Title
A Voyage to the East Indies: Page 67
Description
Goa Bay & forms a semicircle at the northernmost Extremity of which stands Alguarda Fort & at the southernmost the Monastary of Nostra Signiora de la Caba. At the bottom of the Bay begins Goa River It is a Narrow Gut, on one bank of which is a small Fort. This River in its Passage to Goa City which is about seven Miles, forms two other large Bays. The Banks of this River are adorn’d with Houses wch look Nobly at a Distance, but when you come close to them, there is a great falling off. Sailing down the River a Person would suppose Goa to be a most elegant City with magnificent Buildings, but on Landing, nothing is seen but a few ill built, whitewash’d Churches. The Portuguese in this Part of the World, seem to apply themselves to Business, less than any other Part of Mankind. At any Other Settlement on the Coast they are glad to traffick, but here it is the contrary. That they are blind to their own Interest is certain, but whether it proceeds from Ignorance or Principal is a Doubt, but true it is, that the Crown of Portugal is daily enriching itself, whilst Individuals tho high in Office have but one Coat to their Backs. Their Rigour to the Natives is notorious, binding them down to one branch of Religion, whilst all other Powers in India tolerate all Religions. Strangers, find no Entertainment here even for Money; here are no Inns, and no Place to lodge in, except a Dismal Hole given by the Nabob and call’d the english Choultry & even here a Glass of Water is hard to be got. [end page 67]
