426 ST. PAUL DE LOANDA. 



like myself, following another path, he entertained no uncharitable 

 feelings, nor would he ever sanction persecuting measures. He 

 compared the various sects of Christians, in their way to heaven, 

 to a number of individuals choosing to pass down the different 

 streets of Loanda to one of the churches — all would arrive at the 

 same point at last. His good influence, both in the city and the 

 country, is universally acknowledged : he was promoting the estab- 

 lishment of schools, which, though formed more on the monastic 

 principle than Protestants might approve, will no doubt be a bless- 

 ing. He was likewise successfully attempting to abolish the non- 

 marriage custom of the country ; and several marriages had taken 

 place in Loanda among those who, but for his teaching, would have 

 been content with concubinage. 



St. Paul de Loanda has been a very considerable city, but is 

 now in a state of decay. It contains about twelve thousand in- 

 habitants, most of whom are people of color.* There are various 

 evidences of its former magnificence, especially two cathedrals, 

 one of which, once a Jesuit college, is now converted into a work- 

 shop ; and in passing the other, we saw with sorrow a number of 

 oxen feeding within its stately walls. Three forts continue in a 

 good state of repair. Many large stone houses are to be found. 

 The palace of the governor and government offices are commodious 

 structures, but nearly all the houses of the native inhabitants are 

 of wattle and daub. Trees are planted all over the town for the 

 sake of shade, and the city presents an imposing appearance from 

 the sea. It is provided with an effective police, and the custom- 

 house department is extremely well managed. All parties agree 

 in representing the Portuguese authorities as both polite and 

 obliging ; and if ever any inconvenience is felt by strangers visit- 

 ing the port, it must be considered the fault of the system, and 

 not of the men. 



The harbor is formed by the low, sandy island of Loanda, 

 which is inhabited by about 1300 souls, upward of 600 of whom 

 are industrious native fishermen, who supply the city with abun- 



* From the census of 1850-51 we find the population of this city arranged thus : 

 830 whites, only 160 of whom are females. This is the largest collection of whites 

 in the country, for Angola itself contains only about 1000 whites. There are 2400 

 half-castes in Loanda, and only 120 of them slaves ; and there are 9000 blacks, 

 more than 5000 of whom are slaves. 



