Chap. XXI. THE KING OF CONGO. 427 



kingdom, the fruits of the mission established in former times 

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

 repair 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 Loanda 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 Ins vassal. The Jinga 

 paid him tribute annually in cowries, which were found on the 

 island that shelters Loanda harbour, and, on refusing to continue 

 payment, the King of Congo gave over the island to the Portu- 

 guese, and thus then 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 

 favour. 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, 

 gratuitously. In view of the desolate condition of this fine mis- 

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

 Protestants would soon provoke the priests, if not to love, to good 

 works. 



