Chap. XXI. 
THE KING OF CONGO. 
427 
kingdom, tlie fruits of the mission estabKslied in former times 
at San Salvador, tlie capital. These churches are kept in partial 
repair by the people, who also keep up the ceremonies of the 
Church, pronouncing some gibberish over the dead, in imitation 
of the Latin prayers which they had formerly heard. Many of 
them can read and write. When a King of Congo dies, the body 
is wrapped up in a great many folds of cloth, until a priest can 
come from Loanda to consecrate his successor. The King of 
Congo still retains the title of Lord of Angola, which he had 
when the Jinga, the original possessors of the sod, owed him 
allegiance; and, when he writes to the Governor of Angola, he 
places his own name first, as if addressing liis vassal. The Jinga 
paid him tribute annually in cowries, which were found on the 
island that shelters Loanda harbour, and, on refusing to continue 
payment, the King of Congo gave over the island to the Portu¬ 
guese, and thus their dominion commenced in tins quarter. 
There is not much knowledge of the Christian rehgion in either 
Congo or Angola, yet it is looked upon with a certain degree of 
favour. The prevalence of fever, is probably the reason why no 
priest occupies a post in any part of the interior. They come 
on tours of visitation lilie that mentioned, and it is said that no 
expense is inciuTed, for all the people are ready not only to pay 
for their services, but also to fornish every article in their power, 
gratuitously. In view of the desolate condition of this fine mis¬ 
sionary field, it is more than probable that the presence of a few 
Protestants would soon provoke the priests, if not to love, to good 
works. 
