THE JEWS OF ANGOLA 411 



swam along with the cattle, and forced them to go on by 

 dashing water at their heads. The difference between 

 my men and those of the native traders who accompanied 

 us, was never more apparent than now ; for while my 

 men felt an interest in everything we possessed in common, 

 theirs were rather glad when the oxen refused to cross, 

 for, being obliged to slaughter them on such occasions, the 

 loss to their masters was a welcome feast to themselves. 



On the eastern side of the Quango we passed on, without 

 visiting our friend of the conical head-dress, to the resi- 

 dence of some Ambakistas who had crossed the river in 

 order to secure the first chances of trade in wax. I have 

 before remarked on the knowledge of reading and writing 

 that these Ambakistas possess ; they are famed for their 

 love of all sorts of learning within their reach, a knowledge 

 of the history of Portugal, Portuguese law, &c, &c. They 

 are remarkably keen in trade, and are sometimes called 

 the Jews of Angola. They are employed as clerks and 

 writers, their feminine delicacy of constitution enabling 

 them to write a fine lady's hand, a kind of writing much 

 esteemed amongst the Portuguese. They are not physi- 

 cally equal to the European Portuguese, but possess 

 considerable ability ; and it is said that half-castes, in 

 the course of a few generations, return to the black colour 

 of the maternal ancestor. The black population of Angola 

 has become much deteriorated. They are not so strongly 

 formed as the independent tribes. A large quantity of 

 aguardente, an inferior kind of spirit, is imported into the 

 country, which is most injurious in its effects. We saw 

 many parties carrying casks of this baneful liquor to the 

 independent chiefs beyond ; and were informed that it 

 is difficult for any trader to convey it far, carriers being 

 in the habit of helping themselves by means of a straw, 

 and then injecting an equal amount of water, when near 

 the point of delivery. To prevent this, it is common to 

 see large demijohns with padlocks on the corks. These 

 are frequently stolen. In fact, the carriers are much 

 addicted to both lying and thieving, as might be expected 

 from the lowest class of a people, on whom the debasing 

 slave system has acted for two centuries. 



The Bashinje, in whose country we now are, seem to 

 possess more of the low negro character and physiognomy, 

 than either the Balonda or Basongo ; their colour is 

 generally dirty black, foreheads low and compressed, 



