Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-10-21
ZHINGA.

This was Il negro Queen Of Angola, who flourish
ed in the sixteenth century, Mt II time when the
Portuguese were settling as planters and traders OH
the African coast, and making great encrUachmcut,
upUn the territories Ut the native chiefs. In this
negrCss we have power of mind and strength OF
character developed, as well as acuteness # in
teiiect. The moro lofty and refined Of the mental
qualities were scarcely to be looked for in one
who, although surrounded with the poinp of bar
barrie splendur, was never brought under the intlu-
ence Of true civilization. This African queen rem
dcred herself famous Ivy acts of daring. and IL
carriage and department at all times marked with
n kind Of rude imperial dignity. She was proud,
imperluus, cruel, aud unscrupuluus yet does she
in some way command our respect Tor a certain
magnunimity Of character, which, if she had beer
properly trained and instructcd-C hriStidnized-
would have made her truly great. Sent whcI
about fJrty years of aye, by her brother, the King
Angola, to Loanda, the seat Of the Portuguese vie
oroy, she was received with the hunors duo to heI
rank but the proud ambassadress was offended
on entering the presence chamber, by perccivinl
that the seat prepared for her, although rich witt
gold and velvet, was on the flor, while that of tn,
viccregent, with whom she came to treat, was ec
waited on a magnificent chair of state. Disdain
ing the costly cushion ON account tf its lowly plac,
she gave q sign to one Of her attendant woman
who Immediately knclt down, supporting hersel
on her hands and knees, and supporting, too, dur
ing the whole Of the interview, the weight Of he
linpcflOuS mistress, VINO Cluse tillS strange wa
of indicating her right to lie considered on IL
equality with the representative ot the foreign king
When Zhinga arose from her living throne, an,
was leaving the presence haud-in-hand with TIT
viccroy, he remarked that her attendant still re
manned knccling. i have ne farther use for tn
woman. Ii is not fit that the aml,asSadress of
great king should be twice served with the sam
seat" was the naughty reply.
Ihinga remained IL while at Lnandn, and Their
pretended to embrace Christianity, being baptized
and conforming somewhat to European customs
1t is plain, however, that Of vital Christianity sh
was quite ignorant; Cor shortly after, her brothc
having died, she assembled the throne of Angola
and had her nephew strdngled tu make sure {
the succession. She then lccnme involved in
war with the Portuguese, which, assisted by tn
Dutch and some native chiefs, she carried on ior
time most vigorously. but was eventually defeated
and refusing the prolfered retention OF her thrun
ON condition of paying an annual tribute to the COZ
querors, was obliged to flee for her life, while he
kingdom was given to another. Throwing off he
Christianity as easily as Il loose garment becaus
1t was the religion of her enemies, she rali
'arnund her a band Of faithful negroes. and e
eighteen years did she defy and hurrlss the Purtl
| gucse. demanding The unconditional restoration
her throne. Advancing age, however, brought il
weakness, its regrets, its desires for rest ana recor
; ~ciliatiun, even to this proud woman, whose heal
was soitened by affection, which visited her in tt
l death of II beloved sister. After the storm and III
I w%hirlwind came the still small voice; she VIZ
D haunted by the remorse on account of her anostt
c cy from the Christian faith, and was persuaded |
some Portuguese priests, whom she had taken pri
{ oners, again to declare herself n convert theret
This led to her restoration to power, which on II
;; whole she exercised with discretion, and as muC
u clemency as could lie expected from one used
Il absolute and despOtic sway. She propagated h,
new religion among her subjects, marrying as hi
y been the fashion with Most Christian monarch
some who refused to receive it. She passed Sc
eral salutary laws, one forhiding polygamy, an
one abolishing human sacrifices. Her treaties vii
0 the Portuguese she faithfully observed, hut new,
+ would acknowledge their supremacy; never wouI
9 allow herself to lie called the vaSsal of any foreig
power. She died in 1868, aged eighty-two. havir
up to this period retained her bodily strength an
l mental vigor. In any age or country she mu
} have been considered a woman Of remarkab
powers.-GOd'S Lmnge in ELOay.