22 
The Departure . 
and the Prince’s Island of the ancient Briton. It 
was so called because held by the Mwani-pongo, 
who was to this region what the Mwani-congo was 
farther south. The palace was large but very 
mean, a shell of woven reeds roofed with banana 
leaves : the people, then mere savages, called 
their St. James’ “Goli-patta,” or “Royal House,” in 
imitation of a more civilized race near Cape Lopez. 
The imperial islet is some six miles in circum¬ 
ference ; it was once very well peopled, and here 
ships used to be careened. The northern point 
which starts out to meet it is Ovindo (Oweendo 
of old), alias Red Point, alias “Rodney’s,” remark¬ 
able for its fair savannah, of which feature more 
presently. In mid-stream lies Mbini (Embenee), 
successively Papegay, Parrot—there is one in every 
Europeo-African river—and Adelaide Island. 
Between Ovindo Point, at the northern bend of 
the stream, stand the so-called “English villages,” 
divided from the French by marshy ground 
submerged during heavy rains. The highest up¬ 
stream is Olomi, Otonda-naga, or town of 
“ Cabinda,” a son of the late king. Next comes 
Glass Town, belonging to a dynasty which has 
lasted a century—longer than many of its European 
brethren. In 1787 a large ship-bell was sent as a 
token of regard by a Bristol house, Sydenham and 
Co., to an old, old “ King Glass,” whose descend¬ 
ants still reign. Olomi and Glass Town are pre- 
