I Attended The Funeral In The Evening, And Was Struck
By The Custom Of The Country.
A number of slaves preceded us,
and fired off many rounds of gunpowder in front of the body.
When a person of much popularity is buried, all the surrounding chiefs
send deputations to fire over the grave.
On one occasion at Tete, more than
thirty barrels of gunpowder were expended. Early in the morning of the 21st
the slaves of the deceased lady's brother went round the village
making a lamentation, and drums were beaten all day, as they are at such times
among the heathen.
The commandant provided for the journey most abundantly,
and gave orders to Lieutenant Miranda that I should not be allowed
to pay for any thing all the way to the coast, and sent messages
to his friends Senhors Ferrao, Isidore, Asevedo, and Nunes,
to treat me as they would himself. From every one of these gentlemen
I am happy to acknowledge that I received most disinterested kindness,
and I ought to speak well forever of Portuguese hospitality.
I have noted each little act of civility received, because somehow or other
we have come to hold the Portuguese character in rather a low estimation.
This may have arisen partly from the pertinacity with which some of them have
pursued the slave-trade, and partly from the contrast which they now offer
to their illustrious ancestors - the foremost navigators of the world.
If my specification of their kindnesses will tend to engender
a more respectful feeling to the nation, I shall consider myself
well rewarded.
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