Author: DALZEL, Archibald.
Title: The history of Dahomey, an inland kingdom of Africa; compiled from authentic memoirs; with an introduction and notes.
Description: London, T. Spilsbury and Son, 1793.4to. Later half calf, spine gilt. With folding engraved map after R. Norris, and 6 engraved plates by Chesham (one partly cut short and tipped in). XXXII,XXVI,(4),230 pp.First edition. - Dalzel was the former governor at Whydah (now Quida, Benin), West-Africa, and at time of publication of the present work, governor at Cape-Coast-Castle. His official position enabled him opportunities of obtaining valuable and accurate information. Parts of the history are compiled from i.a. the memoirs of Robert Norris, who spent eighteen years in the African trade, and from the communications of Lionel Abson, Dalzel's successor as British governor at Whydah. 'His History was both a historical compilation and propaganda against the abolition of the slave trade. He argued that the slave trade saved African victims from human sacrifice and slaughter' (The Paolo Bianchi Collection 102). The plates are showing scenes with armed women with the King at their head going to war, a public procession of the King's women, victims for sacrifice, etc. - (Occasionally sl. foxed; small library stamp on title-page).Cardinall 396; Hogg 170; Work p.8.

Keywords: Africa Ghana Jubileum cat. West Africa