Chap. XXL 
GEADATIONS OF SOCIETY. 
411 
viewing the present fruits of former missions, it is impossible not 
to feel assured that, if the Jesuit teacliing has been so permanent, 
that of Protestants, who leave the Bible in the hands of theu’ con¬ 
verts, wiU not be less abiding. The cliief Bango has built a large 
two-story house close by the convent, but superstitious fears pre¬ 
vent him from sleeping in it. The Portuguese take advantage 
of all the gradations into which native society has divided itself. 
This man, for instance, is still a sova or chief, has his councillors, 
and maintains the same state, as when the country was indepen¬ 
dent. When any of his people are guilty of theft, he pays down 
the amount of goods stolen at once, and reimburses himself out oi 
the property of the thief so effectually, as to be benefited by the 
transaction. The people under him are divided into a number of 
classes. There are his councillors, as the highest, who are generally 
head-men of several villages, and the carriers, the lowest free men. 
One class above the last, obtains the privilege of wearing shoes 
from the chief, by paying for it; another, the soldiers or militia, 
pay for the privilege of serving, the advantage being, that they are 
not afterv/ards liable to be made carriers. They are also divided 
into gentlemen and little gentlemen, and, though quite black, speak 
of themselves as white men, and of the others, who may not wear 
shoes, as ‘‘ blacks.” The men of aU these classes trust to them 
wives for food, and spend most of them time in drinking the palm- 
toddy. This toddy is the juice of the palm-oil tree {Elois Gui- 
neensis), wliich, when taj)ped, yields a sweet clear liquid, not at 
all intoxicating while fresh, but, when allowed to stand till the 
afternoon, causes inebriation and many crimes. This toddy, called 
malova, is the bane of the country. Culprits are continually 
brought before the commandants for assaults, committed through 
its influence. Men come up with deep gashes on their heads, and 
one, who had burned his father’s house, I saw making a profound 
bow to Mr. Canto, and volunteering to explain why he did the 
deed. 
There is also a sort of fraternity of freemasons, named Em- 
pacassemos, hito which no one is admitted unless he is an expert 
limiter, and can shoot well with the gun. They are distinguished 
by a fiUet of buffalo-liide around them heads, and are employed 
as messengers in all cases requming express. They are very trust¬ 
worthy, and, when on active service, form the best native troops 
