Staple of all the Indian
Traffique, it is very populous, and frequented by Merchants of all
Nations. Here we unladed a great part of our Goods, and taking in
others, which caused us to stay there a full Moneth, during which space,
at leisure times I went abroad to take a survey of the City, which I
found to be large and populous, lying for three miles together upon
the Sea-shore. Here is a great many of those persons whom thy call
Brackmans, being their Priests or Teachers whom they much reverence. It
is a custome here for the King to give to some of those Brachmain, the
handelling of his Nuptial Bed; for which cause, not the Kings, but the
Kings sisters sons succeed in the Kingdom, as being more certainly known
to be of the true Royal blood: And these sisters of his choose what
Gentleman they {{28 }} please [83]on whom to bestow their Virginities;
and if they prove not in a certain time to be with child, they betake
themselves to these Brachman Stalions, who never fail of doing their
work.

The people are indifferently civil and ingenious, both men and women
imitate a Majesty in their Train and Apparel, which they sweeten, with
Oyles and Perfumes: adorning themselves with Jewels and other Ornaments
befitting each Rank and Quality of them.

They have many odd Customs amongst them which they observe very
strictly; as first, not knowing their Wives after they have born them
two children: Secondly, not accompanying them, if after five years
cohabition they can raise no issue by them, but taking others in their
rooms: Thirdly, never being rewarded for any Military exploit, unless
they bring with them an enemies Head in their Hand, but that which is
strangest, and indeed most barbarous, is that when any of their friends
falls sick, they will rather chuse to kill him, then that he should be
withered by sickness.

Thus you see there is little employment there for Doctors, when to be
sick, is the next wan for to be slain, or perhaps the people may be of
the mind rather to kill themselves, then to let the Doctors do it.

Having dispatched our business, and sraighted again our Ship, we left
Calecute, and put forth to Sea, and coasted along several of the Islands
belonging to India, at Camboia I met with our old friend Mr. David
Prire, who was overjoyed to see me, to whom I related our Discovery of
the Island of Pines, in the same manner as I have related it to you; he
was then but newly recovered [84]of a Feaver, the Air of