We resume our account of Calabar affairs; for important and singular events occurred, soon after we left the country, which must be briefly noticed.

Towards the close of 1858, King Eyo suffered occasionally from severe pains about his heart; and forewarned thereby, it is supposed, publicly recognised his eldest son as his successor, charging him and the chiefs of the town that, in the event of his death, no persons should be killed for him. Having gone to his Uwet plantations, he had another violent attack, sent for Dr. Hewan, and recovered. Being a Sabbath there, he suspended labour as usual, called his people together for public worship, and desired Esien Ukpabio to officiate, who addressed him and them from solemn and appropriate words: “Watch, for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Lord cometh.” After his return to town he transacted business as usual for a week, and, among other things, gave the brethren an audience, and satisfactory assurances concerning the French demand for negroes for their West Indian colonies, then pressed, by a French ship, on the Calabar people. According to custom, he had his brothers at supper with him one night, but, feeling unwell, ate and drank sparingly. They had all left, and he was rising to retire, when he staggered, fell back on the sofa, and without a word, in a few minutes, expired.