ep a continual watch over
their property, for the land is full of robbers. None can travel without
an armed retinue. Thus, this people, on which their neighbors look with
longing eyes, should deserve pity rather than excite envy. Fear,
mistrust and jealousy rage in all hearts: each regards his neighbor as
an enemy. Sorrows and terrors, sleepless nights, pale faces and
trembling hands are the fruits of that very wealth, which their
neighbors look upon as the greatest good.

My wanderings through Kimal were the most unpleasant and dangerous in
all my experience. My course was towards the east. I journeyed among
many people, who were generally polite and social, but whose customs
were not singular enough to merit particular attention. I had much cause
to wonder, when I came among the Quambojas, in whom nature was entirely
perverted. The older these people grow, the more lustful they become.
Rashness, lasciviousness and roguery increase with years. None are
suffered to hold offices after the fortieth year. At this age, the
wildness and moral insensibility of boyhood begins; the sports of
childhood, only, are tolerated. The tree becomes a minor, and is placed
under the guardianship of his younger relations.

I did not think it advisable to remain long in Quamboja, where in a few
years, I should be sentenced to become a child again.

I witnessed a perversion of a different kind in Kokleku. In the former
province, nature is the agent of this perversion; here the law is the
agent. The Koklekuans are juniper trees.

The males alone cook and perform all domestic duties. In time of war,
they serve in the army, but always in the ranks. To the females, are
entrusted all civil, divine and military offices. The females reason
thus: The males are endowed with greater bodily strength, and greater
powers of endurance; therefore, it is clear that nature intended them to
do all the work. But this will keep them so busy, that they will not
have time to think. Moreover, as continual physical labor degrades the
mind, if they should presume to think, their thoughts would be puerile,
and practically useless. Therefore, it is plain, that to the females
belongs the direction of affairs. The lady of the house may be found in
the study with books and papers about her, while the master is in the
kitchen cooking and washing.

I saw many mournful effects of this inconsistent custom.

In other places, females are to be found, who bring their chas