an island on the coast of Africa, a few leagues to the south-east of the river Gambia, and separated from the continent only by the channel of the river Geves. In this island the French have a factory, and there is also a fort belonging to the Portuguese, at both of which a great trade is carried on. The island is about 35 or 40 miles in circumference, having an agreeable prospect to the sea, from which it rises by a gentle ascent on every side to an eminence in the centre of the island. There are however a great many hills inferior in height to that in the middle, and separated by beautiful and fertile valleys divided by little rivulets, which at the same time augment the richness and elegance of the scene. So rich is the soil of Bissao, that wheat and maize spring up to the size of Indian corn, or rather resemble a field covered over with reeds or bamboos. The cattle also are of an extraordinary size, and seem to keep pace with the extravagant growth of the corn. Milk and wine are in the greatest abundance; but the island affords neither hogs nor horses. The former are forbid by the natives to be imported; and something in the soil or climate renders it unfit for the increase of the latter, which never thrive here. The dress of the men of all ranks in Bissao is only a skin fixed to the girdle before and behind. The dress of the married woman consists of a cotton petticoat; but virgins go entirely naked, wearing only bracelets of different kinds on their arms and legs. If they are of high quality, their bodies are marked or painted with a variety of hideous forms of snakes and other figures, which, as their colour is jet-black, gives their skins somewhat the appearance of flowered satin. Even the princess royal herself, the eldest daughter of the emperor, is only distinguished from other women by the elegance of those paintings and the richness of her bracelets. One very extraordinary ornament used in this country is a large iron ring with a flat round surface on the outside instead of a stone, upon which the ring changes with a bit of iron, in such a manner as to converse with the greatest facility by means of the different sounds produced; but this kind of language is used only among the polite and the great. All the Bissaons are idolaters, nor has commerce introduced the smallest change in their manners, but their ideas of religion are exceedingly confused. Their chief idol is a little image called China, of which the worshippers give very absurd accounts; but, besides this, every man invents a god for himself: trees are held sacred; and if not adored as gods, are worshipped as the residence of some divinity. The government is despotic, the will of the emperor being a law to his people. Of this we have an instance in Bissao, not to be matched in any other country whatever. This is no other than a present which one subject may make of the house and estate of his neighbour to the emperor; and as it is most commonly his majesty's pleasure to accept of such presents, the proprietor dares not refuse, but immediately sets about building another house, though even this he cannot do without the prince's leave; and if this should not be readily granted, he must live with his family in the open air till permission to build a new house can be obtained.