368 ST. PAUIi DE I,OANDA. 



During the period of my indisposition, the bishop sent 

 frequently to make inquiries, and as soon as I was able to 

 walk, I went to thank him for his civilities. His whole 

 conversation and conduct showed him to be a man of great 

 benevolence and kindness of heart. Alluding to my being 

 a Protestant, he stated that he was a Catholic from con- 

 viction ; and though sorry to see others, 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 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 inhabitants, 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 workshop ; 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 



* 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 con- 

 tains 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. 



