efs widows, who employ their
time and earn their livelihood by spinning and weaving. Not less than
a hundred of the king of Katunga's ladies were lodging in the yard
with them. They had all passed the bloom of life, and had lately
arrived with loads of trona and country cloth, which they barter for
salt, and various articles of European manufacture, particularly
beads; with these they return home, and expose them for sale in the
market, and afterwards the profits are taken to their husbands. These
royal ladies are distinguished from their countrywomen only by a
peculiar species of cloth, which is wrapped round their goods, and
which no one dared to imitate on pain of perpetual slavery. This
severe punishment is often inflicted, for, as the king's wives pay no
tribute or turnpike dues whatever, and must besides be entertained by
the chiefs of every town through which they pass, strong inducements
are offered for others to attempt to deceive, by using the forbidden
cloth, and hence examples are necessary. As a contrast to the
afflicted females of Jenna, the wives of the king of Katunga all fell
to crying for joy this evening, on recognizing a few old acquaintance
in the yard, who soon joined them in the melancholy music. It was
highly ridiculous to see them, for after the first burst had
subsided, they began to chat with a garrulity far beyond that of the
most talkative of their European sisters. The conversation lasted
more than an hour, till at last it resolved itself into a violent
quarrel, which lasted during the remainder of the day.

It was now ten o'clock, and the women were still sitting in groups
round the several wood fires. The travellers themselves only occupied
a small verandah, which was simply the projection of the roof of a
thatched hut. Their horses were fastened to wooden stakes in the
centre of the yard; their men were lying round them, warming
themselves at their own fires. Sheep, beautiful sheep with tinkling
bells hung round their necks, were chewing the cud in peace and
happiness. But notwithstanding it was the hour of repose, the tongues
of the female travellers were making a clatter which all the women of
Billingsgate could not rival, and together with the squalling of
brats innumerable, completely spoiled the emotions, which the wild
and pleasing scene around them would otherwise have awakened in their
breasts. The sheep here are regarded with as much partiality, and
treated much in the same man