changes, which is the most favorable for Europeans, is
the most unhealthy for the native population; and this is by no means
a climate in which either natives or Europeans can indulge in
irregularities with impunity.

Owing to the weakness of the men who had been sick, we were able to
march but short distances. Three hours and a half brought us to the
banks of the Caloi, a small stream which flows into the Senza. This
is one of the parts of the country reputed to yield petroleum, but the
geological formation, being mica schist, dipping toward the eastward,
did not promise much for our finding it. Our hospitable friend, Mr.
Mellot, accompanied us to another little river, called the Quango, where
I saw two fine boys, the sons of the sub-commandant, Mr. Feltao, who,
though only from six to eight years old, were subject to fever. We then
passed on in the bright sunlight, the whole country looking so fresh and
green after the rains, and every thing so cheering, one could not but
wonder to find it so feverish.

We found, on reaching Ambaca, that the gallant old soldier, Laurence
Jose Marquis, had, since our passing Icollo i Bengo, been promoted,
on account of his stern integrity, to the government of this important
district. The office of commandant is much coveted by the officers
of the line who come to Angola, not so much for the salary as for the
perquisites, which, when managed skillfully, in the course of a few
years make one rich. An idea may be formed of the conduct of some of
these officials from the following extract from the Boletin of Loanda of
the 28th of October, 1854:

"The acting governor-general of the province of Angola and its
dependencies determines as follows:

"Having instituted an investigation (Syndecancia) against the commandant
of the fort of----, a captain of the army of Portugal in commission in
this province,----, on account of numerous complaints, which have come
before this government, of violences and extortions practiced by the
said commandant, and those complaints appearing by the result of the
investigation to be well founded, it will be convenient to exonerate the
captain referred to from the command of the fort of----, to which he had
been nominated by the portfolio of this general government, No. 41, of
27th December of the past year; and if not otherwise determined, the
same official shall be judged by a council of war for the criminal acts
which are to him attributed."

Even this p