QUILLIMANE. 265 



adapted for the cultivation on any large scale of 

 such tropical plants as sugar-cane, cotton, &c. 



" The houses are of the large and solid type 

 common to the older Portuguese settlements, 

 and the few Europeans and mixed inhabitants 

 seem to lead easy and happy lives. 



" The SS. Natal being only the second be- 

 longing to the Union Company that had ascended 

 the river to the town, the event had still the 

 charm of novelty to the inhabitants, a crowd of 

 natives being massed on the banks and pier 

 during the time the steamer lay in the river. 

 On our arrival we were immediately boarded by 

 the Custom House and other authorities, and by 

 Senhor Nunes, the Company's agent, who is well 

 known for his kindness and the assistance he 

 has rendered to our explorers and expeditions on 

 the Zambesi. 



" Captain Travers invited the principal in- 

 habitants, including ladies,* to a lunch on board 



* Among the ladies, who were of all shades of colour, two were 

 quite black, wearing bright blue dresses of European fashion, white 

 tulle bonnets with pink rosebuds, and white kid gloves ! 



