295 
Maliie, Calicut, Panana, Cranganore, Cochin, Porca, Quilone, 
Anjengo, and Coletchee: in this division, properly termed the 
Malabar coast, the persons, language, religion, and manners of the 
natives, differ very much from those in the northern districts. 
We anchored in the spacious and beautiful harbour of Goa, 
defended by the Alguarda, and other fortresses, surrounded by 
gentle hills and fruitful vales, and embellished by churches, con- 
vents, and villas; whose white fronts were contrasted with the dark 
mango groves and cocoa-nut woods peculiar to that part of India. 
The vessel anchoring off the Alguarda, we sailed up the river, na- 
vigable for large vessels, and covered with barges and gondolas: 
the villas, domes, and spires, on its shady banks produce a fine 
effect. About mid-way the city of Goa suddenly opens on the 
view, founded, like imperial Rome, on many hills; the churches, 
palaces, and public buildings, at that distance, give it a grand 
appearance, but it disappoints on a nearer approach: on landing I 
beheld magnificent structures mouldering into ruin ; the streets were 
faintly traced by the remains of their forsaken mansions, and 
squares and markets, once populous, were now the haunt of ser- 
pents and noxious reptiles: the few human inhabitants were priests, 
monks, half-starved soldiers, and low mechanics. Notwithstanding 
the general decline of Goa, the churches and convents retained 
their grandeur, and were in good repair: the Augustin monastery 
is very handsome, and the church of San Caitan exhibits a beau- 
tiful specimen of Italian architecture. 
The Jesuits’ college, one of the largest and most conspicuous 
edifices in Goa, contained apartments for several hundred of that 
society; after their expulsion, it was inhabited by monks of a 
