same time
a new King was crowned. Twin-mothers were actually sitting with
us on a platform in front of all the people. Such a thing had
never been known before. What a scene it was! How can I describe
it? There were thousands of Africans, each with a voice equal to
ten men at home, and all speaking as loudly as they could. The
women were the worst. I asked a chief to stop the noise. "Ma,"
he said, "how I fit stop them woman mouth?" The Consul told the
King that he _must_ have quiet during the reading of the
treaties, but the King said helplessly, "How can I do? They be
women--best put them away," and many _were_ put away.

And the dresses! As some one said of a hat I trimmed, they were
"overpowering." The women had crimson silks and satins covered
with earrings and brooches and all kinds of finery. The men were
in all sorts of uniform with gold and silver lace and jewelled
hats and caps. Many naked bodies were covered with beadwork,
silks, damask, and even red and green table-cloths trimmed with
gold and silver. Their legs were circled with brass and
beadwork, and unseen bells that tinkled all the time. The hats
were immense affairs with huge feathers of all colours and
brooches.

The Egbo men were the most gorgeous. Some had large
three-cornered hats with long plumes hanging down. Some had
crowns, others wore masks of animals with horns, and all were
looped round with ever so many skirts and trailed tails a yard
or two long with a tuft of feathers at the end. Such splendour
is barbaric, but it is imposing in its own place.

Well, the people have agreed to do away with many of the bad
customs they have that hinder the spread of the Gospel. You must
remember that it is the long and faithful teaching of God's
word that is bringing the people to a state of mind fit for
better things.