PORTUGUESE POLICY. 179 



Unseen Being, but as itself possessing the power to which they 

 appeal. Perhaps there is no form of heathen belief so degrad- 

 ing and oppressive as this, none which leaves the worshipper 

 more a prey to his own vicious imagination, or affords such 

 opportunities for the abuses of the priests who minister at the 

 strange altars. 



Dr. Livingstone found many traces of the early Jesuit teach- 

 ing, which inspired him with respect for these men, as having 

 really sought to benefit those whom they taught ; and in many 

 places they are remembered by the natives kindly, while the 

 priests who succeeded them are only referred to bitterly. 



There was nothing seen of the boldness and courage among 

 the natives which frequently excited his admiration for their 

 sable brothers in the distant forests which he had left. The 

 prevailing slavery and military government of the Portuguese 

 have taken away whatever spirit may have distinguished them in 

 former times. The African is generally in great terror of fire- 

 arms, and a dismantled fort with only a useless cannon fills 

 the regions around with awe and will hold entire communities 

 in subjection. 



The country is divided with some regularity by the govern- 

 ment at Loanda, and there are officials known as commanders 

 occupying these several districts, who, having little else to do,- 

 and being poorly paid by their government, have time and 

 temptation to abuse the natives by all sorts of impositions and 

 extortions. These gentlemen generally accumulate large prop- 

 erties and seem to enjoy great serenity in their little tyrannies. 

 These Portuguese authorities manage quite shrewdly to relieve 

 themselves of as much care as possible, and at the same time 

 maintain the real authority over the people, by taking advantage 

 of the gradations into which native society is divided. 



"This man, for instance, is still a sova or chief, has his 

 councillors, and maintains the same state as when the country 

 was independent. When any of his people are guilty of theft, 

 he pays down the amount of goods stolen at once, and reim- 

 burses himself out of the property of the thief so effectually as 

 to be benefited by the transaction. The people under him are 

 divided into a number of classes. There are his councillors, as 

 the highest, who are generally head men of several villages, and 



