from thence since which time the French have settled a Factory there One Mr. Petit was Commander of the Vessel he staid but a little while in our Road and sailed directly to Mangalor to load some Rice there Before his departure he assured us That the Sieur de Caron Director General of the French East India Company in the Indies being at his departure ready to sail for Bantam would certainly in a little time pass by our way upon which having prepared every thing for his Reception we placed constantly some Sentinels to observe whether any Ships appeared towards the North but having for some time used our endeavours in vain we began to imagine that we had been mis-informed when one morning there came in sight of us the Ship called the St. Paul which was soon after followed by the Vulture and the St. Francis in the last of which was the Sieur de Caron who was going to settle a French Factory at Bantam not far from Batavia and having taken an exact account of the true State of Affairs at Tilcery he pursued his Voyage to Bantam Prince Onitri having before received intelligence of his arrival came to pay him a visit but he came a little two late the Sieur de Caron who was unwilling to let slip the opportunity of improving the advantage of a fair Gale being already under saâ—â— at his Arrival The Sieur de Caron however had sent his excuses to the Prince with some presents who sent a Messenger after him in a Chaloup who repaid the Complement and regaled him with some refreshments We had for a considerable time before laid a design to settle a French Factory at Sirinpatan called by the Malabars Padenote which being communicated to the Sieur de Caron before his Departure from Tilcery he ordered immediately the Sieur de Flacour to take a Journey thither He chose me for his Companion and notwithstanding the rainy Season which continues for six Months together on the Coast of Malabar resolved to undertake the Journey without any further delay I did all I could to represent to him the inconveniency of travelling at this Season when the Roads by the overflowing of the Rivers were perhaps rendred unpassable desiring him to delay his Journey for some little time but he persisted in his former Resolution telling me That having but five and twenty Leagues to travel we should in all probability find the Roads not so difficult to pass as I imagined CHAP. XLIII Our departure from Tilcery ACcordingly we set out from Tilcery about the middle of June being conducted by some Guides and guarded by several Nahers Our whole Equipage consisted in no more than a Shirt and a pair of Drawers on our Feet we wore a kind of Sandals and to keep off the Rain we were each of us provided with an Umbrello made out of the leaves of Palm-trees The first days Journey proved extreamly troublesome being obliged to march all day long through the Waters that had over flown the Roads which in some places came to our middle so that we were not able to travel above two Leagues the whole day at Night we took up our Lodgings which were sorry enough in a small Market-Town where we dryed our Cloths without much difficulty they being all of Callicoe Thus after a miserable Nights Lodging we continued our Journey the next Morning when we were refreshed with a small interval of fair Weather which however lasted but a few hours As we were marching through the Waters we were extreamly pestered with Horse Leaches which fastned themselves in great numbers to our Legs and fatigued us to that degree that being quite spent by Noon we were forced to take up our Quarters at the Habitations of some Mahometans In the afternoon the Sieur de Flacour paid a visite to the Naher who though a Subject of the King of Cananor was Lord of the place and without whose consent we could not pass which we easily obtained by the means of a present The next day we found the Road some-what better than we had done hitherto but another misfortune abated much of our satisfaction for after we had travelled near four hours we found our selves being misled by the ignorance of our Guides near the same place from whence we set out in the Morning An unseasonable anger would have stood us but in little stead with those who had us at their Mercy and in whom we were obliged to confide as our Conductors so that patience was the best remedy we could prescribe our selves and thus we continued our Journey in hopes of better luck But we found our selves soon deceived in our expectation for we had not travelled far when the Rains began to be more violent than ever besides that we travelled all over stony Grounds full of deep and large Ditches which we were forced to pass over small Planks or pieces of Trees laid a cross Armed with Patience and an unshaken Resolution to overcome all Obstacles we at last came to a Market-Town inhabited by Mahometans situated near a River which runs by Cognaly We were kindly received by the Inhabitants and the great Rains and pass'd fatigues obliged us to rest there for one day But what we had suffered hitherto was all it seems nothing in comparison of what we were likely to undergoe for the future the Dangers and Fatigues which were represented to us by these Mahometans made so lively an impression upon me that I earnestly requested the Sieur de Flacour not to go further and though every one there present was of my Opinion and gave himself fresh assurances of the dangers and troubles he must undergo he stood firm in his resolution to prosecute his Journey in order to dispatch his business before the return of the Sieur de Caron As for my part I being not under any further obligation than to bear the Sieur de Flacour Company I thought it rashness to expose my life to danger without any prospect of doing good so that I resolved to quit the Sieur de Flacour and to take the conveniency of a small River which discharges it self not far from hence into the Sea According to this resolution I hired a Canoe or Boat refusing to accept of the Fire-arms that were offered me because I did not imagine I should have any occasion for them being in hopes to reach and lodge that Night at Bargara in the House of Couleas Marcal a rich Mahometan Merchant and famous Pirate in those parts with whom I had some Business I passed without any hindrance having only the Master and his Boy in my Company by Cotta or Cognaly a Market-Town from whence the most famous Pirate in those Seas whose Lordship it is derives his Name and thus being gently conveyed by the current I thought my self out of all danger as being near Bargara when some Pirates who had discovered me from far of were making towards me with their Boat As I was not ignorant that all what
is not determined hitherto who were 〈◊〉 first that brought Hogs and Goats into this Islanâ—â— but it is most certain Hogs and Goats that they are found here 〈◊〉 great numbers the French are always provideâ— with Dogs bred up for that purpose who catâ—â— them without much difficulty especially the Hogsâ— who are very Wild. It is not above five 〈◊〉 Twenty or Thirty Years since Oxen and Coâ—â— were first Transported from the Isle of Dauphine to Mascareigne which makes them to be as 〈◊〉 pretty scarce CHAP. IV. Of the Tortoises and some other Living Creatures of this Island THE Tortoises are of two different Kinds to wit the Land and Sea Tortoises The Land Tortoises Land Tortoises are so numerous in this Island that you canâ—carce avoid meeting with them where-ever you â—o their Flesh is accounted very good coming 〈◊〉 Taste next to Veal out of their Livers they 〈◊〉 an Oyl which for want of better someâ—imes serves for Salleting The Sea Tortoises are somewhat rarer than the others Sea Tortoises they never come on Shoar but in the Night-time on the West side of the Island where 〈◊〉 the Colony of St. Paul They take great care â—o cover their Eggs deep in the Sand for fear of â—he Wild Boars who are very greedy after them Those that go out to catch them How catch'd watch their opportunity as they are coming out of the Sea and finding them upon the Sand they turn them upon their Backs by putting a Stick under the Belâ—y But the Land Tortoises being not altogether â—s o flat as the others soon get upon their Feet again There are some of both kinds of a prodigious bigness but they are of a different Taste The Flesh of the Sea Tortoises is look'd upon as a sovereign Remedy against the Scurvy There have been 800 Eggs found at a time in a Tortoise every one as big as a Goose Egg some ready to be â—aid others without Shells they don't come near our Pullets Eggs in goodness Nevertheless these Tortoises stand sometimes in no small stead to Ships that come that way because they may be kept alive on Board for two Months by only waterinâ— of them every day with Sea Water There are also in the Isle of Burbon good stoâ—â— of Pidgeons Turtles and Partridges and 〈◊〉 numbers of other Birds Birds of this Island but especially Parroâ—â— which are so Tame as to be catch'd with a Manâ— Hand or at the most one may knock them dowâ— with a Stick at pleasure The only Bird which 〈◊〉 shyer than the rest and is generally kill'd by thâ— Fusee is that called Flamand It is as big as 〈◊〉 Young Turkey but his Neck and Legs 〈◊〉 4 or 5 Foot long and being not to be catchâ—â— without a great deal of trouble is look'd upoâ— here as a rarety The Sparrows are no bigger in the Isle of Mascareigne than in other parts but they are excessively troublesome to the Country by their prodigious numbers for whereever they come they consume the Seeds lately Sowed and the Houses are as much pestered with them here as we are with Flies for being quite spent by the heat of thâ— Sun they seek for shelter in the Houses wheâ— they fall in the pots and dishes and often 〈◊〉 their Wings in the Fire There is also a kind of Flitter-mice in this Island almost as big as Pullets they are Eaten by the Indians but not by the French For the rest Salubrity of this Island there is neither Serpent nor Scorpion or any other reptiles or venomous Insects to be found in this Island the goodness of it being such as to be quite contrary to these Creatures as it has been found by several Experiments which the French have made upon Rats After we had sufficiently refresh'd our selves here our Ships Crew being all very well restored to Health and our Ship provided with good Provisions we set Sail with a fair Wind on the 22d day of September from Mascareigne and without much difficulty gained the Isle Dauphin on the 29th day of the same Month. Being at the sight of 24 Degrees and some Minutes we were not a little aâ—â—aid of passing Fort Dauphin in the Night-time because that the Current which always runs to the â—â—uth and the North-East Winds which are so â—â—equent on the Coast will not let you get out aâ—â—in without great trouble if you are once got â—â—der the Wind. We therefore cast our Anchor 〈◊〉 sight of the point of Itapere and the next day 〈◊〉 11 a Clock in the Forenoon entred the Bay Dauphine where we met with the Golden-Eagle â—hich was Arrived there 15 days before us having suffered and lost more Men than we even â—fter her Arrival at Madagascar the Air being not â—ear so wholsome here as in the Isle of Mascareigne We found them very busie in refitting the Ships which together with the Mary was design'd to â—â—rry Monsieur de Faye Director of the East-India Company to the Indies where he afterwards Died 〈◊〉 Suratte They were extreamly overjoyed at the â—â—ght of us having given us over for lost and accordingly we were received with all the demonâ—â—rations of joy Whilst we were here there Arriâ—ed the Ship called St. Jean from the East-Indies Commanded by Monsieur de Lopi Nephew of Monsieur de Mondevergue who was the King's Lieutenant-General in the Isle of Madagascar He â—rdered our Ship also to be Careen'd and to be reâ—tted for the prosecuting our Voyage which was â—xecuted with so much diligence that those Ships â—et Sail together for the Indies whilst I with some â—ew continued for some time longer in this Island CHAP. V. Of the Isle Dauphine or Madagascar MAdagascar the Isle Dauphine and St. Laurenâ— are Names belonging to one and the 〈◊〉 Island A general Description of this Island The first it has received from its Nativâ— the second from the French and the last from 〈◊〉 Portugueses who first discovered it on St. Lâ—â—rence's day It s Length extends from the right to the 27â— Degree of Southern Latitude It is the largest Island in the whole World at least as far as is discovered hitherto being 750 French Leagues in Coâ—pass The Climate considering its Situation 〈◊〉 pretty Temperate the ordinary Food of the Inhabitants is Rice besides which there is gooâ— store of Bananas Ananas Cocos Oranges Limâ—â— and other sorts of Fruits There are many Rivers both small and great in this Island and 〈◊〉 great many fine Lakes which are extreamly Commodious and supply the want of Rivers in somâ— places during the dry Season of the Year Theiâ— chief Commodity is Oxen Their Oxen. they are of an extraordinary Bigness and have a great bunch weighing sometimes 30 pounds on the Top of theiâ— Necks it is all Fat and is counted the daintieâ— piece of the whole Ox. The Air of Madagascar tho' it be pretty Temperate The Air of Madagascar yet is it not very wholsome That parâ—
cast Anchor near one of the small Islands in the Bay CHAP. XII â—f the Bay of Antongil and our return to Fort Dauphine THE Bay of Antongil Description of the Bay of Antongil is one of the most considerable in the whole World for its bigness 〈◊〉 firmness of its bottom and the secure station 〈◊〉 Ships which are sheltered here against the most â—iolent Tempests besides that the fertility of the â—â—rcumjacent Country renders it one of the most â—onvenient places for Ships to furnish themselves with all manner of Refreshments The Bay is 15 Leagues long at its Entrance 3 broad in the â—â—iddle 9 and so encreases gradually towards the â—hoar It is able to contain a great number of Ships and comprehends within its Circuit several â—mall Islands among which the most considerable â—s called Maroca Near this Island most of the Ships come to an Anchor as being sheltred against the Winds from all sides The South and East Winds are most favourable to further the Entrance of Ships into this Bay but on the other hand they are directly opposite to those who are to come out so that these Winds being very frequent here you may enter without much difficulty in a few Hours but it will require oftentimes some Months before you can get out again They are as much pestered here with continual Rains as they are at the Isle of St. Mary's neither is the Air much better the people hereabouts Live like the rest of the Inhabitants of Madagascar but that their Religion comes somewhat nearer to Mahometism the Men are here Jealous of their Wives even to a degree of Madness and punish Adultery with Death They never eat any Swines-Flesh and have such an Aversion to this Creature that if one chances to Die they Bury it very deep under Ground least they should be defiled by the smell as they pass by They esteem Gold and Silver no more than they do Tin and Copper We catch'd here abundance of Wild-Fowl and reckoning the Commodities we Truckt with them at the rate they Cost us in France we did not pay for a good Fowl above one Penny After we had got on Board as much as we had occasion for at present we doubled the uttermost Cape of the Bay in order to our return to St. Mary's where we also continu'd no longer than was absolutely requisite to Embark those we came to fetch away Some that were Married in the Country chose rather to stay behind than to leave their Wives Leave St. Mary ' s. which the Captain would not take on Board and the next day after we set Sail from the Island we came to an Anchor in the Road of Galamboule where there is always a high Sea let the Weather be never so fair After we had Embark'd all the French that were to go along with us we blew up the Fort at the sight of which and the Embarkment of the Canon the Negroes dreading the Cruelties of the Neighbouring Mountainers their irreconcilable Enemies after our Departure broke out into most horrible outcries and gave us all the possible Demonstrations of their utmost Despair Their miserable Condition moving us to Compassion we took as many of them as our Ship would hold on Board of us endeavouring to comfort the rest with some Presents and the hopes of a speedy return in order to deliver them out of the Hands of their Enemies Thus we quitted this dangerous Port Leaves Galamboule on the Twenty first of June with a very favourable Gale so that on the Twenty sixth of the same Month we were within sight of the point of Itapere which is only 3 Leagues distant from Fort Dauphine The Pilots frequenting these Coasts are always very careful to come to an Anchor towards Night near this Point and to stay till Day-light the better to avoid the Rocks that are at the Entrance of the Bay Dauphine but our Pilot being fool-hardy continu'd his Course all the Night so that at break of Day beside the danger we had escaped of being lost upon the Shelves and Rocks we found our selves a great way below the Bay The worst of all was that being encouraged by the hopes of a speedy Passage we had not managed our Provisions to the best Advantage so that having nothing left but a small quantity of Rice we began to consult what was most expedient to be done in this present emergency then it was at last resolved to approach the Shoar and to Land all those whom we had brought along with us from St. Mary's and Galamboule Pursuant to this Resolution we came to an Anchor in the Bay of Galleons which received its Name from some Portuguese Galleons that were lost near this place This Bay being not above 3 Leagues from Fort Dauphine we only stay'd for Day-light that we might with the more conveniency disembark our Men where on a sudden a fresh Gale arising from the West we immediately set Sail and after some small difficulties which we easily surmounted entred the so much desired Fort about Noon on the 5th of August So soon as we found our selves in a place of security the whole Ships Crew made their Complaints against the Captain who being immediately dispossess'd Monsieur Lambety who had formerly Commanded the Ship was put in his place CHAP. XIII Our Departure from Madagascar to the Indies THE New Captain received immediate Orders to have his Ship refitted and to prepare every thing for his Voyage to the Indies whither he was to go in Company with the Mazarine Frigat and a Hoy called the St. John The Season being very far advanced we got every thing in readiness with the utmost diligence so that all the three Ships being in a Sailing posture by the 12th of August we doubled the most Southern Cape of the Isle Dauphine with a North-East Wind blowing a fresh Gale the Mazarine Frigat being an Old Ship lost her Main Top-Mast and her Main-Yard of which Accidents we were quickly advertised in our Ship but our Orders being to make the best of our way to Suratte we did not stay for the rest but pursued our Voyage alone The Wind proved as favourable to us as we could have wish'd Bay of St. Austin so that making use of all our Sails we pass'd in sight of the Bay of St. Austin a good Port belonging to the Isle of Madagascar Situate on the West side of the Island under the five and Twentieth Degree of Southern Latitude from whence we steer'd our Course to the Isle of Don John Isle of Don John where we intended to refresh our selves The Portugueses have given the Island this Name after him who was the first discoverer of it It is Situate betwixt the Continent of Africa and the Isle of Madagascar near 3 or 4 other Islands the most considerable of which is called Majota We were scarce come within sight of it when being becalmed the violence of the Current drove us upon the
of any defence and if they happen to take any it is commonly done by surprize seldom by open force If these Corsairs render the Indian Seas somewhat troublesome it is very safe travelling by Land especially if you be conducted by some Nahers as you travel from one Town to another for robbing upon the High-way and Stealing is most severely punish'd whereas Pirating is look'd upon as a free Exercise the Kings in those parts not taking Cognisance of what is transacted upon the open Sea where they are perswaded the weakest ought to submit to the strongest These Corsairs pay the tenth of what Booty they take either in Money or Slaves to the Prince under whose Jurisdiction they live upon the Seas nothing is exempted from their attempts they attacking all they meet without any respect of Religion or Nation or having the least regard to any passes though given by such Lords or Princes as they stand in awe of If their next Neighbours or their best Friends chance to fall into their hands at Sea they spare them no more than if they were the greatest strangers in the World but load them with Irons till they have paid their Ransom These Pirats are more ignorant and barbarous than the other Mahometans they are distinguished from the Pagans only by their Beards Turbants and Vests If they happen to take any Mahometans or Pagans they only strip them of all they find but seldom make them Slaves unless it be a person from whom they expect an extraordinary Ransom The Christians are treated with more severity and are sure to die in Slavery unless they be either ransomed or else embrace Mahometanism when they are much respected and commonly are made Captain of their Paros At their first going abroad with one of those Vessels their chiefest aim is to initiate the new Vessel with the Blood of the first Christian Slave they take But among all the Europeans The Portugueses are their declared Enemies the Portuguese most frequently receive the bloody Marks of their most barbarous cruelty for which reason it is that they are declared Enemies to these Corsairs and if they meet with any of them they carry them for the most part to Goa where they put them in Chains in their Galleys or else keep them in Irons in the Casal de Polvera which signifies the Powder-House from whence there is seldom any Redemption These Barbarians being naturally so covetous as scarce ever to attempt the Redemption of their Friends out of Slavery unless it be sometimes a Captain of their Paros which however is scarce ever granted by the Portuguese who in requital of the Cruelties exercised by them against their Country-Men rather choose to let them Die in Bondage than to make the advantage of their ransom The Mahometans living among the Malabars are obliged to Accommodate themselves in all respects to their Laws and Customs unless it be in such matters as are directly opposite to their Religion tho' the Mahometans in those parts are more Jealous to fill their Coffers and in frequenting the best Market-Town than their Mosques CHAP. XXXVIII The French Settlement at Tilcery WE being seated at Batiepatan in a place where we wanted all manner of conveniency by reason of its distance from the Sea-side as soon as the two Ships called the Mary and the Strong had set Sail in order to their return into France we made our Applications to Prince Onitri to assign us another more Commodious place for our Habitations which having soon been granted by the means of some Presents he himself settled us in a place called Tatichere afterwards by us named Tilcery being part of his own Estate Situate about 4 Leagues to the South of Batiepatan Cananor and 3 of Cananor The last of these two places is Situate at 11 Degrees and 40 Minutes North Latitude in the most Fertile and Beautiful part of the whole Kingdom It s Port is very fair and Commodious during the Summer Season but dangerous in Winter It was in this place the Portuguese first settled themselves after their first discovery of the Indies There is to this day to be seen a strong Tower Built of Stone which they had brought along with them from Portugal it is environ'd with a very good high Wall whereupon are Mounted above 100 pieces of Cannon they soon after Built a very handsome Town just by the Fort and made themselves so considerable in those parts that they were a Terror to all the Indians round about them Cananor is destitute of the conveniency of a River but this is supplied by a small Bay where there is very Commodious Landing The Dutch having afterwards got a settlement here under the protection of the King of Cananor the Inhabitants craved their assistance against the encroachments made upon them by the Portugueses and these glad of so favourable an opportunity of ridding their hands of their Rival's being assisted by the Nahers of the Country Portugueses beaten out by the Dutch beat the Portugueses after a most vigorous resistance out of their strong hold rased the City and kept the Fort for their own use On the South side there is a very large Market-Town Inhabited by Mahometan Merchants who live there under the jurisdiction of a person of Quality of their own Religion who is nevertheless dependant from the King and his Chief Minister He that was there Governour all my time was called Atitaja and was King of several of the Maldive Islands These Islands are very Healthful and Fertile The Maldive Islands where by reason of their great Traffick you may be furnish'd with every thing the Indies afford They make use of neither Waggons nor Coaches but instead of them use Elephants Horses and their Palanquins 'T is here that those Canas which we call Bambou's grow in great quantities They are when they come to perfection as thick as a Man's Thigh and 20 or 30 Foot long whilst they are very young and tender they cut them and pickle them in Vinegar They slit them before they are dry to make Palanquins of them but when they are come to full perfection they are sold at the rate of 200 Crowns apiece Since the departure of the Portugueses from Cananor the Dutch are become as grievous to the Inhabitants as the Portuguese and if their Pride was insupportable to the Indians the insolence of the others is no less troublesome to them so that in all likelihood they would be forward enough to lend a helping hand to such as would attempt to drive the Hollanders from thence At a League distance from Cananor as you Travel towards the South you pass through a Town called Carla Inhabited by Tives and Cheti's where are made the best Callicoes which retain the Name of that place for their goodness sake A League further towards the South you come to Tremapatan Tremapatan or as the Malabars call it Talmorte being a very considerable Market-Town Inhabited by Mahometan Merchants
time they were just going to Dinner The English Factory of Batiepatan is above a League and a half from the Sea-side built upon a rising Ground just on the very River-side which will not bear any Ships of Burthen The English Commissary and the Captains there present entertained us very handsomely so that we staid there all the rest of the day our Mariners having in the mean while refreshed themselves and fearing if we staid any longer we should be hard put to it with drinking we parted at Night and came safely the next Morning to Tilcery where in a few days after the English return'd us the visit But as these diversions were but very rare among us so I began to be weary of this kind of Life which had made me write several times to the Directors of our East-India Company to desire them to remove me from Tilcery being fully resolved to leave it without their permission if in a little time I did not receive a favourable answer In the mean while we took another Journey to Tanor where we heard the news of the death of the young Tive of whom I spoke before to have been cured by the Braman We only stay'd here for a few days when having dispatch'd our business we return'd to Tilcery by Sea As it is very dangerous to coast it along the shoar by reason of the great number of the Corsairs that are watching thereabouts for pray we put out to Sea where they are not so frequent But scarce had we sail'd a League when we were on a sudden over whelmed with such an infinite number of Fish as big as our Mackerel which threw themselves into our Vessel that the diversion we took at it at first sight not long after turned into fear of being sunk by their weight We were fain to set all hands to work to throw them out as fast as possibly we could which however would have stood us but in little stead if we had not avoided the danger by making towards the shoar with all speed we could Having rid our selves thus of our unwelcome Guests troublesome only by their number we put to Sea again a second time and arrived at Calicut about Midnight We entertained the next day the English with all their Domesticks and our selves with some of the Fish that were come into our Vessel the day before besides which our Ships Crew sold whole Baskets full of them to the Inhabitants We did not stay here above two days and having sent back our Vessel to Tanor we travelled back by Land to Tilcery CHAP. VI. The Return of the Sieur de Flacour THE Sieur de Flacour returning from Sirinpatan towards the end of November gave us an exact account of the Danger and Fatigues he had undergone after I had left him upon his Journey which had taken him up five and thirty days though he had not above thirty Leagues to Travel Besides which he had been in danger of being drowned by the violence of the Currents of those Rivers which he had been forced to pass having lost several of his Company by these Disasters But the good success of his Negotiation having made him a full amends for the troubles he had suffered he remembred the past dangers with a greal deal of Satisfaction The Commodities brought from Sirinpatan are the finest Callicoes Commodities brought from Sirinpatan Sandal Wood which grows in such a quantity there abouts that the Kings and other great Men make use of it in their Buildings There is also in that Country good store of a Native Salt Petre which is bought very cheap and wants but little refining The Sieur de Flacour shewed us some patterns of these Callicoes half as fine again as those of Suratte for the same price We were busied the remaining part of this year in buying up of Pepper to be ready at hand against the arrival of our Vessels which were expected daily to come into our Road and in the beginning of January the Ship called the Providence arrived to take in part of her Cargo in that Commodity The Captains name was Mr. Petit who had not above seven Frenchmen on Board the rest of his Ships Crew being all Mahometans He inform'd us of the arrival of the Sieur de Blot Director of the French East-India Company in those parts and that he had sent his Orders to the Sieur de la Serine to quit Malabar and to return to Suratte I was not a little out of Humour to find that I had not been mentioned by him but as all the Gentlemen that had any Command here were my particular Friends so I obtain'd without much difficulty their consent of going in the same Ship with the Sieur de Serine being resolved not to spend the best part of my younger days nor to confine my curiosity to this remote corner of the Indies The Sieur de Flacour was the very person who was unwilling to lose my Company and to stay behind alone but being convinced of the necessity of my departure I prepared my self to go along with the above mentioned Captain Petit so soon as he should return from Tanor and Calicut whither he was sailed to take in such Commodities as we had bought up before In the mean while One of the Kings Ships arrives one of the Kings Ships carrying sixty pieces of Cannon commanded by Captain du Clos came to an Anchor in our Road. He was come out in Company with two Pinks They were to join the Sieur de la Haye who was come out of France a year before them having on board a good Summ to pay the Troops in the service of the East-India Company They being separated from one another some days before by stress of Weather the Captain was at an uncertainty whether the Pinks were behind or before him and perceiving our White Flag they came to an Anchor in the Road but did not stay longer than four and twenty hours during which they were provided with all manner of refreshments The King's Ship was scarce got out of sight being not above four hours under Sail when Captain de Petit return'd with his Ship from Calicut and we were getting every thing ready to set sail the next day The same day towards Evening we perceived a small Vessel which was making towards our Road and sent out her Chaloup which did not come till late at Night on Board the Province There was in the Chaloup a Lieutenant belonging to one of the Pinks which had been separated from the King's Ship commanded by Captain de Clos and the Lieutenant having been informed that we were to set Sail the next Morning by break of day did not go ashoar and at parting it was agreed that we should weigh our Anchors together of which we were to advertise one another by a certain Signal agreed on betwixt us which was the discharging of a Cannon CHAP. VII Our departure from Tilcery IT was on the 20th day of January
Orders CHAP. XII Concerning our stay at Goa THere are in the River of Goa many very pleasant and most fruitful small Islands and on the Shoar of the Continent being under the Jurisdiction of the Sevagi whom we have mentioned before a most curious Fountain surrounded on all sides with Trees whither the Ladies of Goa go in gilt Boats to divert themselves in the cool of the Evening The first thing we did after our Arrival at Goa was to visit Father Cornelius de St. Cyprian Prior of the discalceated Carmelites who being our Country-Man shewed us all the Respect and Civility in the World the day after we went to see Mr. Martin a rich French Merchant with whom we stay'd three days and who among other diversions shew'd us the Fountain I spake of before where the Ladies of Goa pass their Evenings as we came thither we found the places round about it taken up with several Companies of the fair Sex so that we were obliged to follow the custom of the Country and out of respect to the Ladies to remain at some distance till they were gone Mr. Martin had caused above 20 of the Indian Women Dancers to be conducted thither who shew'd their Activity by the light of several Torches and diverted us to our no small satisfaction a great part of the Night several of them being very handsome and extraordinary well shap'd some of our Company entred with them in close Conversation and Mr. Martin having thus entertain'd us very handsomely we took our Leave of him and spent the next day in setling our Business in order to our Departure from Goa CHAP. XIII Our Departure from Goa THE Wind being not very favourable to us as we Sailed out of the Harbour of Goa we could scarce reach that day within sight of Betageurta a place Situate about 8 Leagues to the North of Goa and under the jurisdiction of the Prince Sevagi our intention was to have touch'd at Rajapour but not being able to go thither without much loss of time we were obliged to go ashoar at Achara a place likewise belonging to the Prince Sevagi to take in fresh Provisions But as we were within a League of the Shoar we discovered 6 stout Vessels which we believing to belong to the Port of Achara the Sieurs Petit de la Serine and my self went with our Chaloup Manned only with 7 Mahometans and an Interpreter to take a full view of them but scarce were we come within Cannon Shot when we perceived them to be 6 Malabar Corsairs who could have no less than 1500 Men on Board Our Sea-Men being all Mahometans They are in danger of being taken by the Corsairs had less reason to be frighted at the danger that threatned us than we who being Christians could not expect the least Mercy from these Barbarians notwithstanding which they would have leap'd overboard to save themselves with Swiming if we had not forced them with our Swords in hand to row to the Shoar this being the only means to escape the danger into which we had thrown our selves by our own imprudence and foolhardiness The Sea-Men seeing us so resolute ply'd their Oars so warily that in a very small time they brought us without the reach of their Cannon so that we got safely a-shoar without having received the least damage No sooner were we got a-shoar but we were informed that the same Corsairs had just before taken a Hoy belonging to the French East-India Company valued at 2000 l. Sterling which they having sold to the Governour of Achara we saw the Vessel lying afterwards in the River Tho' the Prince Sevagi the Lord of this Port was absolutely in our Interest yet all our Sea-Men being Mahometans except only three French Men we were very uneasie about our Ship for fear it should fall into the Hands of these Corsairs Mr. Petit the Captain had more reason to be concerned than all the rest he having left his Ship to go ashoar in a place where he had no concerns on the account of the Company and to add to our affliction the Wind being quite contrary we could not get back again to the Ship In this extremity the Captain took a resolution suitable to the emergency of our Affairs which did not admit of any delay for which reason he got into a small Canoe or Fisher-Boat and leaving us a shoar was by two Fishermen happily conducted to his Ship We had no sooner received this well-come news but we found means to insinuate into those that lived near the Sea-side that we were come hither on purpose to ransom the Vessel these Corsairs had taken before that we had sent our Captain on board to attack these Pirates and that we having five and twenty Guns ready mounted and 150 men on Board did not question but to give shortly a very good account of them This Rhodomontado succeeded beyond expectation for some of the Corsairs having been informed of what we had related to the inhabitants and seeing our Ship to be in a readiness to set sail they were so frightned thereat that they set up all the sail they could and making the best of their way towards the South left a free passage for our Ship to enter the port of Achara After we had dispatch'd our business in this place we set sail from thence with a fair and fresh gale which brought us the same day to the Entrance of the River of Rajapour of which I will say no more here having had occasion to speak of it before We set sail again the next day and were scarce a League from the shoar when to the North of us we discovered a Vessel with the white Flag she proved to be the Vulture belonging to the French East-India Company being ordered in her return to France to touch at Bantam whither she was to carry my Lord Bishop of Heliopolis who was going to Siam but was much against his Will detained by the Spaniards in the Philippin Islands and from thence conducted into Spain from whence he travelled through Italy into France as may be seen in the Relation Printed by order of the Fathers Missionaries We all went to pay our respect to this Prelate and on St. Matthew's day heard Mass on board of him The Winds proving very contrary all the rest of our Yoyage to Suratte which is not above fourscore Leagues from Rajapour we were above a month before we reached that Port where we arrived the 20th day of March. CHAP. XIV The arrival of the Ship called the Holy Ghost THE next day after our arrival in the Road of Suratte we received orders to enter the Port of Sovaly and I having no occasion to stay on board went a shoar and paid my respects to our Directors the Sieurs de Blot and Baron Soon after the Ship called the Holy Ghost burthen 600 Tuns commanded by Captain le Rokd came to an Anchor in the Road of Suratte she had on board the Sieur
by the Portugueses 〈…〉 of Daman who remain in possession of it to this day it is about 20 Leagues from Suratte and 80 from Goa it is not very large but strong and neatly kept the Streets are not Paved but very straight and regular The Houses are all handsome Buildings and the Churches very Magnificent especially the Parish Church and the Chappel of the Charitable Society Besides which there are 4 others belonging to the Jesuits to the Jacobin and Austin Friarâ— and to the Recollects The Inhabitants of Daman are look'd upon as the best Horse-Men in the Indies Itâ— Inhabâ—tanâ—s they having once defended themselves with great bravery against an Army of the Great Mogul consisting of 40000 Men who had Besieged the place This Government is one of the most considerable the Portugueses are Masters of in these parts He that was Governour there at that time was one Manuel Furtado de Mendoza a Bastard Cousin German of the Portuguese Vice-Roy The River washes the Walls of the City where there is a very safe Harbour for Ships unless it happen sometimes that by the violence of the Current occasion'd by the overflowing of the Waters they are sometimes forced from their Anchors if they be not carefully look'd after The City lies not above a good Cannon Shot from the Sea side and on the opposite Shoar of the River is the Fort of St. Jerom The Fort of St. Jerom. which is a great addition to the Strength and defence of Daman for which reason it is that the Portugueses are more careful of this Fort than of any other they are Masters of in the Indies they not allowing any Negroes to be received among the Soldiers of the Garrison which always consists of 400 Men at least Every one of these are obliged to lie every Night within the Fort and if any one chances to do otherwise without special leave from the Governour who never grants it but upon extraordinary occasions they lose their Pay for that day for the first offence and the second time they are Cashier'd The Governour of this Fort has no dependance on the Governour of the City they are never above 3 Years in the same post a Custom observed by the Portugueses with all the rest of their Governours The Air about Daman is very pleasant and the principal Inhabitants of the City pass the greatest part of the Year at their Country Houses CHAP. XIX Concerning our stay at Daman NOT long before my Arrival at Daman the Sieur de St. James Son of a French Physician and another young French Man were Married there The last of these two had Married the Bastard Sister of a Lady of Quality called Donna Petronilla de la Cerda who after she was a Widow had Married a person of the first Rank among the Portugueses The Sieur de St. James had Married the Daughter of this Lady whose Name being Donna Rosa de Mello was in all respects answerable to her Youth and Beauty I having heard much talk of them at Suratte I thought my self under an indispensible obligation to pay them a visit But the first thing I did was to deliver my recommendation to the Rector of the Jesuit College who receiv'd me with all the Civility imaginable and conducted me to the Governour who after he had treated me according to his Quality proposed to me to stay at Daman where there was at that time no other Physician but some Pagan Indians whose Practice consisting only in a few Receipts they apply them indifferently to all Patients I return'd his Compliment desiring some time to consider of the matter and the Rector of the Jesuits observing my inclination to Travelling to be more prevailing with me than the Prospect of present advantages urged me to accept of the Governour 's offers assuring me that he would make use of all his interests for my further advantage The next following day I paid a visit to my two Country-Men of whom I spoke just now they were overjoyed to see me and Treated me with a most Magnificent Collation in the mean while the Sieur de St. James had spoke in my behalf to his Mother-in-law to desire her permission to let me Lodge in their House which she having easily granted they had without my knowledge sent for my Trunks so that when after some Hours stay I was going to take my leave they intreated me to accept of their House which at their reiterated intreaties I could not refuse to my two generous Country-Men I was not ignorant of the Custom of the Portugueses with whom you can scarce meet with sufficient circumspection in respect of the fair Sex I did not as yet mention one word concerning their Ladies but the next day they were the first that mentioned and proposed a visit to them I seem'd to be careless in the matter and having spent the greatest part of the day in visiting some of my Patients in the City at my return towards Night they introduced me to them in their Apartments where I entertained them with the same freedom as we do in France whereat they seem'd not at all displeased They did ask me many Questions which I answered as well as I could and Donna Petronilla Addressing her Discourse to me above the rest we did not part till late at Night I did not fail afterwards to visit them at least once a day and Petronilla treated me always with more than ordinary Civility She was of about 39 years of Age notwithstanding which she had sufficient Charms being of a very pleasing Aspect of an admirable Shape delicately featured and agreeable in all respects she had a very lively Eye and her Humour was the sweetest and most Complaisant in the World We diverted our selves together for some Hours every Night and I must confess that I never passed three Weeks more pleasantly than these in all my life time CHAP. XX. Of Trapor DOnna Petronilla's Seat was at Trapor she being only come to Daman about some particular Business she was to be at home with her Husband before Easter and desired me to conduct her Home being not above 10 Leagues from Daman Having first asked the Governour 's Leave I accepted of their kind offer and Travelled with their whole Family towards Trapor On the Monday of the Holy Week we laid at a place called Danou a Lordship belonging to the Eldest Son of Donna Petronilla near to this is the Mountain called the Picque of Danou resembling in shape a Sugar Loaf which lying betwixt Suratte and Bassaim serves for a guide to the Ships that Sail near this Coast there is here a small River which bears no Ships of any Burthen but only some small Craft Donna Petronilla's Husband met us at Danou and received me with all imaginable Civility and the Wednesday following we came to Trapor or Tarapour This is a small City Built on the Sea side half ways betwixt Daman and Bassaim belonging to the Portugueses who have here
In the mean while Are troubled with the Scurvy we had a worse Enemy within our own Ship this was that pernicious Evil the Scurvy which in the month of April began to make a great havock among our Ships Crew and notwithstanding all our Precautions kill'd us some of our Men every day To add to our Affliction we were often becalmed till at last a favourable Gale arising we made towards the Coast of Brasil where we were to touch in our Voyage so that on the 19th day of May we discovered the shoar of Brasil near the Bay of All-Saints Some Fishermen who were out at Sea having discovered our Vessel came on board of us about Noon who undertook to conduct us safely into the Road but had almost lost our Ship she striking upon the Sands but as good fortune would have it so slightly that it drew us into no further ill consequences But we had all the reason in the World to thank Providence for our delivery a Ship of the same bulk with ours having been lost in the same place some years before so that scarce a Man escaped with life of a thousand that belonged to the Ship But the advantage of a very fair Day and Wind joined with the indefatigable care of our Mariners made us by God's Providence escape the danger which threatned no less than our Destruction Being got clear of the Sands we came to an Anchor at a good distance from thence and the next day being the 20th of May entered the Port and cast Anchor before the Town which bears the same name with the Bay We had lost five and twenty of our Men in our Voyage from Goa and had above 300 more on board so terribly afflicted with the Scurvy that if we had been detained but never so little a while longer at Sea most of them would infallibly have died CHAP. XXIV Our Arrival in Brasil and its Description DUring my stay in Brasil I got intimately acquainted with a certain Merchant a Spaniard by Birth but who having lived for a considerable time in those parts gave me an exact account of the whole state of affairs of this Country and shew'd me much kindness in all other respects I am not ignorant that several others before me have given us an account of Brasil nevertheless I will insert shortly what observations I have made here Brasil is Situate on the Eastern Coast of America A Description of Barsil where the Portugueses who where the first and sole discoverers of it have built several Towns and created Colonies which now after a long and vigorous War with the Dutch who disputed with them the possession of it they enjoy quietly The Country is very pleasant the Air tolerably good and temperate by reason of the frequent Rains which in a great measure allay the heat of the Sun The Ground here produces abundance of Fruits without being cultivated such as Citrons Lemons Oranges Ananas Bananas and several others There are also Grapes in Brasil but not in such plenty as in Europe They have prodigious quantities of Canes which turn to a mighty account if the inhabitants did improve them to the best advantage and knew how to vend them abroad From Brasil comes most excellent Tobacco and here it is that they have stoâ—e of those Water Melons which surpass all other kâ—nds in goodness The Grounds of Brasil will not produce any Garlick or Onions They are obliged to be furnished with them from Portugal They have also abundance of Coco's in Brasil but they coming not near in bigness to those in the East-Indies they make Tobacco and other Boxes of them some of them being so small as scarce to be fit for Beads They don't draw any Tary from the Coco-trees in Brasil as they do in the East-Indies neither make they any Suchar of it or Aqua Vitae because their Canes furnish them sufficiently with the first and the latter they are supplied with from Portugal CHAP. XXV A further account of Brasil BEsides the Brasil Wood there are several other sorts of Trees in this Country Commodities of Brasil quite unknown to us in Europe among which is the chiefest the Tree from whence destills that Balsom we surname of Peru The Wood is made use of for Cabinet Work for Ladies of Quality because they have a most sweet Scent and Perfume any thing that is enclosed within them In the Southern Parts of the Coast Produces no Wheat they have very good Wheat but near the Bay of All-Saints there grows none and most other parts of Brasil are deprived of the advantage of this so useful a Commodity They give two reasons for it first because say they the Ground is not fit for it and secondly which I look upon to be the better of the two because that they are pestered hereabouts with such prodigious numbers of Ants that they consume the Grains before they take root Prillet and Rice grows in all parts of Brasil but the ordinary Food of the Brasilians is the flower of Mandioc which the French call Cassave and the Portuguese Farina de Rao This Mandioc root is propagated by cutting of it in pieces and putting them into the Ground where they grow to a considerable bigness they are very White and if they are eaten unprepared they prove often mortal They take away their venomous quality by steeping them in Water till they are soft when they take them out and let them dry this they repeat several times and so often till they think them to be sufficiently cured of their ill Quality when they make flower of it almost as course in outward appearance as Gunpowder which at the best is but insipid and very heavy causing obstructions in such as are not used to eat it They make Cakes out of this Flower which they call Bejous they are of somewhat a better taste than the common Bread but retain the same ill quality They are furnished with Wheat from Rio de Janeiro and with good Flower from Portugal so that they are not absolutely destitute of wheaten Bread in this Bay but it is somewhat dearer here than in other places They have also sufficient store of Oil Wine Linen Cloaths Stuffs and all other Commodities requisite for the Conveniency and Necessity of Human Life which are imported there from Europe Their own Grounds furnish them sufficiently with Flesh Poultry and Fish and Fruits and Sweet-meats are very cheap here But Brasil is not without its great inconveniencies they are always pestered with a certain kind of Vermin or small Worms of which I shall have occasion to say more hereafter in the Appendix of this Relation which treats of the Distâ—mperâ— in those parts Besides this the Ants of all sorts but especially that kind which is of a reddish Colour and bigger than the rest are a continual Plague to them for they cover the Grounds where-ever they light in such prodigious heaps that at a distance you would
Inhabitants of the Coast of Brasil The first is occasioned by a certain kind of a Worm long and pretty thick which being engendred in the Legs causes most cruel Pains afterwards very sordid Ulcers and last of all an incurable Gangrene if you don't prevent it in time by opening the Skin where it lies from whence you may draw out the Worm by winding of it gradually round a large Needle or small Sticks but very gently for fear of tearing the Worm in pieces in which case you must make a large Incision to take out the remaining part The Worm being remov'd you may apply common Detergents to the Ulcer and afterwards Cicatrise it after the ordinary way The Bicho of the second kind is a Worm but so small as it is impossible to be seen by the most clear-sighted They are in great quantities in ruined Houses as well as new Buildings and among Excrements and Dust They enter insensibly thro' the Pores of the Skin especially in the Feet insinuate themselves betwixt the Flesh and Skin and will sometimes settle under the Nails The Negro's and Brasilians who go bare-footed are often troubled with them and the Europeans tho' they commonly wear Shoo 's and Stockins are not always free from this Mischance These small Worms don't cause any immediate Pain on the contrary it is a great while before you are sensible of them unless you carefully look upon your feet every day But they soon increase in your Skin and in fourteen or fifteen days time grow as big as a Pea and do easily discover themselves by their black Colour The safest way is to take them out as soon as you are sensible of them for the longer they remain in the Skin the more difficult they are to be taken out and if they are there long enough they will cause a Corruption which produces such malignant Ulcers that I have seen oftentimes Negro's to have the Flesh of their Feet corrupted in so miserable a manner that the bare Bones appear'd It is next to an impossibility to avoid catching of these Worms The only way is to take care not to let them settle long in the Skin for if they be taken in time they are not attended with any considerable ill consequences If they have caused any Corruption or Ulcers they may be cur'd after the common way after you have taken out the Worms or have kill'd them with Tobacco-powder Besides this the Portugeses living on the Coast of Brasil are pester'd with another Distemper which they call Bicho This is an Inflamation in the Fundamental which as it is very common so it is no less dangerous in this Country Heat-aches and Burning-heats in the affected part being the constant companions of these Inflamations which are often not without a Fever and if neglected produce in a few days time very malignant Ulcers from whence this Distemper has gotten the name Bicho Such as keep these parts clean by washing them often with fair Water only are less subject to this Evil than such as do otherwise As soon as you find your self siez'd by this Distemper bath it oftentimes a day with a Decoction made of Limons and mix with it a little Salt You may also put with good success Slices of Limons within your Fundament which often cures the Distemper without any more ado if you take it in the beginning But if it be already gone into a Corruption they used to dilate some Gun-powder with a sufficient quantity of Rose or Plantain-Water in which Liniment they dip some Linen-Rags which they put in the Fundament not neglecting to bath it before with the Decoction of Limons Special care is to be taken that if a Fever appear in this case not to let blood it having been found by Experience that it has always prov'd prejudicial It is much more safe to keep constant to Anodyne and Detersive Clysters according as the Corruption or Inflammation is more or less and to conclude the whole Cure with a gentle Purge FINIS A Supplement TO THE Sieur DELLONE's RELATION of his VOYAGE TO THE East-Indies Taken out of the Sieur De Rennefort's HISTORY of the EAST-INDIES CONTAINING A short Account of the Isle of St. Helens Of the Isle of Teneriffe Of the Isle of Ceylon Of the Cape of Good-Hope The Isle of Madagascar And some other Matters having a near Relation to the former TREATISE London Printed for A. Roper at the Black-Boy over against St. Dunstan ' s Church Fleet-street and D. Brown at the Black-Swan and Bible without Temple-Bar 1698. A Supplement TO THE Sieur DELLONE's VOYAGE TO THE East-Indies c. CHAP. I. Of the Isle of St Helens THE Isle of St. Helens is situate under the Torrid Zone at sixteen degrees of Southern Latitude having but one Landing-place to wit In that Part where the English have their Fort. Its Circumference is of about five Leagues being surrounded with unaccessible Rocks You enter or rather climb up to the Island just near the Fort by many Steps near a Mile high from whence a Soldier had broke his Neck a few Weeks before as he was going up this being the only Person that died there in six years before The Air was extreamly wholesome here the heat of the Sun being allay'd by the continual Dews and small Rains It is a very fruitful Island affording good store of Pease Beans Reddishes Turneps Cabbages Aâ—ana's Banana's Citrons Oranges Melons and Pomegranates The English told us that Vines would not thrive in this Island There is also a pâ—odigious Quantity of Rats who consume all the Wheat and Rice that is sow'd They have great plenty of Rabbits They have several times transported some Horses thither but they grew so wild in a little time that they would let no body come near them and if they were pursu'd and driven into a Corner they would rather precipitate themselves from the Rocks that surround the Island into the Sea than suffer themselves to be catch'd There are also good Patridges and some other sorts of wild Fowl so that they enjoy here all the Conveniencies of Human Life were it not for these Rats which being their only redoubtable Enemies the English endeavour by all means possible to extirpate from this Island which belongs to the English East-India Company The Inhabitants live upon Biscuit Oil and Salt-Beef besides what their own Grounds furnish them withal Most of them have their settled Habitations in the Island and only come at certain times in their turns to do duty in the Fort. This Island affords a very delightful Prospect at a great distance at Sea by reason of the vast height of the Rocks which appearing at nine or ten Leagues distance seem to out-brave the force of the whole Ocean CHAP. II. A Description of the Isle of Teneriffe THE Isle of Teneriffe is about eighteen Leagues long and ten broad The Principal Fort which lies under the eight and twentieth degree has four Bastions which commands the adjacent
again he was at last forced to capitulate and return'd from thence in a Dutch Ship to France where he afterwards behaved himself with great bravery upon several occasions and being made Lieutenant-General was kill'd in an Engagement near Thionville CHAP. IX Of the City of Suratte its Inhabitants Traffick and what else is remarkable thereabouts THE City of Suratte in the Kingdom of Gusuratte It s bigness under the Jurisdiction of the Great Mogul comes in bigness near to Roan in France its Inhabitants are Indians some of whom are Mahometans some Pagans Besides which there are Persians Inhabitants Arabians Turks Armenians French English Portugueses Dutch and several other European Nations who have setled themselves here for the conveniency of Commerce There are among the other several Sects of the Pagans some who call themselves Persis who being descended from the race of the Ancient Persians that were driven from their native Country by the Mahometans do in Imitation of their Ancestors Adore the Fire to this day The Pagan Priests or Doctors are called Bramans The Braman some among them pretend to some knowledge in Philosophy They are clad in Cotton of a light reddish colour but so full of slashes and cuts that they appear half naked We saw one march at a certain time thus through the streets who being followed by a great number of Women some among them who seemed to be more devout than the rest wouâ—d run before him and kneeling down take hold of his Privy parts to cure them as we were informed of their Barrenness The Banjans are Pagans who apply themselves chefly to trade The City of Suratte is Surrounded with a strong Brick Wall twelve foot thick each Gate being defended by two Towers Houses of Suratte The Houses of the common People are built only with Canes and Branches of the Palm Tree Those of the Richer sort are of Wood and stone but at the best not above two stories high flat on the top with Terrasses adorned with flowers and water-works for the better conveniency and diversion of its Iahabitants especially among the Mahometans Their Houses have very few windows towards the streets most of them looking into the Court they being extravagantly jealous of their Wives for fear they should be too much taken with strangers of whom there is here always a great number of all Nations They are no less careful of their Treasure for which purpose they have as they have in Persia secret deep wells which being covered very artificially with large stones and strengthned with thick Iron Bars they hide in them all their most precious movables over which they put their Beds and make them their ordinary sleeping places At one end of the City of Suratte upon the very Banks of the River called Tapty The Castle of Suratte you see a very fair Castle with four large Towers of Free-stone with a broad Ditch always full of Water It has a very good Garrison no body being permitted to enter it but those belonging to the Garrison Every hour in the day and night they sound the Trumpet The Governour has no dependance on the Governour of the City and never remains in the same station above three years when he is re-called by the Great Mogul They are so careful in preventing any body from approaching near the Castle that they keep constant Centries at fifty paces distance round about it for that purpose The Prince Sevagi who has several times attack'd and Plundered the City of Suratte could never make himself Master of this Castle The chief Secretary The Civil Officers at Suratte who depends immediaâ—eâ—y on the Great Mogul and is entrusted with all the Registers and Accounts of what is imported at Suratte of which he sends from time to time Copies to Court is the next in Dignity to the two Governours to wit of the City and Castle There is also a Mufti whose Office is to take cognisance of all Religious concerns A Cadi for the interpretation of the Law A Judge Criminal who is invested with an Authority to punish Criminals nevertheless under this limitation not to inflict a Capital punishment upon any without giving an Account of the nature of the Crime to the Great Mogul and receiving his approbation When he appears abroad he is surrounded by his Archers well Armed he is Captain of the night Watch and Patroles round the City every Night from nine till three in the Morning He ought to be responsible for all Robberies committed within the Precincts of this great City but it is very rarely known that he gives satisfaction for any very few of the Inhabitants daring to encounter him upon such an occasion The Provost who is to take care of the Circumjacent Country on the same account is also liable to make satisfaction for all Robberies committed upon the High-ways but he so closely follows the footsteps of the Judge Criminal in this point that he seldom makes any reparation to the losers The Mahometans all keep their Heads shaved but the Pagans look upon their hair as their chief Ornament The Dress of the Indians All the Subjects of the Great Mogul of what Religion soever wear Turbants and Wast-coats not unlike our Cassocks over their shirts The Mahometans make use of streight Drawers which reach down to their Ancles the Pagans wear a kind of a Petticoat neither of them trouble themselves about Shooes or Stockings unless that some of them wear Sandals not unlike our Slippers which among the richer sort are finely embroidered with Gold When they go abroad they wrap about them a kind of a Toilet in the nature of a Cloak some of which are very rich and amount to a great price The Mahometan Women wear very fine Wast-coats under their Shifts which are made of Muslin and reach only to the Wast round which they wrap a piece of Stuff which comes down quite to their Feet one corner of it turning upwards all along the Back over the Head Some of these Ladies who are of a freer Carriage than the rest make use of the same Dress with the Men except that their Smock-Sleeves come but just to the Elbow their Arms being for the rest adorn'd with Bracelets of Diamonds and Gold and Silver Locks and Chains which they also wear round their Ankle-bones they seldom walk without Pattins because they judge it a great advantage to appear tall They have Holes both in their Ears and Nostrils in which they put Rings They wear also many of them on their Fingers and among the rest one with a small Looking-glass in it which serves them to contemplate themselves The Pagan Women go with their Faces uncovered but the Mahometans never without a Vail The Indian Women are generally very neat but especially in their Hair which are always very fine and dress'd with rich Perfumes The Pagan Women but especially among the Parsis are much more careless in their Dress than the Mahometans but they