0 n the Countries Congo Wnd Loango. ^219 
^xpetlieilt is s6idt)m MSOftM to, espmaliy if Her father be a man 
of consequence ; in that ca^e, recourse is Had to tlie ordeal trial 
^^he is in a manner purchased from her relations, than whose 
consent, no other sanction is retjuisite to constitute the marriage. 
Their approbatidh is el^pressed by acceptance of a present, gehe- 
faffly adequate to her full value were she sold in the market. ■ 
I>ancikg.~N 6 Opportunity is lost of engaging in this favou- 
rite amusement : In good weather, every village sends forth its 
e\^ening band of joyful dancers. The circle being formed, 
a couple step forward and commence the dance, which is carried 
oh With much ariimatioh ; and havihg exhausted ail their agi- 
lity and address, they are relieved by another pair who advance 
from opposite parts of the circle, and this is continued in suc- 
cession, Until the whole group is completely wearied. Their 
various movements and attitudes, grotesque and uncouth as 
they are, harmonize with the wild and plaintive measure of the 
t^iig. K full chorus, accompanied by the notes of a rude hve- 
i^trmged lyre, produces a very pleasing eifect. 
Slaves.— When a ship arriyes after a iorig interval of trade, 
sili weeks generally .elapse before the slaves come down to the 
co'ast. The brokers have to notify her arrival to their respec- 
tive bushmen or iiiland traders, who reside at the great slave 
mart in the interior of the country ; and to whom they must send 
suitable presents previous to any negociation. By all accounts, 
the slaves are so reconciled to their unhappy lot, that they 
evince very little concern at the final separation from their 
friends and country; but this, without any want of natural 
ahection, may be the consequence of living continually under 
the apprehension of such an event;— -nor do the friends on 
their part testify a greater degree of sorrow : this, perhaps, 
partly arises from a consideration of individual safety lo them- 
selves, conjoined with causes unknown to uS. We do not hear 
that the wretched victims are feelingly alive to their lamentable 
situation ; but let us recollect, that fortitude and contempt of 
suffering, are among the greatest virtues of the savage mind. 
Stature.— The inhabitants of these countries^ are of the 
middle stature, and may be reckoned the blackest, as well as 
the most handsome, of the Negro race. To a full chest, and 
well proportioned limbs, we find united, regular features and an 
expressive countenance. 
