to make no objection to dogs being baptised, which one of the five Pandoos was bound by and washing away their sins, and that, too, the victorious Kooroos near Delhi; another gratis, a privilege not conceded to the rational legend equally authenticated, acquaints us pilgrims. The Brahmuns were only anxious that a celebrated warrior, Pooroosh Ram, that we should not molest the baboons, pea- having slain his mother, was directed by fowl and pigeons, which frequent the cliffs Siva, as an expiation, to travel till he found a and lofty trees in great numbers. The pic- fountain, the waters of which would, as an turesque appearance of the precipice above earnest of his purification from the crime of the Sooruj-Koond, is greatly enhanced by a matricide, melt an iron mace; a prodigy which brace of burgut trees, which have esta- was happily accomplished here, aud in comblished themselves in the clefts of the rock, memoration of which the place has received sending down their roots a long way for a its name, Lohagully-" the iron melter." The supply of food and water, not procurable credulous and orthodox Hindoos are assurabove. These cisterns feed a small rill, ed, and sometimes believe, that the waters which flows down the valley, and is used to still possess the same virtues, but to put them irrigate the gardens and cultivation. There to the test of experiment would be to tempt is another series of warm springs called the Mahadeva, whose temple is in such awkward Keroree or Kerowlee Gunga, about 2 coss proximity, that the god could hardly fail to from Oodehpoor towards the fort of Kot, hear, see and revenge the words and actions but these I did not visit; they form a por- of so impertinent a sceptic. But the spirit of tion of the pilgrims circuit, and are said David Hume rests not at Lohagully, and to be warmer than those of Lohagully. The though the Hindoo may be persuaded that latter, I understand, had a temperature of the age of miracles is past, it is still quite 99 at one period of the cold season. Various possible that the waters should retain their fables are current among the Hindoos ac- pristine power of purifying from sin, which counting for the origin of the estimation in I myself am nearly convinced they actually which those springs are now held; one tra- do, which myriads of weary pilgrims never dition assures the pilgrim that their waters doubted in their lives, and never will.miraculously dissolved the iron fetters by Delhi Gazette. ACHEEN IN 1704. Acheen in the N. W. end of Sumatra, is the officers, whose province it is to settle the metropolis of a kingdom of that name in preliminaries; which is only a formal oath to latitude 5 deg. 20 min. N.-A port very consi- observe the articles, made between the Comderable for the great quantities of goods pany and the Acheens, by Mr. Henry Grey; sent yearly thither from all parts of India; and to be faithful to the King and country whence returns are made chiefly in gold- during their stay. This is administered by dust: they have camphir and sapan wood; the Shabander, or his chief officer's lifting, but what the whole country produces is so very respectfully, a short dagger in a gold inconsiderable, as not to amount to the value case, like a sceptre, three times to their of one ship's cargo in a year. The commo- heads; and is called receiving the chop for dities imported are opium, saltpetre, rice, trade. It ought to be performed by the gragee or buffalos butter turned to oil; and all vest, most knowing, and men of the best sorts of cotton and silk manufactures from appearance: in consideration of the ill conBengal. Tobacoo, onions, calico and muslin, sequences, a false step in the beginning especially brown and blue long cloths, and might render one liable to in managing one's sallampores, with several sorts of chintz, for affairs at court afterwards. The Company clouts, and sometimes gunpowder from had formerly a factory here; but not answerMadras; and from Surat the Moors employing the end, it was recall'd; to this day they two large ships a year to import the produce have great privileges, which if an Englishof that country; besides, the Chinese glut the man would enjoy, he must pass for one bemarket with their commodities; nor are the longing immediately to them. Other nations Malays themselves wanting in trade with pay five to eight per cent, custom on their large prows to Pegu, Quedah, Jahore, and all cargoes, as they can agree with the Shabantheir own coasts: whence they are plentifully der; the way of late is so much on the whole : supplied with several necessaries, they other. But the English are at no other charge than wise must want: as ivory, bees-wax, mortivan the usual presents to the King and courtiers, and small jars, pepper, &c. This last is the amounting to sixteen or seventeen tale in the proper growth of the Island but not of this part whole, viz., two pieces of fine cotton cloth at of it. On the arrival of a ship, the Shabander the first coming, and two more on departure must be applied to for the liberty to trade. At to the King: to the eunuch that delivers the the great Qualas river or mouth, those that are first present, two or three tale, and about two first ashore are examined by the guards, who tale to him that delivers the last: for the presently give notice of their coming, to the four first boat-loads of goods you send ashore, one tale and half as an acknowledg-wherefore we ought to have our own in good ment for custom; and two pieces of calico repair for that purpose. Mr. Delton has large of silk to the Shabander, and head oronkoy or ones, and may accommodate us: but 'tis not chief minister of state, which are to be deli- good to rely on courtesy. In buying and vered with the first present that is sent the selling, we ought to mention what catty we King; these give each a fat capon in return. must receive or deliver goods by, as well as If one would be very exact, I am told, 'tis what rate we must receive or pay gold at, five tale fees, two pieces of tafita of two tale which is much oftener used in merchandizeach to the Shabander, and two more to ing, than the coin of the country: especially the head oronkoy. The next step to be made in considerable bargains. To receive a thouis the taking a house to land, and secure sand pounds in gold mace would be an endgoods in, which may be had from eight to less trouble: conterfeit ones in silver, brass, sixteen tale a month; they are generally out and mixed metals being so common, that 'tis of repair, unless by good fortune one can impossible to avoid them, tho' we have one or meet with them just left by some other mer- two money changers to examine them for us: chant. They are raised on posts about three They judge of them by their sound on the foot from the ground, which the constant rains bottom of a wooden dish, and are so nice, that and floods make absolutely necessary; for in a hundred, they often refuse sixty, otherwise there would be no living in them which the next takes after the same manner, above one quarter in a year; their floors, leaving above half for bad; tho' it may be, partitions, and side, are of split bamboos, what he has made choice of, are not a jot betand the midlle parts of cocoa-nut branches; ter than the rest: however, if any are received and thatched with rushes, cocoa, or palmeto by these fellow's advice that prove so base, as leaves, thick enough to keep out the wea- to be refused by every body, they are obliged ther. This is but an ordinary security against to give good ones for them; in considerthieves, who are a plentiful cattle in all the ation of which, they are often honester than "Tis an easy Malay countries, notwithstanding the seve- otherwise they would be. rity of their laws; wherefore the servants, or matter to cheat 5 or 6 per cent. in gold dust, some of the ship's company, ought always to be by mixing small bits of other metals with on the watch, to prevent any designs of that it, which none but men of experience and nature on the house: besides, it is but ne-judgment can detect: wherefore 'tis advisacessary, that they be very apprehensive of ble to have one of these examiners by at all fire, which often makes strange havock among receipts, who probably may discover those these reedy buildings. Cur dogs are in defects we over-look, and often hinder our great esteem, more for the baseness of their being imposed on. I know not if they are acnatures than any excellency in them; these countable for all the damage we receive in upon the least appearance of a stranger, pre-bad gold, it is but reasonable they should: sently set up a howling, by which means their since they are as capable of abusing us in this masters know of the approach of their friends as in money. Though gold is found here in or enemies; for the houses are joined as in greater quantities than at any place I know, other cities, but palisadoed every one by it- yet the demand for it keeps it at a very high self; except in two or three of the chief streets, rate. The current price, June 1704, was tale where the bazar is kept, and the China camp, 7. 2. per buncall of loz. 10 dwt. 21 gr. the curor street where the Chinese live. Eoropeans rent exchange from fort St. George is 2 pagolive as near one another as they can, and though das a tale, which is not so much by 24 fanhams their houses do not join, yet a few bamboos per buncall as the gold will produce in the only part their yards: whence they have mint, for it generally, holds out above 94 matt, a long street near the river wholly to them- or 92 touch, and makes a buncall worth 14 selves. Every one keeps what fire-arms he pagodas, 33 fanhams, 48 cash. can muster in some convenient place, for his security, which otherwise would be in danger from the treachery of the common people; notwithstanding the strictest orders from court to the contrary. A thief detected, is punished with the loss of a member, from a finger to an arm, and banished to some of the Islands off the Head: Pulo Gomes, and Pulo Wary are the chief receptacles of these unfortunate wretches, whence they often return to the city, and are common in the streets without hands or arms; the greatest badge of infamy. Criminals for capital crimes are frequently put to death; but I could never learn their way of proceeding to condemnation, or execution: yet do believe them to be very expeditious after the eastern way, in them both. Here are no boats, as at other ports, to be hired for unloading or shiping off goods, A merchant of Madras let out pagodas 1000 at 16 per cent. Respondentia on the Stretham, for this place, which he received in gold dust at the above rate, and lost 18 per cent. on it in Malacca: betwixt which markets there is often a greater disproportion in the value of gold. The camphir this country affords, is found among the Sindy Islands only, and is often a told it serves as a leaven to ripen or prepare proper commodity for China, where I am common sort, that our apothecaries are supplied with, which is not above one fortieth part of the value of Acheen or Borneo camphir. We had a considerable quantity on board for Canton; but could not get within thirty per cent. of the prime cost; however we were obliged to sell all but 12 catty, which afterward turned to a good account in Persia, where we had above four shillings and six pence per oz. for it: It is usually packed in bamboos to keep it from the air, a pound or two in each. The best sort is in small bits or scales, very white and transparent; but the common is like large sea-sand in form and colour. We paid for the head 41, belly 4, and four tale a catty Mallay for the worst sort, which is above half a crown an ounce; if we value the tale as the Company formerly did in their books. always delivered three chests to a bahar, Money changing is a great trade, whence we are sure to meet with abundance of that proGreat traders have large ovens, or blind- fession at their stations up and down the houses to secure their finest goods in, from town, especially at the corners of streets; fire, which sometimes comes with that vio- where they sit with large heaps of leaden case, lence, they have scarce time to stop them on matts spread on the ground before them. before the flames are about their ears. Some I could never learn the profits of this busiof them are as large as the common shops in ness: whether they have so much per cent. London, arched about 8 foot high, and are the of the Government for putting them off, or do only houses (I may call them) built with brick buy them of others at a cheap rate, I know or stone in all the city. The entrance is very not; but 'tis certain, their gain is very connarrow, and three or four foot high, to which siderable, else they could not keep their they have a large stone always ready fitted families out of it; some of them not changing a tale in a day. They have all sorts handyto stop on occasion: besides the door that secures it against thieves. If we craft trades among them, as in other cities; but go to buy goods, or pay a visit, 'tis much but not workman enough to make any thing fit for they will lead us to their ovens, or ware-houses exportation; the goldsmiths are such banfor assortment, or to satisfy our curiosities glers that I never saw the least touch of ingewith a sight of the greater part of their wealth,nuity come from their hands, though they are every thing being set in the best order for appearance. common Seven value of it, considering 1 or 2 per cent. is most of them Indians from the Coromandel coast, and Surat; where the goldsmiths work with the greatest curiosity and niceness imaIn money, 1,400 to 1,600 cash are a mace, ginable. Masoning is what they understand or 15d. English, as the Company formerly least; nor are there many tailors. A blacksmith reckoned it. 1,500 is the number allowed in will have two, sometimes three heats to make accounts. A quarter of a mace is called a a sprig of two inches long. If they are dexpollam or copong, imaginary. 16 mace is one terous in any thing, it is building; for with tale. The tale is imaginary likewise, as a bamboos they'll run up a house beyond credit: pound in England; and as 15d. per mace, amounts to the same exactly. This I have we stay'd here but 13 days, and in that time, I saw one begun, and almost finished, that known allowed when there has been a ne- would yield nine or ten tale a month. They cessity for reducing it into English money know but little of turning or carving: nor do but it is a very uncertain calculation: nor I remember to have seen any thing of that can I think of a juster way than by computing nature about their houses, boats, or prows. a buncall of gold at the price current, which These are well built, and proper for the uses makes it 17s. 4d. at 41. an ounce; the full they put them to. The prows will carry fourteen or fifteen ton, and are chiefly employed in profitable voyages to the coasts of Pegu, Malaca, &c. But their flying prows are only for fishing, coasting, and visiting the islands The buncall Pz. 1oz. 10dwt. 21gr. is divided thereabout. Sometimes, I am told, they run into fractional parts, as and Some-out to the Nicobar islands, which is the longtimes 5 tale weight are reckoned a buncall; est trip they make. These are so narrow, two but I never saw it used otherwise than in men cannot stand a breast in the widest part the even parts as above, 20 buncalls are 1 of them; the bottom is a long canoe, or tree catty Mallay of 30oz. 17dwt. 12gr. troy, or 21 hollow'd without a keel, the sides are raised 1oz. 13dms. avoirdupoise. 200 catty Malay with planks about 3 felt above it, bending a is 1 bahar of 422l. 15oz. One and half China little inward, till near the top, where it turns catty is commonly reckoned 1 catty Malay, out bell-wise. The planks within half a foot which brings three pecul China equal to a of each end are left as sharp as possible, not bahar, but should one buy after that rate, one pointed like a wherry, but perpendicular should be above 261. loser in every bahar, an edge; the canoe juts out beyond the other for three China pecul will not hold out above part of the vessel, and when laden is quite 3961. This is a very necessary caution; since under water; the rudder is like a wooden I have known several sufferers, through knife, with which they steer very dexterously; neglect in examining the disproportion in to keep them upright, they have out-layers on these weights; however, here may be several each side, with planks of light wood at the things governed by custom, where 'tis in ends of them, which secure them so well from vain to contend for the reasonable part; as over-setting, that they will bear the greatest Madras, China, and Japan copper are always sea, and when an English pinnace with two delivered four chests, of each a pecul, to a sails will go five miles an hour, these with a Opium is small one will run a dozen. candy, which is 5281. for 500l. Europeans often go out in the night to shoot brought to Madras, but never come to a great wild hogs, sometimes with success. Hog price. deer are common in the bazar; these the country people catch in burrows in the woods; they are about the size of rabbits, hog-headed, and shank'd and hoof'd like deer; their hocks are often tipt with silver for tobacco-stoppers. In this animal is found the bitter bezoar, called Pedra de Porco Siacca, valued at ten times its weight in gold; they are oftener found about Bencallis than any where else, whence the Dutch of Malacca get them in their trade thither. They are of a dark brownish colour, smooth on the out-side; but the first coat being broken, they appear darker and stringy underneath, they swim on the water, and by infusion only, make it extremely bitter to it are attributed the virtues of cleansing the stomach, creating an appetite, and sweetening the blood. I have been told there are stones bred in the maws of the Nicobar pigeons not inferior to the bitter bezoars, in several cases. The fruits of this country are all the sorts. that are common in other parts of India, in the greatest perfection; as oranges, pumplenuses, mangusteens, mangoes, plaintains, cocoa-nuts, jakes, lymes, pine-apples, water-mellons, pomegranates, guavas, durians &c. Yet I do not think they are to be used with freedom, as in more healthful places, where they are less delicious; a severe flux being often the consequence of an immoderate use of the fruits of this kingdom. Goat and false bezoar of Surat and the Malabar coast, are so often called porcupine and monkey bezoar, that several people of good intelligence have confounded the one with the other: the porcupine bezoar is found in the maw of that animal among the Spice islands. It is reddish, and full of short transparent veins, something like the red sort of marble; it is used by infusion, and turns the water bitter; but does not waste itself like the bitter bezoar of Siacca : it sinks to the bottom, and must lie a considerable time before the necessary virtues can be extracted. The monkey bezoar is of a bright green colour, and bears a greater lustre than goat bezoar; it is taken in powder, and reputed a very high cordial: some of them will weigh half an ounce, which is valued at forty or fifty rupees. Whereas the best oriental bezoar that is usually brought home from Surat, called monkey bezoar, because of its length, is bought for 2 to three rupees per tola, or 6 to 7 rupees an ounce. Whether it is the moistness of the air, that renders our bodies liable to that distemper, or what else may be the cause, I know not; but it is certain, there are several places where it is scarce known; though they live ever so intemperate, expose themselves to the greatest heats and cold, and enjoy the fruits of the country without the least regard to health. Gombroon in Persia has recovered those who have almost despaired; but I could never hear of any one who made his exit of that distemper got there. The mould of this part of the island being deep and pregnant, affords great variety of trees, and shrub wood for timber and firing, of which I know so little, that it is not worth while to enter into a particular discourse of them. Silk-cotton trees grow in the back and in gardens of the town. They are large, tall, smooth rinded, ash coloured, and thick of the fruit, which hang down from the boughs like so many purses, three or four inches long. They grow in a more regular manner than other trees. The lower branches are always bigger and longer than the rest, shooting forth three or four at one height round the trunk; and four or five feet higher are many more; but the distance is not so great near the top. through it, having on all sides rows of black seeds like vetches, or pepper wrapt up in the cotton, which nature seems to have designed for their preservation. When the cotton, or rather down, is ripe, the wind shakes down the pods; wherefore the ground is always thick of them; for it is not worth gathering, being of so little use as to There are other bezoars, as cow's, camel's, bear no price in the bazar. If any one wants elephant's, and bezoar de Cobra Capella, of all a bed or quilt to be stuffed with it, he usually these I brought with me to England; but do picks it up, or hires one to do it for him, believe, what is sold in Surat for cow's and wherever he can find it. The shell or case camel's bezoar, is no other than a composi-opens first near the stem, which runs quite tion; however, Chinese are very fond of it, and prefer it to the best goat bezoar; though it bears not a quarter the price in the countries, where they are both found. The elephant, and cobra-capel (or hooded snake) bezoar is brought from the coast of Zanquebar about Mombas, and Melinde in Africa. To the former are attributed the virtues of goat bezoar; but being very rare, it is of greater value. They are bought and hoarded up by great and speculative men: therefore seldom or never to be found among the brokers in the bazars. Some of them will weigh nine or ten ounces: but for an account of the virtues, and a description of the bezoar de cobra-capel, I recommend the reader to Mr. Tavener's travels. The natives are Malayans, who speak that language in perfection, which is very copious and fluent, as I have it from those who are masters of it. They are hard favoured, and have flattish faces, something after the China make, but of very dark complexions; they oil their bodies often, and smell disagreeably with it; their teeth are blackened by art: they are of a middle stature, proud and lazy, especially the meaner sort, though they are better set, and of stronger growth than the Indians of the Coromandel coast, of whom here are so many, slaves to the great men and merchants, Here are good serviceable little horses, that it is a difficult matter to distinguish them rarely above thirteen hands; they are often from the free subjects; for they are treated ла Two days before our arrival, a Moorman (or a Mahomedan born in the Mogul's dominions) in the king's service, was accused before the Shabander, for attempting sodomy on a Malayan boy; he was summoned once or twice, but refused to appear; upon this, half a dozen of the guards were ordered to bring him alive or dead; they met him in the European street, half drunk, obstinate and unarmed, they did not stand long to convince him of his error in contemning their master's commands; but immediately cut him down with their scimitars; he fell against Captain Murvil's gate, where the blood was scarce dry when I saw it; had he got into the Englishman's yard, they would scarce have attempted his life, but what became of the business afterwards I know not. All dispatches and decisions of controversies in merchandize, are in the Shabander's commission; wherefore it is always advisable to keep fair with him. rather like friends and companions than a turban, or instead of it a scull cap, and a servants, by their masters, who value them- small clout to cover their nakedness; the selves on their justice to, and number of them. better sort wear long-drawers, and a piece of To these the Acheenes owe the greatest part of silk, or wrought calico, thrown loose over their husbandry in managing their crops of their shoulders. They go bare footed for the paddy, or rice, which was hardly known on most part; some will use sandals, but they this part of the island, till these were driven find them very troublesome in long walks: hither by famine from Fort St. David, and a sandal is a piece of thin board, about the other places on the Coromandel coast. There length and breadth of one's foot, raised at are not a sharper, wiser people in general, and each end with a little bit of wood to the more addicted to trade than the Malayans, height of our shoe-heels; and in the forewherefore they have full power to exercise part a small peg comes up betwixt the great their talents, every one as his genius leads and second toes, to keep it from falling off. him, without molestation or hindrance from They are at present under the Government of his master; but rather has encouragement a king, which has not been long: I know not and assistance in money and credit; they keep if he is ruled by the Oronkoys, as the queens a just account of all their dealings, and the used to be. These are twelve lords, who are master comes in for a part of the profit, who is all absolute in their precincts; but the Shaalso executor at their decease. They do not bander makes the greatest figure. The followlive with him; but up and down the town ing is an instance of his power and authority. and country in houses, and plantations of their own; where they taste but little more of slavery than the name. Unless they prove ignorant, simple fellows or knaves, who are but one degree better than beasts of burthen, and then they are made such. I cannot tell if they are obliged to be of their master's religion, which is Mahomedanism after the Arabs. They have several mosques (which I had forgot when I mentioned the ovens only to be built with brick or stone) built with strong stone walls to perform their devotions in, where I have heard them at prayers all the night long. Hence I am apt to think there is no particular hour appointed for the meeting of a congregation; nor did I perceive them more reserved in their behaviours on Fridays, their sabbaths, than at other times. They are punctual in washing at certain hours, which they think also very wholesome for the body, even when severely afflicted with the diseases of the country, especially fevers Malayans at work or play, are never dressed and fluxes; but agues are rather confirmed than decreased by it. These are the distempers till their naked daggers are in their girdles: that chiefly reign here, often got by intem- nor do they ever walk abroad without swords perance, sleeping in the air, to the sorrow of and targets, or other weapons in their hands, many a boon companion, who, in spite of besides the daggers. admonition, has given himself up to riot, and lost his life for a frolick. Here are great dews, and the air is so chilly, though near the line, that I could afford to sleep in a close chamber on a bed, and covered with a thick quilt, which in an other place, of a much higher latitude, would have been enough to have stifled me. Frequent squalls in the driest season, make it troublesome walking in the streets; for, being on level ground without stones, they are soon trod to mortar. These storms are often accompanied with thunder and lightning, and continue very fierce for half an hour, more or less. Our English sailors call them sumatras, because they always meet with them on the coast of this island. I was not here in the rains or wet season; but from others I have a melancholy idea of it. For sometimes the floods are high enough to bear a pinnace in the streets, and soon after too shallow for a canoe: yet deep enough to keep Europeans to their houses. Their common dress is a piece of blue calico, wrapped in a roll round their heads for They look on all Europeans with a jealous eye: I think with justice too, considering their neighbours have been such great sufferers by them. They will not allow the Dutch to trade in their port, but on extravagant terms; wherefore they are And though the seldom visited by them. English have a free trade, it is so precarious, as to be disputed on every alteration in the Government, which of late has been very uncertain. The following privileges have always been confirmed to the English, ever since Mr. Grey was chief of the Company's factory. I. That they have free liberty to buy, sell, barter, tarry, or depart from Acheen at their own pleasure. II. That they pay no other custom on goods imported or exported, but the ordinary duty of the chop. III. In case of any ship-wreck in any part of these dominions, the subjects shall assist, and restore whatever is saved to the owners, and none of the men be enslaved according to the laws of the country. |