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though a laughing, are not a fat, people.

The costume of the CochinChinese may be described in a few words. The subject is more de serving of attention, in that it also presents them to us in a peculiar light different from that under which their neighbours appear. Though living not only in a mild, but warm climate, the partiality for dress is universal. There is no one, however mean, but is clothed at least from the head to the knee, and if their dress is not always of the smartest, it is owing more to their poverty than to their want of taste. Nor is it comfort or convenience alone that they study. They are not above the vanity of valuing themselves on the smartness of their dress; a failing which often leads them into extravagance. You will often see a well-dressed man without a single quhan in his possession.

The principal and most expensive article in their dress is the turban. That of the men is made of black crape, of the women of blue. On occasions of mourning, it is made of white crape.

A loose jacket, somewhat resembling a large shirt, but with wide sleeves, reaching nearly to the knee, and buttoning on the right side, constitutes the principal covering of the body. Two of these, the under one of white silk, are generally worn, and they increase the number according to their circumstances and the state of the weather. Women wear a dress but little different from this, though lighter, and both wear a pair of wide pantaloons, of various colours. The dress of the poorer class is made of coarse cotton, but this is not very common, coarse silks being more in vogue. Those

of China and Tonquin are worn by the more opulent classes. Shoes, also, are worn only by the wealthy, and are of Chinese manufacture, elogs, in fact, rather than shoes.

The Cochin-Chinese have neither religious instruction nor instructors, priests, nor any body of men whose function is to encourage its cultivation, or by their conduct to set an example to the great body of the people. Every man is free to act in this matter as he thinks fit. The better sort affect to follow the precepts of Confucius. The theism of the Chinese is as cold-hearted and unaccompanied by feeling, as it is crude, undefined, and uncertain in its principles. It appears to have no effect whatever on their conduct, nor do they entertain any intelligible notions on the subject. It would appear to be fashionable to profess it; but they neither talk of it nor have any means of knowing what fashion, perhaps, alone induces them to profess. Their religion, if it is ever thought of, consists in the ceremony of placing on a rude altar some bits of meat and a few straws covered with the dust of scented wood, or in scattering to the winds a few scraps of paper covered with gold foil; or in sticking a piece of writing on a post or door, or to a tree. You inquire in vain for the motives of such acts. The objects of their fear are as numerous as they are hideous. One form of superstition is observed by sea-faring people, another by those who live upon the coast, and a different form by those inhabiting agricultural districts.

Thus, if not absolutely without religion, the Cochin-Chinese can scarcely be said to derive moral feeling from this source. It may, perhaps, with truth be observed,

that it is better that a people should have no religion than a false one. The nation in question will furnish an argument in favour of this opinion. It might be supposed that the first, the necessary consequence of the want of religion, would be a total disregard of right and wrong this, however, is not the case, for, in many respects, the Cochin-Chinese are superior to their neighbours, who are devoted to their national religion. If they are destitute of that aid which is derived from true religion, they are likewise free from the degrading trammels of a false one. A more direct engine than that of religion itself, has modified, if not formed, the moral character of the people; it is that of an avaricious, illiberal, and despotic government, the effect of which, so sedulously pursued through a course of ages, it is melancholy and revolting to human nature to contemplate. It has involved the whole body of the people in perpetual and insurmountable poverty; it has debased the mind; it has destroyed every generous feeling; it has crushed in the bud the early aspirations of genius; it has cast a blasting influence over every attempt at improvement. Such being the character of the government, it will not appear surprising that the moral character of the people should in many respects be brutalized. What is defective in their character has been occasioned by perpetual slavery and oppression; yet notwithstanding all this, they display traits of moral feeling, ingenuity, and acuteness, which, under a liberal government, would seem capable of raising them to an elevated rank amongst nations. But they are perpetually reminded of the slavery under which they

exist; the bamboo is perpetually at work, and every petty, paltry officer, every wretch who can claim precedence over another, is at liberty to inflict lashes on those under him. But the tameness with which they submit to this degrading discipline, alike applicable to the people as to the military, is the most extraordinary circumstance. Their obedience is unlimited, nor do they, by word or by action, manifest the slightest resistance to the arbitrary decisions of their tyrants. It will not appear surprising that this system should render them cunning, timid, deceitful, and regardless of truth; that it should make them conceited, impudent, clamorous, assuming, and tyrannical, where they imagine they can be so with impunity. Their clamorous boldness is easily seen through, and the least opposition or firmness reduces them to the meanest degree of submission and fawning.

Such are the more revolting traits in their character: they are in a great measure counter-balanced by a large share of others that are of a more amiable stamp. They are mild, gentle, and inoffensive in their character, beyond most nations. Though addicted to theft, the crime of murder is almost unknown amongst them. To strangers, they are affable, kind, and attentive; and in their conduct they display a degree of genuine politeness and urbanity quite unknown to the bulk of the people in other parts of India. They are besides lively

*In their persons, the Cochin-Chinese are far from being a cleanly people. Many of their customs are, in fact, extremely disgusting. Those ablutions so much practised by all the Western Asiatics, are here unknown; and their dress is not once washed from the time it is first put on, till it is no longer fit for use.

and good-humoured, playful, and obliging. Towards each other, their conduct is mild and unassuming, but the omission of accustomed forms or ceremonies, the commission of the slightest fault, imaginary or real, is followed by immediate punishment. The bamboo is the universal antidote against all their failings. Like the Chinese, this nation is addicted to the worship of ancestors, and reveres the memory of relations. This may, in fact, be considered as the only trait of religion that exists amongst them. Whatever may have been its origin, whether, like most institutions of a similar nature, it has degenerated into a set and formal ceremony that touches not the heart, we ought perhaps to consider it as of an amiable nature. The political aim of the institution, the only one of the kind in which the government

There appears but little ground for an opinion commonly entertained of this people, that they are dissolute, and that female virtue is held in little repute. The conduct of both sexes in public is altogether correct and decorous. The frailties of married women are said to be

looked upon by all ranks with the greatest
indignation and abhorrence, while the
punishment awarded by the laws amounts
to the greatest, and even to revolting,
severity. With respect to unmarried
women, the greatest liberty is conceded
in matters of this sort, nor does even
public opinion oppose the smallest ob-
stacle to the freest indulgence of their
inclinations. The utmost degree of
liberty is conceded to them, and the
connexions they form with their male
acquaintances, whether temporary or
durable, whatever consequence may
follow, is in no manner prejudicial to
the woman's future prospects, nor is she
the less respected by her future husband.
The lesser chiefs make no scruple in
giving their daughters, for a sum of
money, to any one who is to reside for
a short time in the country. Indeed,
there seems to be little other ceremony
in matrimonial treaties than that of giv-
ing.

takes a part, inculcating it strongly upon the minds of the people, is

not to be overlooked. It is that of preventing its subjects from going abroad, and thereby contributing to retain them in a state of ignorance and slavery.

The Cochin-Chinese are more industrious than we should be apt to suspect, considering the oppressive nature of the government. Where the government interferes but little, as in the fisheries on the coast, their industry is indeed very conspicuous, and there seems every reason to believe that, were they freed from oppression, they would be equally so in other branches. They are capable of supporting a large share of fatigue; and the quantum of daily labour, as for instance in the operation of rowing, or of running, is in general very considerable. But the greatest obstacle to the development of industry proceeds from the oppressive nature of the military system, by which about two-thirds of the male population are compelled to serve as soldiers, at a low and inadequate rate of pay. Of all the grievances they labour under, it would appear that they consider this the most oppressive. It not only takes from agriculture and other occupations, the hands necessary for such labours, but by the idle habits which the military service generates in the men, it renders them unfit to return to that condition of life. The consequence of this system may easily be conjectured, though not perhaps to the full extent. Almost all kinds of labour are performed by women, whom it is not unusual to see guiding the plough and sowing the seed. Besides, the labour of women is paid at an equal rate The daily with that of the men. wages for either is one mas and

their food, or two mas, without it. Another great evil arising out of the military system of levy, consists in the destruction of family connexions and ties. From the age of seventeen to twenty, a selection of the youth is made for military service, from which there is no retiring until age or infirmity has rendered them incapable of further service. It is true that, from time to time, they are allowed to return to their homes on leave of absence; but it is to be feared that a temporary residence of this nature affords a feeble barrier to the unsocial tendency of the system.

But in order to form correct notions of the effect of the military system, we ought to know precisely the proportion taken out of a certain number of the people. This proportion, however, has been so differently stated by different persons, that it is extremely difficult to assume any degree of probability on the subject. It has been stated that usually two-thirds of the male population from twenty to fifty are taken. It should be observed that the French gentlemen state that,

in general, one-third of the soldiers are on leave of absence.

The answers to our inquiries respecting the population of the country, or of any particular town or district, have been attended with the same degree of uncertainty, and therefore I have for the most part passed the subject over in silence. It has rarely happened that we have had an opportunity of conversing with persons sufficiently enlightened to possess correct notions on this subject; and it seems very doubtful if any exact data, calculated to provide an accurate estimate of the amount, are in the possession even of the government. The French gentlemen, speaking from conjecture, estimated the population of the kingdom at 10,000,000. French writers have estimated it at three times that amount. It is agreed by all, that Tonquin is more populous than Cochin-China. The gold and silver mines alone of that country give employment to no less than 10,000 industrious Chinamen, with their families.

DESCRIPTION of the Crry of HAVANA.

[From Howison's Foreign Scenes and Travelling Recreations.] THE city of Havana lies near the western extremity of Cuba; its fine harbour, extensive trade, prodigious wealth, and great population, render it the most important and interesting town in the West Indies, and the key of the rich and noble island upon which it is situated. Havana is fortified in such a manner as to be impregnable, except at its back part, which, however, is accessible only by a circuitous route through the woods. In 1762 the city was taken by VOL. LXVII.

lord Albemarle, after a siege of twenty-nine days; but several new batteries have been erected since that time, and it now seems doubtful whether an enemy could get possession of it, except by treachery.

The entrance to the harbour is defended by two forts, and is so narrow, that not more than one vessel can safely pass at a time. The fort on the east side is named the Morro, and that on the west the Punta, and both mount a large P*

number of heavy guns, and completely command the adjacent seas: On the top of the former is a light-house and watch-tower, in which a person stands from sunset to sunrise, and hails every vessel that approaches, demanding of what nation she is, whence she comes, and of what her cargo consists: and any ship-master who does not hoist his flag, or refuses to answer these questions, is fired upon and severely fined. Formerly, during war, a very strong iron chain was drawn across the mouth of the harbour, and the stanchions to which its extremities were attached still remain.

On rounding the Morro castle, and entering the harbour, an interesting scene presents itself. In front one sees a forest of masts, surmounted with the flags of all nations, and vessels of every description, from the ship of war to the coasting-sloop, lie at anchor around him. On one side a high ridge of rocks, crowned with formidable batteries, extends along the water's edge; and on the other are clusters of houses fancifully painted and adorned with verandas, terraces, and balconies, where groups of Spanish ladies sit enjoying the sea-breeze, and slaves stroll idly waiting their master's call. A little way off, the antique towers of a convent rise with sober majesty, and, in the distance, spires of various architecture project into the clear balmy atmosphere above, while the deep tolling of their bells comes upon the ear with varying loudness. Small boats with painted awnings glide about in every direction, conveying people to and from the different vessels; and the snatches of barbarous Spanish, which reach the ear as they pass and repass, forcibly

remind the stranger that he is in a foreign land. But the vessel in which he is a passenger has scarcely time to let down her anchor before the custom-house barge, decorated with the national flag and manned by ten rowers, comes alongside. Her commander steps on board, and requests the manifest and a list of the crew, talks broken English, asks the latest foreign news, and struts about en cavalier, while his dark-complexioned attendants remain in the boat, and direct significant glances to the captain of the ship, until he orders them their usual gratuity. The health-officer next makes his appearance, and inquires if there are any sick persons on board, and examines the passports, and, finally, declares that the whole of the ship's company are at liberty to go on shore.

The wharfs at Havana are very extensive and commodious. Vessels lay with their bows towards them, and are so numerous and so close together, that a small boat can scarcely find room to make a landing. The moment a person steps on the quay, he is besieged with crowds of watermen, who offer their services to all who pass along; and with the greater facility, as it is impossible to walk fast, on account of the piles of boxes, bales, and casks, that everywhere obstruct the way. Large vessels are daily loading and unloading; and this labour is performed chiefly by blacks, who, covered with dust and perspiration, hurry through their work, shouting and singing all the while. The heat of the sun and the reflection from the harbour are ncarly insupportable, and the hubbub that prevails, and the frightful figures that create it, make the

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