This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. COUNTRY FROM THE RIVER CONGO TO AMBRIZ--VEGETA-TION--TRADING--CIVILIZATION--COMMERCE--PRODUCTS--IVORY--MUSSERRA--SLEEP DISEASE--SALT--MINERAL PITCH. The southern point, at the entrance of the River Congo, is called Point Padrao, from a marble "Padrao," or monu-ment raised by the Portuguese to commemorate the dis-covery of the River Congo by Diogo Cam, in 1485. At a short distance from it there formerly existed a monastery and missionary establishment dedicated to Santo Antonio. That part of the southern bank of the river opposite Banana is called Santo Antonio to this day, and a few years ago a Portuguese trader opened a house there for the pur-pose of trade; in this he was followed by the agent of a Liverpool firm, but the result, naturally to be foreseen, took place, and both factories were robbed and burnt down by the rascally Mussurongos. Some time before this took place, I was waiting at Banana for some means of convey-ance by sea to Ambriz, but none appearing, I determined, in company with a Brazilian who was also desirous of pro-ceeding to the same place, to cross over to Santo Antonio, and try if we could induce the natives to allow us to pass thence overland to Cabeca da Cobra. This we did, and remained at the trader's house till we got carriers and permission, on making a small present to the king of Santo Antonio town, to pass through. No white man had been allowed to do so for many years. We started one night as soon as the moon rose, about one o'clock, and after travelling a couple of hours, almost the whole time over marshy ground and through a dry wood, which we had to pass on foot, --as it was a fetish wood and it would have been highly unlucky to cross it in our ham VEGETATION. mocks, --we arrived at the town of...