_The strange Discoveries and Observations of the_ Portugals _in_ Africa. {MN} The _Portugals_ on those Parts have the glory, who first coasting along this Western Shoar of _Africa,_ to find passage to the _East-Indies,_ within this hundred and fifty years, even from the Streights of _Gibraltar,_ about the Cape of _Bone Esperance_ to the _Persian_ Gulf, and thence all along the _African_ Coast to the _Moluccas,_ have subjected many great Kingdoms, erected many Common-wealths, built many great and strong Cities; and where is it they have not been by Trade or Force? No not so much as _Cape de Verd,_ and _Sermleone;_ but most Bays or Rivers, where there is any Trade to be had, especially Gold, or conveniency for Refreshment, but they are scattered; living so amongst those Blacks, by time and cunning, they seem to be naturalized amongst them. As for the Isles of the _Canaries,_ they have fair Towns, many Villages, and many thousands of People rich in Commodities. * * * * * {MN}_How the_ Portugals _coasted to the_ East Indies. {MN} _Ordoardo Lopez,_ a noble _Portuguse, Anno Dom._ 1578, imbarking himself for _Congo_ to Trade, where he found such Entertainment, finding the King much oppressed with Enemies, he found means to bring in the _Portugals_ to assist him, whereby he planted there Christian Religion, and spent most of his life to bring those Countries to the Crown of _Portugal,_ which he describeth in this manner. * * * * * {MN} _Or_ Edward. {MN} The Kingdom of _Congo_ is about 600 Miles Diameter any way, the chief City called St. _Savadore,_ seated upon an exceeding high Mountain, 150 Miles from the Sea, very fertile, and Inhabited with more than 100000 Persons, where is an excellent Prospect over all the plain Countries about it, well watered, lying (as it were) in the Center of this Kingdom, over all which the _Portugals_ now command, though but an handful in comparison of _Negroes._ They have Flesh and Fruits very plentiful of divers sorts. * * * * * {MN} _The Kingdom of_ Congo. {MN} This Kingdom is divided into five Provinces, viz. _Bamba, Sundi, Pango, Batta_ and _Pembo;_ but _Bamba_ is the Principal, and can afford 400000 Men of War. Elephants are bred over all those Provinces, and of wonderful greatness; though some report, they cannot kneel, nor lie down, they can do both, and have their Joynts as other Creatures for use: With their Fore-feet they will leap upon Trees to pull down the Boughs, and are of that strength, they will shake a great _Cocao_ Tree for the Nuts, and pull down a good Tree with their Tusks, to get the Leaves to eat, as well as Sedge and long Grass, _Cocao_ Nuts and Berries, &c. which with their Trunk they put in their Mouth, and chew it with their smaller Teeth; in most of those Provinces, are many rich Mines, but the _Negroes_ opposed the _Portugueses_ for working in them.