KING DIES IN EXILE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81917, 28 January 1907, Page 4

KING DIES IN EXILE

o CHEQUERED CAREER OF A BLACK ] MONARCH. Paris, December 10. Reuhanzin. the ex-King of Dahomey, died at Algiers early Uiis morning. The exiled king expired in the pre hence uf his tliree wives and his son. Prime Ounilo. ami they continue to keep watch over the body. The doctor was sent foil at four o'clock this morning, but all he could do was to administer cocaine from time to time to ease the king's dying moments. The body lies on a mattress spread on the floor, and is covered with a black pall. Prince Ounilo remains moaning beside the mai tress, and lamenting the fact that his fatter died too suddc ' to be able to communicate his last wishes. The Prince has begged to be allowed to bear the hody back 'to Dahomey for burial, and the Govern merit is considering the request.

Belmnzin was installed King of Dahomey—formerly a negro monarchy but now a French colony, on the west ciast of Africa—in 181)0. His continuous raids into French territory caused the French Government to despatch an expedition against him, which led to his defeat and uncondi tional surrender in 1804. It was decided to exile Behanz'm tn Martinque, where he was kept a prisoner for twslvc years. The great eruption of Mont Pelec in 1902 affected him so strongly that it brought on .a nervous breakdown, and in, April of this year he. was removed, at his own request, to Algeria. Behanzin was of gigantic stature, fierce in countenance, with grizzled and curly hair, and a tuft of beard on lis chin. Shorn of all his kingly glory. Belianzin found civilised life distressingly dull. He spent most of his time smoking large black cigars, of which he was allowed forty a 'day. He was also provided with a daily por tion of (rum. • Behanzin's daughters are inveterate smokers, but etiquette for them prescribes pipes. In July last Behanzin's son, Prince Ounila. attempted suicide by drinking a decoction of match heads. Then he shouted for help, which arrived just in time to save his life.