394 ST. PAUL DE LOANDA. Chap. XX. 



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 esta- 

 blishment of schools, winch, though formed more on the monastic 

 principle than Protestants might approve, will no doubt be a 

 blessing. 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 inha- 

 bitants, most of whom are people of colour.* 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 witliin 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 com- 

 modious structures ; but nearly all the houses of the native inha- 

 bitants 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 visiting the port, it must be considered the fault of the 

 system, and not of the men. 



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

 which is inhabited by about 1300 souls, upwards 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 col- 

 lection 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 0000 blacks, more than 5000 of whom are slaves. 



