STATE OF EDUCATION IN ANGOLA. 449 
that the citadels, and all the arms in Loando, 
are in the hands of convicts, many of whom 
have been transported for life. The officers are 
not supposed to have been guilty of any offence 
against the laws of their country, and probably 
they may have considerable influence with the 
men ; but their testimony even is, that the men 
perform their duty well, and are excellent sol- 
diers. Some ascribe the remarkable change to 
the utter hopelessness of escape, the certainty of 
detection, and punishment of any crime, and 
the fear of being sent to the deadly district of 
St. Josa de Encoge, (something like, but not so 
bad as our Norfolk Island) ; but, however ac- 
counted for, the change is unquesitonable. 
"Another pleasing thing observable in the 
population, is the ability of so many to read 
and write. It is considered a disgrace in Am- 
baca, for a free man of either colour, not to be 
able to do this. This general diffusion of edu- 
cation, is the result of the teaching of the Jesuit 
Missionaries, who were expelled the country, 
by Marquis di Pombal. If the results of their 
teaching have been so permanent, without any- 
thing like a proper supply of books, we may be 
allowed to indulge the hope, that the labours 
of Protestants of all denominations, who en- 
deavour to leave God's Word behind them, will 
be not less abiding. 
2 G 
