and Mr Maxwell respecting the Co7igo and the Niger. Ill 
it seems strange that none of those fanatics had ever followed 
the course of the stream : unless some vigorous Negro power 
bordering on Wangara may have hitherto prevented their en- 
tering South Africa : whilst distance alone would deter the mer- 
chant, by leading him out of the established line of traffic, and 
exposing him to incalculable hardships and expence. Neither 
do they recollect, as he remarks on the 7th query, of any people 
having ever appeared in that part of Africa that could write, ex- 
cept the Portuguese, who have a very large establishment at 
Banza Congo or St Salvador, about 4 days journey, or 100 
miles (as they say) to the S. E. from Embomma ; where they 
have a great many churches and monasteries ; from which place, 
to 14° south, the country is completely under the trammels of 
the Catholic religion ; but they have never made their appear- 
ance at Embomma, or Mambeenda, 50 miles higher up, where 
the natives are all Pagans. Nor did any of them remember to 
have heard that any white person was ever seen there, until Mr 
Maxwell went up. With respect to the 8th query, he skys, 
That there is very little diversity in the language spoken be- 
tween Cape Lopez hi O'* SO' South, and Benguela Nova in 
SO' south, as he could understand a little of it at both these 
extremes. The Loango and Mayumba idioms, however, are 
the most prevalent, and the Congo and Angola differ not so 
much from these, as many of the counties of England do from 
each other. The customary salutations, on meeting are ; one 
kneels on his left knee, and gives the saccula, (a certain clap- 
ping of the hands,) saying, Katto-co-keile,” — How do you 
do to which the other, in the same manner, returns the com- 
pliment, by saying, Keile-ma-botta-moine,'” — Very well, 
thank you. Sir."” They call God, Enzambi Empoongu ; the 
devil, Empollo Enzambi; fire, Embazzu ; lightning, Loosai- 
mo ; thunder, Emvoola boomina ; rain, Emvoola ; a cloud, 
Toota le emvoola ; the rainbow, Chaama ; dew, Blola ; wind, 
Empaimo; a snake, Nyouca; the Boa Constrictor, Bomma; — 
from whence Mr Maxwell supposes Embomma to have got its 
name, as they are very plentiful there ; the alligator, Engando ; 
the hippopotamus, Engoovu ; hunger, Enzalla ; a house, Unzo; 
a town, Bealla ; a city, Banza ; a country, Incee. From what 
country ?— Incec wa tooka From Congo, — Moose Congo,’' 
3 
