comes over their left shoulder, girt about with a belt of fine
pack-thread. Their heads are shaved, and they go bare-headed and
carry in their hands a round fan with a wooden handle, which is to
keep the sun off their hands.

[Their Priviledges.] They have great benefit and honour. They
enjoy their own lands without paying scot or lot or any Taxes to the
King. They are honoured in such a measure, that the people, where ever
they go, bow down to them as they do to their Gods, but themselves
bow to none. They have the honour of carrying the Tallipot with the
broad end over their heads foremost; which none but the King does:
Wheresoever they come, they have a mat and a white cloth laid over
upon a stool for them to sit upon; which is also an honour used only
to the King.

[What they are prohibited.] They are debarred from laying their hands
to any manner of work; and may not marry nor touch women, nor eat but
one meal a day, unless it be fruit and rice and water, that they may
eat morning and evening: nor must they drink wine. They will eat any
lawful flesh that is dressed for them, but they will have no hand in
the death of it; as to give order or consent to the killing of it.

They may lay down their order, if they please; which some do, that
they may marry. This is done by pulling off their coat, and flinging
it into a River, and washing themselves head and body, and then they
become like other lay-men.

[When any is religiously disposed, these Priests sent for in great
ceremony.] There is a benefit that accrueth to them, which is, when any
man is minded to provide for his soul, they bring one of these Priests
under a cloth held up by four men, unto his house, with drums and Pipes
and great solemnity which only can be done unto the King besides. Then
they give him great entertainment and bestows gifts on him according
as they are able: which, after he hath tarried a day or more, they
carry for him, and conduct him home with the like solemnities as he
came. But the night that he tarries with them he must sing Bonna, that
is matter concerning their Religion out of a Book made of the leaves
of Tallipot: and then he tells them the meaning of what he sings, it
being in an eloquent style which the Vulgar people do not understand.

[None ever used violence towards them before the present King.] Some of
these Priests, against whom the King took displeasure, were beheaded,
afterwards cast into the River. Which thing caused