92 DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE* 
Goncobella is a large city, about three miles in 
circumference, situated on the northern bank of 
the Congo. According to the map of D* Anville, 
it is about seventy miles above the cataracts, in a 
north-east direction ; and upwards of four hundred 
from the mouth of the Congo. As the mission to 
Micocco or Anziko, though often projected, was 
never carried into effect, this city remained the ut- 
most limit of European discovery, till the farther 
progress made by the recent expedition. 
The missions which we have now noticed, were 
sent to the northern part of Congo, and to the 
countries situated along the great river, by which 
that country is watered. But some others, which 
were sent into the southern part of the interior, 
may also deserve notice. The most remarkable 
was that dispatched in 1655, at her own request, to 
Zingha, queen of Matamba. * Some account may 
here be necessary of that remarkable personage, and 
of the people over whom she reigned. The Giagas 
are a race painted by travellers in such frightful 
colours, that it is difficult to avoid some suspicion 
of exaggeration, and even of fable. Yet the eye- 
witnesses, who are numerous, agree, without a single 
exception, in the most revolting features of the 
picture. This people seem to have organized into 
a species of religious system, every atrocity of which 
human nature can be conceived capable. As they 
■ ' j ■ — r 
* Labat, IV. i. &c. 
