Africans Natural Qualities, and Capacity for Civilization — Commercial Intercourse Practicable — Astley’s Voyages, Vol. Iii
Bosman.—Whidah.—All who have seen it allow it to be one of the most delightful countries of the world.
The number and variety of tall, beautiful, shady trees; the verdant fields, every where cultivated, and only divided by those groves, or in some places by a small footpath; together with the innumerable little agreeable villages.
The farther you go from it (the ocean) the more beautiful and populous you find the country; so that it resembles the Elysian fields.
There is also a weekly market in the province of Aplogua, which is so resorted to, that there are usually five or six thousand merchants.—(p. 11.)
Ogilby.—Kingdom of Loango.—There are many handicrafts among them, as weavers, smiths, cap-makers, bead-makers, potters, carpenters, vintners, fishermen, canoe-makers, besides merchants and other traders, (p. 221.)
There are whole mountains of porphyry, jasper, and marble, of divers colours, which in Rome are called marbles of Numidia, Africa, and Ethiopia; certain pillars whereof may be seen in the palace of Pope Gregory. (p. 299.)