with his wings spread of pure Gold This structure was very beautiful being adorned on all sides with carved Images its angles plaited with pure Gold and the roof of it intimating the Heaven with Sun Moon and Stars There were fifty Persons all Gentlemen belonging to the Emperours clothed with long white Robes and Wax Head-pieces that carried this ambulatory Pallace Forty Gentlemen antickly dressed although armed with Europian Head-pieces and Pikes gilded at the ends went before the Deyro and these were of his Life-guard One of his principal Lords did immediately follow him armed as the other bearing in his hand a Shield stuck full of Arrows then came forty great Quirosols all covered with fine white linnen and belonging to the aforesaid Guards These were again followed by thirteen great Wax Chests carried by the Palanquyn Porters And lastly the whole procession was closed with four hundred persons all in white vestments marching six in a ranke in very good order The Deyro and his Traine were no sooner past but the evening came on and an innumerable company of people of all sorts the Stages and Houses which had been filled with Spectators had disgorged their burthens in the Streets so that the multitude was so immensly great that very many disorders happened as cutting of purses stealing murthering and robbing each other very many were stifled in the crouds and such as but once fell were sure never to rise being troden to death The noise all night was so great as if the City had been in an uproar and the insolencies grew to that heighth that many persons of quality who could not get out of the throng or were retiring to their houses were set upon and very many of them spoiled and murthered among others the Lord of Firandos Secretary saw his Servant robbed and a rich Cabinet of his taken from him before his own face whilest he himselfe had much ado to defend himself from the violence of these assaulters We were forced with our Servants to quit our stage and put our selves into the crowd because of the night and the danger to continue where we were which we durst not do without running the hazzard of being murthered the preass was so great that we were borne up by the people most of our way being but seldom able to put a foot upon the ground yet at length by Gods great blessing we got all without any considerable loss safely to our lodgings The Deyro and his Wives were lodged three daies and three nights in the Emperors Palace being served by their Majesties and their Brothers and the greatest Princes of their Court every meale consisting of one hundred and forty services This feasting being done the young Emperour gave the Deyro these following presents Three thousand Boates of Silver each of four Tayls and three Marses Two rich Sables Two hundred Iapan Gowns Three hundred pieces of wrought Sattin Twenty picols of raw Silk One great piece of Calombacq Five great Silver pots full of Musk. And ten beautiful Horses with their accoutrements The old Emperour gave him Two hundred pieces of Gold each worth fifty four Silver ones One hundred Indian gowns richly wrought Two great Silver pots full of Musk. Five Catti Calombacq Two hundred pieces of red Silk Five Silver pots full of Amber Greece And five brave Horses with their accoutrements His Secretary had given him Three hundred Boats of Silver equal with the other in worth And twenty Indian Gowns A Description of the Government Might Religion Customes Traffick and other remarkable Affairs in the Kingdom of SIAM Written in the Yeare 1636. by Joost Schouten Directour of the East-India-Company in that Countrey SIAM is a famous and potent Kingdom scituate upon the continent of Asia eighteen degrees Northern Latitude where it bordereth upon the Countries of Pegu and Ava twelve degrees it extendeth it selfe Westward to the Bengasche sea of Martavan to seven degrees where it borders upon the Kingdoms of Pay tany and Queda Southward from the Bengasche to the Patanys Ocean this Coast turns Northward to thirteen degrees making with its bowing the Gulf of Siam thence the Coast runs again Southward to twelve degrees and leaving the Sea terminates Eastward upon the Desart of Cambodia and the Kingdoms of Iangonia Tangou and Langjang to eighteen degrees even to Ava and Pegu so that the form of this Land is like an halfe Moon and containeth in its circuit four hundred and fifty Dutch miles one Dutch mile makes six English This Country which is in many places mountainous woody and moorish especially towards the Sea although for the most part even and clay and is likewise full of all sorts of Beasts and Fowls and Rivers replenished with abundance of Fish hath where it bordereth upon the Benga and Siams Seas many Islands Bays Havens and Rivers most commodious for the receipt of great and small Vessels I shall not particularize all only mention the chief River as the most frequented Haven of the whole Kingdom This River called by the name of Menam or the Mother of Waters is great wide and very long its course being not known unto them It passeth from the North Southward very swiftly through the Land of Ava and Pegu and several Provinces of Siam until that it discharge it self by three mouthes into the Sea of Siam it partaketh of the nature of those famous Rivers Ganges and Nilus flowing once a year so high that it covereth most part of the Countrey making it incredibly fruitful and destroying by this innundation which continueth four or five moneths all obnoxious vermin and creatures The greatest mouth of this River is that which lies most Eastward thirteen degrees and a half Northern latitude and in the middle of the inlet there is a great flat or sand a mile long that crosses the entry of the River five or six foot deep at low water but at heighth is fifteen or sixteen and in the Winter moneths when the the floods are great there is ordinarily seventeen or eighteen foot and more great Ships that go deep are forced to anker at four five or six fathoms water without this banck the ground being clay and good but those that pass this flat at high water enter the River without any more danger of runing on ground till they come to the Town of Banckock six Dutch miles upwards then the River grows narrower and more shallow Ships drawing eleven or twelve foot water being scarceable to mount to the City of India where they are sometimes forced to stay till the moneths of September October and November for water to return The Country is generally well peopled especially the lower part of it being full of Villages and Towns the principal whereof are Iudica Picelouck Sourckelouk Capheng Soutcethay Kephinpet Conseywan Pytsyay Pitsidi Lydure Tenou Mormelon Martenayo Lygor Bordelong Tannassary Banckock Pypry Rapry Mergy and several other all which are governments and heads of Provinces besides these there are many Cities and Burroughs full
being the least one and one sixth of a Tayle Their Silver Money is of the Alloy of Dollers cast into long figures of no certain weight but by guess they put so many of these together as weigh fifty Tayles the which being neatly lapped up in papers are distributed as occasion serveth They have yet a lesser Silver coin like a Bean weighing from one Dutch Shilling to ten and lastly the Casiens already mentioned of differing worth from one Doller to three one fourth the thousand Their Yard the Measure of their Grain and their Weights are equal and not differing at all VVhat Beasts and Fowl they have THis Countrey produceth Horses Bulls for they never geld their Cattle Cows Deare and Swine both wilde and tame in great abundance There are likewise plenty of Bears Dogs Cats and the like there is no end of their Fowl especially Swans Geese Ducks Herns Eagles Hawks Pheasants Pigeons Snipes Quails Partridges and all manner of lesser Birds VVhat Medicinal VVaters THey have several Fountains and Springs of hot Medicinal Waters proper for the curing of many Diseases and succesfully used for that purpose some are Sulphurous some taste of Copper others Iron Tin Allom and the like Mettals and Minerals partaking of the qualities of those they pass by I have seen of these Springs one whereof being Tinish burst out of a hollow in the side of a Mountain some ten foot in the round this â—ole was by reason of its depth very obscure within its Orifice or Mouth being strangely beset with sharp Stones not much unlike the short teeth of an Elephant or those which Painters appropriate to Divels The Water flows continually out of this Cavern in a great quantity and is not hot but a man may sit in without disturbance I have seen another at the foot of a Mountain near the Sea which rendered its Water but at times ordinarily twice in twenty four hours but this flowing did not continue above an hour when the winde blows East and stifly it flows thrice and sometimes four times in a day and night This Water rises out of a stony Pit being covered with huge massie Stones of very great weight when the time of flowing comes it bursts out of the earth in so great a quantity and with such a forceable winde that those great Stones are violently moved and shaken the streams gushing and spouting three or four fathoms high with so dreadful a noise that it equals that of a Cannon or the falls of the greatest Rivers This Water is so very hot that it is impossible to boyl ordinary Water to its height it singes where it falls and left to its self continues hot thrice longer then any other This Well is surrounded with a Wall for fear of harm little Conduits being made to convey its Streams to the neighbouring houses where it is used by way of bath for the curing of all distempers and maladies How the Kings Princes and Peers of the Kingdom receive Audience of his Imperial Majesty and what train they must have THe solemn and great feasts of this People are manifold the first and greatest is New-Years-Day then the second and third Day of the third Moneth the third and fifth Day of the fifth Moneth the fourth and seventh Day of the seventh Moneth and the fifth and ninth Day of the ninth Moneth Besides these his Majesty gives publick Audience twice every Moneth at new and full Moon to all his Kings Princes Lords and Gentry who according to their qualities and orders do homage and reverence to him The train and attendance of these Grandees are appointed the greatest of them may not exceed an hundred followers the lesser being also stinted and proportioned according to their revenues Some of these Princes have indeed four or five thousand as well Men as Women in their services but these they keep in their Palaces and may not enter the first ring of the Castle nor into the City with them Now such as are permitted to come into these two places with an hundred Servants may not enter the second ring of the Castle with more then twenty Attendants neither may they be seen there on horse-back it being the dwellings of the Princes of the blood and the Councellours the great ones are carried here in Pallaquins or Sedans others of less quality going on foot which is no difficult thing the waies and streets being finely paved and the middle of them set with great flat free-stones which are kept extraordinary neat and clean But no Man whosoever is suffered to enter the third ring of the Castle where the Emperours Palace is but on foot and only accompanied with two Servants and a Boy to carry his Shoes they of the second rank are allowed but one Servant and a Shoe-carrier and those of the last rank only a Shoe-carrier There never happens any the least disorder running playing bawling or confusion among the people at these shows every one continuing in a serious and silent posture as if they were in the Emperours presence Every one in this Procession marches in his order and rank so that there is not the least stir even amongst the Servants The Souldiers stand in the Galleries we formerly mentioned and certain sworn Commissioners go to and fro to observe both them and all others so that the least stir and noise is capital This strictness is not burthensome but grown so familiar by custom that the least irregularity or tumult is not heard of The same order is observed in all the Towns of the Countrey the streets being all uniform each end of each of them being shut with Barrocadoes in the night and kept with watches so that no body is suffered to go out without a Ticket from the chief Magistrate which is delivered to the Magistrate of the street for the conveniency of those who need them to fetch a Midwife Physitian or some near Friend in case of necessity the Barrocadoes are opened to such messengers as these and none else so that they never have any tumults in their streets roberies murthers house-breakings or any such unwarrantable disorders Their Language manner of VVritings and Reckonings and how far they transmit their History to posterity THe Chineses Iapanners Corees and Torquains have their distinct Languages wholly strange to each other neither have their Characters any resemblance and yet they have another fashion of Letter common and understood by the Studious and Learned of these four Nations in this their Sciences Wisdom are written although the Contents and Characters be general understood and read by each in his own Tongue They write with Pencils and ready enough most of their Errands are done by Letters which by reason of their quickness in dispatch is no let to them and the surer way A man that can contract much matter into few lines and intelligible which is that which they all practice is greatly esteemed amongst them for such they imploy to write their Letters Petitions and
wherein the Imperial Citie and Pallace of Iedo are scituated 27 daies North-East wards before they could reach the utmost point of the land of Sungaer bordering upon the Sea being come thither they passed over an Istmus of thirty three English miles broad leading into the CouÌ„try of Iezzo abounding in skins furrs of price This territorie is very great mountainous but litle inhabited The Iappaners attempted its discovery severall times but in vaine for though they entred to fro far into the Countrey yet they could never find its end nor any certainty coÌ„cerning it their provisions ordinarily failing them which inforced their fruitlesse returnes The discoverers reports of these were soe imperfect that his Majestie dispaired of any further Satisfaction the countrey being presented as desolate and unpassable though in some place inhabited with a people all over hairy wearing their Beards long like the Chinesses brutish though otherwise well shaped To consider therefore the uncertianty whether this Countrey be an Island or no wee may observe that the passage betvveene Sungaer and Iezzo is no running water but an Inlet or long Istmus of the Sea it selfe 120 English Miles long extending it selfe betvvixt Iezzo and Iapan where it bounds upon vast mountaines and deserts about the Province of Ochio so that that way being vvholly unpassable by land travellers are forced to ferry over the aforesaid Isthmus from Sungaer to Iezzo in Barkes and such shipping as they have The tvvo great Islands of Chirkock and Saykock are governed by Kings and Lords that share vvith them in the Magistracie Chirkock hath one King and three Lords Saykock being the bigger of the tvvo hath more Governours but both are accounted Provinces of this great Empire though least in extent of those whereof it is composed How many Provinces it contaynes THat great Territory which we call Iapan the inhabitants Nippon borders upon those afore mentioned Islands and strecheth to the unknovvne Countrey of Iezzo is divided into five Provinces to wit Iam Aystero Ietsengo Ietsesen Quanto Ochio the which with the Islands of Saykock Chirkock make seaven in all whose Dominions Cities and Castles are subdivided under severall Kings and Lords as the follovving specification of the Revenue of the vvhole land aboundantly shevveth An Extract of the Sealed accompts and specification of the Revenue Excepting the Emperours of the Kings Princes Dukes and Lords of Japan together vvith the names of their Countreys and Castles according to the Japans accompt in Cockyens each Cockyen being ten Carolus Guilders vvich is some Tvventy Shillings Sterling CAngano Tsiunangon King of Canga Geâ—tichu Natta hath his Residence in the Castle of Canga his Revenues amounts to 1190000. â—â—rngano Daynangon King of Surngo Toto and Mitaunca dwells in the Castle Faytâ—iâ—s hath in Revenue 700000 Ouvvarino Daynangou King of Ovvary and Mimo dwells in the Castle of Mangay and hath 700000 Sendaino Thiunangon King of Massamne and Ochio lives in the invinsible Castle of Senday and hath 640000 Satsumanon Thiunangon King of Satsumae Ossimus Fiungo and Quchio lives in Kaâ—gasima and hath 600000 Rinocaouny Daynangon King of Kimo and Ishe lives in the Castle of Wake Iamma and hath 550000 Catto Fingonocamy King of Tingo lives in the Castle of Koumamâ—tte and hath 554000 Matsendeyro Iemenofiâ— King of Tsunkisâ—n and Faccatia dwells in Foucosa and hath 510000 Matsendayro Ionocany King of the Great Province of Ietchesen lives at Ocede and hath 511100 Calto S. Kibo King of Osio dwells in the Castle of Aâ—s and hath in Revenue 430000 Assaino Taysima King of Bingo dwells in the Castle of Oky and hath 420000 Matsendeyro Nangato King of Soua dwells in the Castle of Fangy and hath 370000 Mittono Thionangon King of Fitaytâ— dwells in the Castle of Mit. and hath 360000 Nahissima Simano King of Thisien dwells in the Castle of Logtois and hath 360000 Matsendeyro Sentairo King of Ianabasoky dwells in the Castle of Tackaham hath 360000 Tâ—do Isumy King of Ianga Iche dwells in the Castle of Son hath 320000 Matsendeyro Lonuey King of Bissen dwells at Ossaiamma hath 310000 Inno Cammon the bravest of the Princes King of Totomy dwells in Savaiamma hath 300000. Fosso Covva Ietchin King of Boytes lives at Cokera and hath 300000. Oyesungi Daynsio King of Iotsengo dwells in the Castle of Gunisauvva and hath 300000. Matsendeyro Denrio King of the Province of Ietsengo lives at Formando and hath 300000. Matsendeyro Auvva Duke of Auvva dwells in the Castle Incts and hath 250000. Matsendeyro Ietchigonacamâ—â— Duke of the land of Conge dwells at Takato and hath 250000. Matsendeyro Tsiusio Duke of Ioo dwells at Mats Iamma and hath 250000. Ariama Grimba Duke of Tsirkingo dwells at Courme hath 240000. Morimo Imasack Prince of Imasaka dwells at Tsiamma and hath 200000. Tory Inganocanij Prince of Sevvano dwells at Iummengatta hath 200000. Matsendeyro Tosa Prince of Tosnacorij dwells at Tocosiamma hath 200000. Satake Okion Prince of Wano dwells at Akita and hath 200000. Matsendevro Simo Sautamy Prince of Simosa dwells at Tatebays and hath 200000. Forriwo Iamaissiro Prince of Insâ—â—o dwells at Masdaytâ— and hath 200000. Ikouma Ikinocanij Prince of Sanike dwells at Couham and hath 180000. Forivvo Iamassiro Prince of Insimo dwells at Masdayts and hath 180000. Fonda Kayokamij Knight and Lord of Faryma dwells in Tayeno and hath 150000. Sackey Counay Knight Lord of the great Province of Wano dwells at Fakfio hath 150000. Tara sanvva Simado Knight and Lord of Fisen dwells in Lataâ—s and hath 120000. Kiongock vvakasa Knight and Lord of Wakasa dwells in Osamma and hath 120000. Fory Tango Knight and Lord of â—etchesen dwells at Kavvantisma and hath 120000. Minsio Fiongo Knight and Lord in Bingo dwells at Fâ—uâ—ke Iamma hath 120000. Sackopharra Eskibon Knight and Lord of Kooske dwells in the Castle of Tattays hath 120000. Matsendeyrâ— Tavvayts Governor of the Emperors Castle in Quana hath 110000. Oeckendyero Imysacka Knight and Lord of Simotske dwells in Oâ—tsnomio and hath 110000. Sannada Iut Knight and Lord of Sinano dwells at Koske and hath 110000. Taysibanna Finda Knight and Lord of Sickingo dwells in Imangonvva and hath 110000. Ongasaura Oucken Knight and Lord of Farima dwells at Kays and hath 100000. Indatiji Voutumij Knight and Lord of Gyo dwells in Itasima and hath 100000. Nambon Sinano Knight and Lord in the great Province of Ochio dwells at Mortiamma and hath 100000. Niwa Groysemon Knight and Lord in the great Province of Ochio dwells at Sirakovva and hath 100000. Abeno Bitchion Gouernor of the Emperors Castle Ivvatsuky in the Countrey of Moysays hath 80000. Kiongock Oenieme Knight and Lord of Tanga dwells in Tanabe and hath 70000. Makino Surnga Lord in Ietchingo dwells at Wangerecka and hath 70000. Nackangonvva Nysien Lord in Bongâ— lives in the Citie of Nangoun and hath 70000. Matsendayrâ— Comba Lord in Sinano dwells in Matsmoâ—â— hath 70000. Nayâ—â—o Samma Lord in Fitayts dwells in the Citie of
conversation with a certain Gentleman who was likewise condemned to die and his belly cut up and that the other two knowing of their companions practices had not discovered them Who ever findes his Wife in a lockt or shut chamber with another man may lawfully kill them both the which though very rarely hath indeed happened If the Husband be absent then his Father Brother Son or next of kin nay a Servant may do it so that Adultery is seldom or never heard of amongst them A certain Gentleman being jealous of his Wife pretended a journey from home but returning unexpectedly back found another Man with his Wife in the chamber transported with jealousie and revenge he instantly kills the amased Gallant and binding his Wife to a ladder let her stand there thus chained all night Next morning he sent to invite all his and her kindred Men and Women to dinner which however contrary to their customs each sex feasting and eating alwaies apart was through his importunity assented unto The Women who sat in a chamber by themselves ignorant of what had happened enquired often for the Lady of the house to which her Husband made answer that she was busie in ordering their entertainment she would wait upon them immediatly The Guests being all sat Men and Women together and dinner half done the Husband went and cut off the privities of his slain Rival and putting them into a covered Box of Lack or Wax deckt with flowers unbound his Wife and clothing her in a winding sheet with her hair loose and hanging over her shoulders gave it her she not knowing what was in it adding Go and carry it to our Friends at dinner and try whether for their sakes I may not pardon you also The poor Woman half dead and distracted with fear did as her Husband commanded her and entering in this dreadful posture fell on her knees before the company and opened the Box at sight whereof she sunk down in a swound and being close followed by her Husband had her head immediatly struck off by him at which horrid sight the afrighted Guests ran all out of the house Those faults which are accounted criminal amongst them are the breaking of the Emperours commands and orders Peculation or robbing his Majesties Revenues false coyning burning of houses rapes and the ill governing of those in Authority he that is guilty of any of these crimes is punished in his person and posterity if it be a Woman that hath offended she suffers alone nor shall she die for anothers sin only be given away or sold Their punishments are rosting burning crucifying both waies drawing with four Bulls and boyling in Oyl and Water A man who was to deliver Wood and Stone to his Majesties Factours had corrupted some Souldiers and others appointed for the service this being discovered the Overseers were ordered to cut up their bellies but the Marchant was crucified with his heels upward This man being a man of parts was in good esteem with the Councellors and great ones at Court and however it be that it is not lawful to intercede for a criminal yet the aforesaid Grandees out of pity and affection to the Delinquent having consulted together adventured to supplicate his Majesty in his behalf whereupon they received this following answer I have understood your desires with wonder but that which troubles me most is that the unreasonableness of the demands obliges me to suspect your judgements shall not the evil doer die whence then proceedeth this your request or are your hearts likewise corrupted with gifts and gold change your purposes and let justice have her course and then if any amongst you desire riches let them go to my Treasure and satisfie themselves go I give you full liberty to do it This reply did so startle the Petitioners that they retired not daring to make any further instance or speak one word more They have a peculiar method in punishing of crimes which I will also relate It happened as it did in my time that a Gentleman appointed Governour of a Lordship near the imperial City of Jedo had forced his Tributaries to pay more then they were obliged to by their ordinary Tax and Contributions with which surplus he had Lorded it for some time but this Exaction continuing the Inhabitants supplicated his Majesty for relief whereupon the Gentleman together with his whole race were ordered to cut up their bellies The said Governour had a Brother in the service of the King of Fingo two hundred and forty Dutch miles Westward from Jedo an Uncle at Satsuma twenty miles further a Son in the service of King Kinocoumy another Son in the service of the King of Massamme an hundred and ten miles Eastward a third Son with the Governour of the Imperial Castle of Inquano with two Brothers more that were Souldiers in his Majesties Guards at Jedo his youngest Son was upon extraordinary sollicitations bestowed upon a Marchants Daughter who was an only Child and very rich All these Persons however East and West distant from each other died in one day and on the same hour for Posts were sent to all places where these unhappy men did live with orders to the Governours that they should cause them upon the eighth day of the eighth Moneth the day limited for their execution when the Sun was in the South to cut up their bellies according to the usual manner which was exactly performed The aforesaid Marchant well known to our Society dwelt at Osaua but died for grief and his Daughter unwilling to survive her Husband would if she had not been prevented have killed her self yet she could not be hindred to destroy that life which was but loathsome to her after so dear a loss for she abstained wholly from eating and expired concluding this fatal Tragedy with her own the eleventh day after The People of this Nation especially the Women die with strange constancy and assurance without any the least emotion of sorrow or weakness Lyes are likewise punished with death especially if told to Magistrates or Lords neither will any Master pardon that crime in his Servant These aforesaid manners of putting to death belong to the Gentry the Souldiers Marchants Citizens and Peasants but the Kings and transgressing Lords are otherwise punished There is a little Island three miles in compass and distant forty two miles from Jedo called Faitsnichina so still and environed with rocks and precipices that no ships of burthen can approach it it was at first attempted in very calm weather by certain desperate fellows who climbing up those rocks made a shift to get on the tops of them and having pulled up with ropes materials and necessary instruments for their purpose fastned beams and strong posts in the rocks in such wise that by the help of pullies and ropes and strong hanging nets they can winde the boats up some fathoms out of the water and so secure them against the tossing of the Sea whose least agitation
upon their Feasts and Holy daies These are prohibited the natural use of Women upon pain of being burned but they may alwaies and at pleasure upon declaration of their frailty or weakness quit their frocks and betake themselves to another life which happens often amongst them They have their morning and evening Song Readings and other Services celebrated in their Cloysters every day and frequented by their society They live upon the Alms and bounty of the King and great Ones as also on the fruit which their Church Lands bring forth but principally out of the sweet and labours of the Commonalty who unanimously share with them they sending every morning some Priests and Clerks out of their Cloysters with begging bags to receive these donations and charity Besides these Priests there are a sort of old Nuns shorn lodged in Chappels near the greatest Temples who assist very devoutly in all their preachings singings ceremonies and other Church services but all voluntary being tied to no rules or prescriptions These Heathens do generally believe however differing in many particulars that there is one upper God with many lesser Deities in Heaven who created all things that the Souls of Men are immortal and shall be rewarded or punished according to their merits and actions the good dwelling with the God in bliss whilest the wicked are tormented by the Devils that seduced them Their Religion is principally founded upon these points which have been delivered to them in writing many hundred years since and confirmed with the testimony of many holy men whose memory they worship in their Images which they have set up like so many lesser Deities who by their charity to the Church to the poor and to all things that had life they endeavored to merit Heaven and avoid the dreadful punishments of the Devils Those that are religious and superstitious in these buy ordinarily upon Feast daies multitudes of Birds and living Fish bringing them to the Temple and there give them their liberty esteeming it a great sin to kill not onely men but the more rude creatures fancying the souls of deceased persons to be transmigrated into them all other evils which Nature teaches us to be sin they account so too and are much preached against by their Priests The chief Ceremonies of this Idolatry are as we said preaching teaching singing evening and morning Prayers and offering of Sacrifice which is done with torches candles incense spices and flowers at the altars of their images which in their opinion represent the great God the lesser Deities and holy Men whereby they think their wrath is appeased to which end they celebrate with much solemnity at the new full and quarters of the Moon as also several other extraordinary Festivals with a fasting from any thing which hath had life for three moneths together they pray for the sick and also the dead who being first superstitiously shaven anointed charmed and with much ceremony as weeping cutting of the hair of the head by the next friend alms prayers of the Priests musick plays fire-works and other shows according to the quality and ability of the deceased burnt with fire their collected ashes are afterwards anointed and buried near the Temples a Pyramid rich and magnificent being erected over them so that these funerals are extreamly expensive to the survivors as well as honorable for the deceased The Priests carry themselves very moderatly to those of a contrary Religion condemning no opinions but believe that all though of differing tenets living vertuously may be saved all services which are performed with zeal being acceptable to the great God especially theirs they being convinced of its truth and innocency This constancy of theirs makes them not easily to be drawn to any other perswasion which hath been sufficiently attempted by the Portugals whose industrious Priests omitted nothing for their conversion and by the Mohometans who are no lesse zealous in their way though with little or no success by either of them and yet the Christians as also the Mahometans are both permitted the free exercise of their Religions in their Countrey However these Heathen be thus religious yet they fear and serve although contrary to the opinion of most of their Priests the very Devils whom they believe to be the authours and causes of all evil as the Gods are of every thing that is good and vertuous They adore these unclean Spirits in their sicknesses and misfortunes celebrating their feasts with instruments playing and offering attoning sacrifices of fruits and living creatures They are so strangely abominable in their gestures and actions that it is not fit for a Christian either to see or write them thus fondly searching his favour whose indulgences do but plunge them deeper in their unhappy mistakes and errours The people of this Countrey are reasonably well proportioned brown and tawny they are none of the best Souldiers though proud and insolent in their victories they are modest enough in their civil conversation though naturally light fearful incredulous dissimuled deceitful and very lying The men are lazy and slow insomuch that the women with their slaves are forced contrary to the customs of other Nations to labour the earth and do most of their husbands work besides taking care for their families and houses whilest the men follow their pleasure and divertisements abroad They clothe themselves both men women thin according to the hot climat they live in both sexes wear painted petticoats the men covering their upper parts with a short shirt with half-sleeves and the women with a thin cloth both ends hanging over their shoulders to hide their brests They wear for ornaments gold pins in their hair and rings of the same mettal on their fingers This is the ordinary wear high and low being all of a fashion and not distinguishable but by the richness of their vestments and the greatness of their trains which they much glory in The Gentry and Nobles have many slaves attending them when they go abroad some ten twenty thirty or more according to their abilities and greatness and not a Citizen or his Wife stirs in the streets without one or two of these slaves to wait upon them Their houses are builded according to the fashion in India of wood and reeds and covered with Coco leaves or tiles the floors are raised three or four foot high their appartements being commodious though but slenderly furnished only for sleeping and dressing what is necessary for their refection Their diet is but mean as rice fish and herbs they drink water though on Feast daies they indulge more the common people drinking ordinarily Arak or Brandy-Wine They differ very much in their customs about marrying great Persons need nothing but the consent of their Parents or Friends the Priests not intermedling at all the ceremony ending in feasting and rejoycing Husband and Wife may part again at pleasure dealing their goods and children without further circumstance and may re-marry if they think good without