Ashamed

[A.S. gescamian, ascamian, to be ashamed. See SHAME.] Affected by shame; abashed; put to the blush. "This I have shadowed that you may not be ashamed of that hero."-Dryden. Asham'edly, adv . Bashfully; shyly. Ashan'go Land, a country of Loango, in W. Africa, between the rivers Gaboon and Congo, Lat. 1° 58′ 54 S.; Lon. 11° 56′ 38′′ E. A. was discovered in 1863, by Paul B. Du Chaillu, a celebrated French explorer, who has written a very interesting account of it. In the dense tropical forests of this and the adjoining countries was first seen the gorilla, an animal which is both the largest and fiercest of the ape tribe. Ashantee', an extensive kingdom of W. Africa, lying along the Guinea coast, between from 6° and 80 N. Lat., and from 4° 48′ W. to 1° 10' E. Lon., being 280 m. equally both in length and breadth.- Estim . Area , 70,000 sq.m.-Surface. Mountainous, but with no elevated peaks or summits; and on the N. of Lat. 7° to 8o the country is a large and very fertile plain. The Velta or Asweda, about 400 m. in length, and the A inee, are the principal rivers. There are several lakes, which, in the summer season, often overflow their banks.- Clim . The heat of six months of the year, from October to March, is exce ive, but during the remainder it is so cool that fires are frequently desirable. The coast is very unhealthy, especially to Europe ans. The rainy and foggy season lasts from May to October. From 7% N. Lat. to the coast, A. presents one vast forest, whose trees have all the stupendous characteristics of African vegetation, exemplified near the sea by the gigantic baobab, the cactus, mangrove, and various kinds of palm and cotton trees; and in the interior the oliferous and viniferous palms, the aloe, and the citron. The lands are generally covered with jungle, and Guinea gra of enormous height and thickne . The sugar-cane grows wild, and tobacco, maize, dhourra, yams, and rice, are produced in plenty. Fruits, as the pineapple, orange, banana, cocoa, fig, papay, ., flourish here in perfection, as also gums, aromatic plants, dye and hard woods. - A. has a magnificent flora , and po e es all the animals, reptiles, and insects peculiar to tropical Africa. - Inhab . The natives on the coast are well made and muscular, and le imbued with the characteristic features of the African type than those in the interior. The better cla es of the women are almost handsome, and of Indian rather than Negro physique. Both sexes are cleanly, and the upper orders wear a garment resembling the Roman toga. The lower orders are destitute of clothing, save a piece of cloth round the loins. There are five orders into which society is divided: the king, the caboceers, the gentry, the traders, and the slaves. Polygamy is allowed, but only acce ible to the rich. Well-stocked and well-managed markets are held in the towns. The common drink is palm-wine. At their high festivals, the most brutal exce es and cruelties are practised, and hundreds of human victims are sacrificed in cold blood. Cannibalism is practised, but not avowed; and to complete their character, it must be observed that they are great thieves, and extraordinary lovers of etiquette. - Com . Gold is the chief article of export, and a good deal is done in ivory, dye and hard woods. Slaves are exported when practicable. The imports are principally arms, gunpowder, rum, tobacco, ., and many kinds of European manufactured goods. The currency is gold, either in dust or small lumps, but the cowrie-shells in use farther N. are not unknown. - Gov. and Relig . The legislative power lies in the king, an aristocracy of 4 persons, and an a embly of caboceers, or captains. The religion of A. is Fetichism, but there are many indications of Mohammedanism. Language. 7 or 8 different languages are spoken within 60 m. of the coast. The only written language is the Arabic; and the Moslems are the only persons who can read and write. Cap . Cooma i.- Hist . The early history of A. is obscure. In consequence of disputes with the Fantees, A. declared war against the English, in 1824, were defeated, and compelled to recognize the independence of the Fantees. In 1874 England went again to war with A. , defeated the king in battle, burnt his capital, and compelled him to sue for peace. In 1895 new troubles broke out and a British expedition invaded the country, captured Cooma i, and took the king (Jan. 1896) as a hostage to Cape Town. A. is now a British protectorate. Ash'away, in R. I. , a manf. village of Washington co. Ash'borough, in Indiana , a post-village of Clay co., about 19 m. E. by S. of Terre-Haute. Ash'borough, in N. Carolina, a township and cap. of Randolph co., 78 m. N.W. of Fayetteville. There are cotton mills in the neighborhood. Ash'bourne, a borough and par. of England, Derby shire. At A. , in 1644, the Parliamentary troops defeated those of Charles I. Pop . of par. 5,445. Ash'burn, in Mi ouri, a post-village of Pike co., on the Mi i ippi, 17 m. S.E. of Hannibal. Ash'buruham, in Ma achusetts, a post-township of Worcester co., 55 m. N.W. of Boston. Ashburnham, a village in Peter borough co, Ontario, Canada. Pop. 1,674.