kingdoms are called so more by compliment than with any desire to
convey the real meaning that we get when the empire of Germany or
kingdom of Spain is spoken of. The patriarchal government is the most
ancient in Africa. It is true that great kingdoms have risen in
Africa; but they were the result of devastating wars rather than the
creation of political genius or governmental wisdom.

"Pangola is the child or vassal of Mpende. Sandia and Mpende
are the only independent chiefs from Kebrabasa to Zumbo, and
belong to the tribe Manganja. The country north of the
mountains, here in sight from the Zambesi, is called Senga,
and its inhabitants Asenga or Basenga; but all appear to be
of the same family as the rest of the Manganja and Maravi.
Formerly all the Manganja were united under the government
of their great chief, Undi, whose empire extended from Lake
Shirwa to the River Loangwa; but after Undi's death it fell
to pieces, and a large portion of it on the Zambesi was
absorbed by their powerful Southern neighbors, the Bamjai.
This has been the inevitable fate of every African empire
from time immemorial. A chief of more than ordinary ability
arises, and, subduing all his less powerful neighbors,
founds a kingdom, which he governs more or less wisely till
he dies. His successor, not having the talents of the
conqueror, cannot retain the dominion, and some of the abler
under-chiefs set up for themselves; and, in a few years, the
remembrance only of the empire remains. This, which may be
considered as the normal state of African society, gives
rise to frequent and desolating wars, and the people long in
vain for a power able to make all dwell in peace. In this
light a European colony would be considered by the natives
as an inestimable boon to inter-tropical Africa. Thousands
of industrious natives would gladly settle around it, and
engage in that peaceful pursuit of agriculture and trade of
which they are so fond; and, undistracted by wars or rumors
of wars, might listen to the purifying and ennobling truths
of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Manganja on the Zambesi,
like their countrymen on the Shire, are fond of agriculture;
and, in addition to the usual varieties of food, cultivate
tobacco and cotton in quantities more than equal to their
wants. To the que