1681. No body can reproach the King and the Beggar. Because the former is above the slander of the People, and nothing can be said bad enough of the latter: Like Noia and Polonga. Denoting Irreconcileable Enemies. The story of which two Serpents hath been related before. He that hath Money to give to his Judge, needs not fear, be his Cause right or wrong. Because of the corruption of the great Men, and their greediness of Bribes. If our Gerehah, fortune be bad, what can God do against it? Reckoning that none of their Gods have Power to reverse the fate of an ill Planet. The Ague is nothing, but the Head-ach is all. That Countrey is very subject to Agues, which do especially afflict their heads who have them. I might multiply many more of their Proverbial sayings, but let these suffice. I cannot pretend to give an account of the Grammar of this Tongue. I shall only give a few instances of their [p. 108.] words, and leave it to the Learned to make their Conjectures. First, I will give you some of their Nouns Plural. But usually when they have occasion to speak of many they express themselves by Numerals set after the Noun; as Dissawva two, three, &c. An Egg, Bittera, Eggs, Bittera cattei, word for word, Egg many. Their Verbs they form after this manner: Upaudénowa, The Resurrec- Na & Natti, No, or not. tion. I shall only make one Observation from these words, and that is concerning the four first. It is this, that they have no words of their own Language for God and Heaven, but in all probability borrowed them from the Portugueze. But for the two next, The Devil and Hell, words of their own. They number thus, Chap. X. Concerning their Learning, Astronomy, and 1681. Heir Learning is but small. All they of their Their Books are only of their Religion Their Books, and of Physick. Their chief Arts are Astronomy and and Arts. Magick. They have a Language something differing from the vulgar tongue (like Latin to us) which their Books it are writ in. They learn to write upon Sand, spreading How they the ground, and making it smooth with the hand, learn to write. and so write the letters with their fingers to bring their hand upon in use. They write not on Paper, for of that they have little or none; but on a Talli-pot leaf with an Iron Bodkin, which makes an impression. This leaf thus written on, is not folded, but rolled up like Ribbond, and somewhat resembles Parchment. write a Book. If they are to write a Book, they do it after this manner. How they They take the Tallipot leaf, and cut it into divers pieces make and of an equal shape and size, some a foot, some eight inches, some a foot and an half long, and about three fingers broad. Then having thus prepared the leaves, they write in them long ways from the left hand to the right, as we do. When the Book is finished they take two pieces of board, which are to serve for the cover of the Book. To these boards [p. 110.] are fastened two strings, which do pass thro every leaf of the Book, and these tye it up fast together. As the Reader hath read each leaf, he lifts it up, and lays it by still hanging upon the strings, and so goes to the next leaf, something The Priests resembling Bills filed upon Wyre. write Books The Gonnies, who are men of leisure, write many Books of Bonna. 1681. The King's Warrants how wrapped up. They write upon two sorts of leaves. Their Skill in Their Almanacks. They pretend to know by the Stars. of Bonna, that is of the Ceremonies of their Religion: and will sometimes carry them to great Men, as a present, and do expect a reward. The King when he sends any Warrants or Orders to his Officers, hath his Writings wrapped up in a way proper to himself, and none else do or may fold up their leaves in that manner but He. They write upon the Tallipat leaves Records or matters of great moment, or that are to be kept and preserved: but for any ordinary business as Letters, &c. they commonly use another leaf, called Taulcole. The leaves of which will bear a better impression than the Tallipat, but they are more stubborn, and harder than the other, and will not fold. But to speak a little of their Astronomy. They who have understanding in it, and practise it, are the Priests of the highest Order, of which the present King's Father was. But the common sort of Astronomers are the Weavers. These men can certainly foretel Eclipses of the Sun and Moon. They make Leet, that is Almanacks that last for a Month. They are written upon a Tallipat leaf, a little above a foot long, and two fingers broad. In them are told the Age of the Moon, and the good Seasons and times to begin to Plough or to Sow, or to go a Journey, or to take any work in hand. On this precise time they will be sure to sprinkle their first Seed, tho they sow all their Field it may be a Month after. And so they will begin to set forth at the very moment, tho possibly they will not go their Journey till some days after. These Astronomers tell them also when the old year ends to the very minute. At which time they cease from future things all work, except the Kings, which must not be omitted. They acquaint them also with the good hour of the New year, they are to begin to work. At which time every Man and Woman begins to do somewhat in their employment they intend to follow the ensuing year. They have also another season directed them by their Astronomers: that is, when to begin to wash their heads, which is assigned |