394 
ST. PAUL DE LOANDA. 
Chap. XX. 
like myself, following another path, he entertained no uncharitable 
feelings, nor would he ever sanction persecuting measm^es. He 
compared the various sects of Cliristians, in their way to heaven, 
to a number of individuals choosing to pass down the different 
streets of Loanda to one of the churches,—-all would arrive at the 
same point at last. His good influence both in the city and the 
country is universally acknowledged : he was promoting the esta¬ 
blishment of schools, which, though formed more on the monastic 
principle than Protestants might approve, will no doubt be a 
blessing. He was hkewise successfully attempting to abohsh the 
non-marriage custom of the country; and several marriages had 
taken place in Loanda among those who but for his teacliing 
would have been content with concubinage. 
St. Paul de Loanda has been a very considerable city, but is 
now in a state of decay. It contains about twelve thousand inha¬ 
bitants, most of whom are people of colom\* There are various 
evidences of its former mag-nificence, especially two cathedi-als, 
one of which, once a Jesuit college, is now converted into a work¬ 
shop ; and in passing the other we saw mth sorrow a number of 
oxen feeding witliui its stately walls. Tliree forts continue in a 
good state of repab. Many large stone houses are to be found. 
The palace of the governor and government offices are com¬ 
modious structures; but nearly aU the houses of the native uilia- 
bitants are of wattle and daub. Trees are planted all over the 
town for the sake of shade; and the city ]3resents an imposing 
appearance from the sea. It is provided with an effective police ; 
and the custom-house department is extremely well managed. 
AU parties agree in representing the Portuguese authorities * as 
both polite and obliging; and if ever any inconvenience is felt by 
strangers visiting the port, it must be considered the fault of the 
system, and not of the men. 
The harbour is formed by the low sandy island of Loanda, 
which is inhabited by about 1300 souls, upwards of 600 of whom 
are industrious native fishermen, who supply the city with abun- 
* From the census of 1850-51 we find the population of this city arranged 
thus :—830 whites, only 160 of whom are females. This is the largest col¬ 
lection of whites in the country, for Angola itself contains only about 1000 
whites. There are 2400 half-castes in Loanda, and only 120 of them slaves ; 
and there are 9000 blacks, more than 5000 of whom are slaves. 
