464 T HE KING 0F CONGO. 



kingdom, the fruits of the mission established in former times at 

 San Salvador, the capital. These churches are kept in partial re- 

 pair by the people, who also keep up the ceremonies of the Church, 

 pronouncing some gibberish over the dead, in imitation of the Latin 

 prayers which they had formerly heard. Many Of them can read 

 and write. When a King of Congo dies, the body is wrapped up 

 in a great many folds of cloth until a priest can come from Loan- 

 da to consecrate his successor. The King of Congo still retains 

 the title of Lord of Angola, which he had when the Jinga, the 

 original possessors of the soil, owed him allegiance; and, when he 

 writes to the Governor of Angola, he places his own name first, 

 as if addressing his vassal. The Jinga paid him tribute annually 

 in cowries, which were found on the island that shelters Loanda 

 harbor, and, on refusing to continue payment, the King of Congo 

 gave over the island to the Portuguese, and thus their dominion 

 commenced in this quarter. 



There is not much knowledge of the Christian religion in either 

 Congo or Angola, yet it is looked upon with a certain degree of fa- 

 vor. The prevalence of fever is probably the reason why no priest 

 occupies a post in any part of the interior. They come on tours 

 of visitation like that mentioned, and it is said that no expense is 

 incurred, for all the people are ready not only to pay for their 

 services, but also to furnish every article in their power gratui- 

 tously. In view of the desolate condition of this fine missionary 

 field, it is more than probable that the presence of a few Protest- 

 ants would soon provoke the priests, if not to love, to good works. 



