Purchas his pilgrimes. part 2 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. V.

Their Gouernment described. The Iudges, Officers, Gentry, Communaltie. The King his Palace, Guard, Nobilitie, Robes, Attire, Attendance, Exercises, Riches; slaine by the Bengalans.

THe gouernment of the estate of the Maldiues is royall and very absolute and ancient; * 1.1 [ 40] the King is feared and reuerenced, and all depend of him. In each of the thirteene Can∣tons is one principall, whom they call Naybe. These Naybes or principalls of the Pro∣uinces * 1.2 are Priests and Doctors of their Law, and haue the ouersight of all that con∣cernes Religion, and instruction of the people therein, and exercise of Iustice, and command the Priests which are vnder them. These Atollons are subdiuided into many Ilands, in each of which, where there is not aboue fortie and one men, is a Doctor called Catibe, superior in the Religion * 1.3 of that Ile, who hath vnder him the particular Priests of the Moschees, all which haue care to nourish and instruct the people in the Law; and liue of a certaine portion of fruits which euery one is bound to giue them, and of certaine rents which the King giues them according to their de∣gree. * 1.4 But particularly the Naybes, besides the exercise of Religion, and authoritie which they haue, are instituted to execute and doe iustice, each in his gouernment. They are the onely [ 50] Iudges of the Country as well in matters ciuill as criminall, and if any one will haue iustice hee must goe finde out the Naybe, or attend his comming to the place. For the Naybes foure times in the yeere, go in circuit about the Ilands, each in his Iurisdiction, and make Visitations, as wel for the religion of the Priests, as for iustice. This is their greatest reuenue, for then their duties are paid them: moreouer they receiue store of Presents from many persons, whereof they are very greedie. In all the Maldiues there are no Iudges but the thirteene Naybes; for the Catibes of the Ilands, * 1.5 and the Priests of the Moschees are but for a shew.

Ouer these Naybes there is a superiour, which resides in the Ile of Male (and is euer neere his person) which is called Pandiare; who is not onely chiefe of the Religion throughout all the Realme, but also soueraigne Iudge. So that after they haue pleaded before the Naybe, if they * 1.6 [ 60] will not stand to his sentence, whether in matters ciuill or criminall, they may appeale to the Pandiare: who discides all affaires that offer themselues, taking aduise of some Naybes which are neere him, of the Catibes, graue men called Moucouris, that is Doctors and experienced men,

which are not Officers: they giue no iudgement if they be not assisted with foure or fiue of these persons at the least. These Moucouris can say all the Alcoran by heart (and all the others read it onely) besides diuers others Sciences which they know. They solemnely inuite them to * 1.7 all their Feasts, Sermons, and Ceremonies, and are greatly honoured and respected by all. There are not aboue fifteene of them in all the Ilands. The Pandiare is called Cady in the Arabick language.

Also after the iudgement of the Pandiare, one may complaine to the King, who commands, and makes iustice to be executed: and this is by six Signiors his principall Officers, who manage * 1.8 the most importune affaires of state. The Pandiare being assisted with two Catibes of the Ile of Malé, and by Naybe of the Attollon, besides some of those Doctors, goeth also to make his visita∣tion [ 10] through the Ile of Malê, as euery Naybe in his Atollon; and hee is attended with his Offi∣cers which carry a long whip to correct delinquents. Hee makes all (without exception) that meet him, to say their creed, and some prayers in the Arabick tongue, and after demands the in∣terpretation in the Maldiue language; and if they are ignorant, he causeth them to be whipt and * 1.9 scourged in the open field by his Officers. The women dare not shew themselues when hee goeth through the street, and if hee encounter any vnuailed, hee causeth her haire to be shauen.

Besides the Naybes, there is in euery Atollon a man delegated and appointed by the King to receiue and leuie his rents and reuenues. All the Iles haue each their order by Diuision and Can∣tons * 1.10 as that of Malé; there are fiue diuisions which they call Auares, and each hath a principall called Mouscouly Auare: the ancient of the diuision, and nothing is done there for the King or [ 20] the people, but they come to him. Iustice (which they call in their language Sacouest) is exercised * 1.11 in the house of the Naybe, or else in the Ile of Malé in the house of the Pandiare, and sometimes in the Kings Palace when the matter is of weight or moment. When they will begin a suit, they goe to the Iudge or Naybe, who sends one of the Sergeants (of whom there are a certaine number, called Deuanits) to make the accused partie come; and if he bee in the same Iland, hee must haue to make him come, a letter of the Naybe, by the meanes whereof he must notifie the place where * 1.12 he is, seeing that he is in the Iurisdiction of the Naybe. Or else if hee be of another Iurisdiction, the Naybe can doe nothing, but in this case he must haue letters of the Pandiare, who can make him come from any part of the Realme into the Kings Iland, where he abideth. Now they giue * 1.13 this letter to the Calibe, superior of the Ile, who in presence of them all giues it to the partie ac∣cused, [ 30] expresly charging him to goe thither: hereof they dare not faile, for they which disobey this iustice, cannot associate with any, nor goe to the Mosche, nor eate nor drinke with them, and they hold them not of their Law. If it bee so that any will not obey, or if hee be some Grande, * 1.14 the King sends his Souldiers to constraine him to come. But if hee will not plead before the Naybe, either because hee beares him ill will, or because that his partie hath too much fauour a∣gainst him, then the plaintiffe or the defendant, who is accused, goeth to find out the King, who commands that hee doe Iustice by Iudges not suspected. This they execute in the Kings house, in the presence of all the chiefe of the Iland. The parties plead their owne causes themselues. If the cause bee of fact, each bring three witnesses, and if they haue them not, the defendant is be∣leeued * 1.15 on his oath only, which they take in touching with the hand the book of their law, which [ 40] * 1.16 the Iudge presents; and then the plaintiffe if hee bee a little versed in affaires, markes scrupulous∣ly if the partie touched the booke really, and the place where he did it. If the difference bee in matter of right, they are iudged by the Law.

The Iudges take nothing for their iudgements, for nothing is due, except that the Deuonits or Sergeants haue the twelfth part of that which is due or adiudged. The Slaues cannot bee wit∣nesses, nor plead, nor make triall in iudgement; likewise in such a cause they receiue three women * 1.17 for one man. The Slaues are such as make themselues so, or such as they bring from other places ••nd sell; for shipwrackt strangers lose not the libertie which they had, if they were Slaues they remaine so. The Slaues which they call Allo, are of worst conditions. They can haue but one wife although all others haue three. Beating of a Slaue is punished with halfe that which they inflict for beating a Free-man. Debtors are constrained, if they haue nothing to pay, to yeeld [ 50] * 1.18 themselues Seruants and not Slaues, and are not vsed as such, but as naturalls of the Countrie, and serue onely their Creditors or other persons which lend them mony to discharge them, these are called Pemousere, which is to say, seruant by borrowing, and they continue thus till they are acquit∣ted, yea their children are Slaues perpetually if they pay it not. Yet when they are ill intreated, they may discharge them, ingaging themselues in the same sort to another, that lends it them: for all their seruice they are nourished and maintained, and when they die their Masters takes all that they had, and if there be not enough to satisfie him, the children must serue till hee bee paid. There are many which seeke (to bee these Pemoussere) to great persons and men of authori∣tie, to haue support and fauour: for when they belong to no body, they are troubled by one or other. [ 60]

The wife cannot pursue in iustice the death of her husband: but onely the children or the kin∣dred. If the children be young, they stay till they be sixteene yeeres old, to know if they will re∣uenge the death of their father. While they thus stay, the Iudge commands him which is appea∣ched * 1.19

of murther to bring vp the children of the deceased, and teach them some Trade or Myste∣rie. When they are come to age, they demand Iustice, or remit and pardon the Murtherer, with∣out any after examination. In matters of iniury committed on the person of any particular, the wronged must complaine; or otherwise the crime is abolished: except the King will make iustice to be executed, without the other partie, but this is seldome.

The ordinary punishments are banishment into the desart Ilands towards the South; cutting * 1.20 off a principall member; or the whip, which is the commonest punishment, but extraordinarily cruell. They are thongs of great thicke leather, a fathom in length, foure fingers in breadth, and two in thicknesse: hereof there are fiue or sixe tied together, in a stocke and handle of Wood. * 1.21 With this they chastice malefactors, and beat them so seuerely that they die often. This is the or∣dinary punishment (for the most part) of the greatest crimes, as Sodomy, Incest, and Adultery. [ 10] Besides this punishment, they cut off the womens hayre that are taken in adultery. False witnes∣ses, and periured persons are thus punished, and moreouer condemned in a pecuniary mulct, which * 1.22 is disposed of to the poore. A rape is punished as adultery, and (for the most part) the rauisher is condemned to endow the woman or mayd. The stealing of any thing of valew, with the cutting off the hand. If they commit any thing against the Law, they must make a kinde of publike pe∣nance. They thinke they shall neuer come in Paradice if they pay not, and accomplish that which the Law hath appointed. For the execution and chastising of malefactors, they haue no hang∣men, but the Deuanits or Sergeants doe it. For punishment with death, although their Law or∣daines * 1.23 it for Homicide, yet the Iudges neuer condemne them to it. All the while I was in the [ 20] Maldiues I saw none condemned to death by the ordinary Iudges: they dare not doe it, except the King expresly commands it, which is seldome. They say commonly, that they must not put men to death so; and if they should execute all that merit death, it would bee a long time before the Ilands should bee inhabited. Yet the King sends his Souldiers, and condemnes and ex∣ecutes those as haue deserued it. For although iustice be in the power of the Doctors of the Law, yet the King is the onely arbitrator, and alone hath power of life and death. Among others the King vseth one particular punishment on those which haue offended him; hee maketh them lye on the ground vpon their belly, and their armes and legs to bee held by foure men and after to be beaten on their backe, with a staffe or kinde of cane, called Rotan, which comes from Bengala; this pulls off the skin, and the marke or brand endures perpetually. [ 30]

They neuer put in writing their suits and differences, nor their accusations, nor depositions, * 1.24 nor iudgements, for they are all very readie and compendious ••neither in ciuill matters, except it be about grounds of inheritance, or Cocos trees which are immoueable, and that the Pandiare or Naybes giue iudgement. For in this case, they giue their letters sealed with their seale of Inke, for I neuer saw them vse any Waxe, and this serues for a testimony to their ofspring, that here∣after, neither hee which hath obtained the cause, nor his heyres may be disquieted.

There are foure sorts of persons: in the first is comprehended the King called Rasquan, and the Queene called Renequillague, with those which are of their race, and precedent Kings, Princes, * 1.25 called Calans, Princesses or Camenaz, and Grand Signiors. The second order is that of Digni∣ties, Offices, and Degrees, which the King distributes, wherein likewise the rankes is very care∣fully [ 40] obserued. The third is the Gentrie. The fourth, the common People. I will begin at the third, which is the ranke which birth giues to euery one separate from the common people. There are many Noble men dispersed heere and there among the Iles. They which are not No∣bles dare not sit with them, nor in their presence, although it bee at the further end, and as farre as they see a greater then they comming behind, they must attend and let him goe before. If al∣so they haue any piece of cloath vpon their shoulder, or any thing, they put it downe. The No∣ble women, although they marrie with men of inferiour condition and not Noble, loose not their ranke. Yea the Children which issue from them are Noble, by reason of the Mother. Also the women of low estate marrying to Noble men, are not ennobled by their Husbands, but retayne their first ranke. Besides the Nobles by birth, the King ennobles whom hee will. Then when [ 50] this happens, the King besides his Letters wherewith hee priuiledgeth him, sends one of his Of∣ficers appointed for this, who makes publication throughout all the ••le, or sounds a kinde of Bell which is of cast mettall, whereon hee strikes with a Hammer. After the King, are the Princes of the bloud, and they which are descended of other Kings his predecessours, who although they be of diuers Houses, yet are all much honoured and respected.

Next are the great Officers of the Kingdome: that is to say, the Quilague, which wee * 1.26 may call the Kings Lieutenant generall: because next to the King and in his absence, hee is most mightie in the Gouernment of the State, so that nothing is done without his aduise. Al∣so if the King will haue any thing obserued or executed, hee is the first whom the King deputes, and to whom hee addresseth his commands. Next him, another called Parenas which is of great [ 60] authoritie: An Endequery, whose Office is to bee alwayes neere the King, and to counsell him in all his occasions and affaires. Another hath charge of Sea matters, which wee may tearme Ad∣mirall, hee is called Velannas, hee lookes to the Ships which arriue, and their Merchandize; and hath care of entertaining Strangers and soliciting for them, hee vseth to come to the ships which

arriue, euen the smallest Barkes, although they bee of the Countrey, and takes away the rudder, and causeth it to bee carried into the Kings house, for feare they should goe away without taking Ieaue. He hath vnder him two Sergeants which looke to the Ships that arriue, and make him ac∣count, and obey his behests. There is a Generall ouer the Souldiers, called Dorimenaz, who hath also a Lieutenant, called Acouraz. Moreouer there is a Chanceller, called Manpai, who sets to all letters the Kings seale, which is nothing else but his name in Arabick, ingrauen in Siluer, which hee dips in Inke and imprints on the paper. The Secretarie is called Carans, the Controller of the Exchequer Musbandery, and the Treasurer Ransbandery: with diuer, other lesser Officers. All these Grandes abouenamed are often called to giue the King counsell when he pleaseth, with sixe ancient and experienced men, called Mouscoulis. Besides the rents and reuenues of certaine Ilands giuen to these Officers, the King giues them Rice for their prouision, as also to the Souldi∣ers, [ 10] with Tributes and Tolls of Barkes and Ships which come to trafficke in the Maldiues. All the honour in this Countrie is to eate of the Kings Rice, and be of the number of his Officers: without this a man is not esteemed noble, although he be.

Next to the Officers the Souldiers are most esteemed and priuiledged, and they make little account of a Gentleman if hee bee not inrolled in the Souldierie. The Souldierie consists of Soul∣diers * 1.27 of the Kings Guard which are six hundred, diuided into fixe companies, commanded by the Mouscoulis. There are ten other great Companies gathered together, each whereof hath a Cap∣tayne of the Grand Signiors of the Realme. These guard not, but serue the King, when hee hath any affaires, not onely as Souldiers to march and fight, but to doe all that hee commands, as to lanch a Ship, to draw it on dry land, or to doe such great worke where there is neede of men to [ 20] build his Palace, if it bee needfull, or to make any worke or edifice for him. They call them and gather them together with the sound of a certayne Bell. They diuide them into parts, for there are fiue Companies which are more honourable, wherein they admit none but Gentlemen, and other fiue Companies meaner, of all sorts of persons.

None can bee entred into the Companies, before they haue permission of the King, and more∣ouer it costs him for his entrance sixtie Larins, twentie to the King for his permission, and fortie to distribute to the Companie whereof hee ought to bee. The Slaues therefore cannot bee inrol∣led, nor they which get their liuing and substance from the Coco Trees, nor any mechanicall and base people, and generally those which cannot write and reade, nor those which serue others. [ 30] Moreouer they buy for the most part all Offices of the King, and they are greatly sought after by rich men, because of Honour, Authoritie, and Power, which they haue ouer others; but they may not sell, leaue, nor resigne them.

All the Ilanders haue but one name, without any firname or name of the familie, and vse fre∣quently these names, Mahomet, Haly, Hussum, Assan, Ibrahim, and such others, but to know * 1.28 them, they distinguish them by their qualitie, which they adde in the end of their name as they that are of Noble race adde to their name Tacourou, and their Wiues Bybis: Moreouer they put also the Ile which is theirs. Those which are not Noble, but by their Office or qualitie, call them∣selues * 1.29 Callogues, and their Wiues and Daughters, Camull••gues. Not those onely which I haue named vse these, but others obtayning of the King vacant functions, to bee separated from the [ 40] Plebeians. They buy this dearely of the King, because the Names and Titles are limited to a cer∣tayne number. The common people are called with their proper Callo, and adde also the trade and condition whereof they are, their Wiues and Daughters Camuto. * 1.30

The Palace of the King is built of Stone, composed of many handsome mansions and well built, yet without any ornament of Architecture, and of one storie. Round about it are Yard∣lands * 1.31 and Gardens, where are Fountaines and Cisternes of water, enclosed with walles and paued on the bottome with great smooth stones. These places are guarded continually by men appoin∣ted for it, because the King and Queenes wash themselues there, all others being straitly pohibi∣ted from washing there. In the inclosure of the Palace (called in their Language Gandoyre, which is very large) are many Lodgings and Courts, which haue all in the midst a Well garnished with [ 50] faire white stones. In one of these Courts, are two Magasins of the King: in one he puts his Or∣dnance, in the other all other sorts of Munition.

At the entrance of the Palace is a Corps de guard, where are many Pieces of Ordnance, and o∣ther kindes of Armes. The Portall is made like a square Tower, vpon the top whereof on Feast * 1.32 dayes, players of Instruments play and sing. From thence they come to the first Hall, where the Souldiers wayte: a little further is another great Hall for the Signiors, Gentlemen, and persons of fashion. For none neither Signiors, nor Plebeian, man, woman, nor childe, dare goe further, ex∣cept the domesticall Officers of the King and Queenes, and their Slaues and Seruitors. The paue∣ment * 1.33 of these Hals are eleuated three foot aboue the ground, and neatly boarded with wood well playned. It is thus raised vp because of the Ants. Then the floore is after all couered with a [ 60] little Matte, which they make in the Iles, interlaced in various colours, with Characters and o∣ther workes very finely contriued. The walls are hanged with Tapistrie of Silke; also vpon the plat-fonds, it is couered with tapestrie of silke, from which hangs round about faire fringes as a Curtaine. The King made the great Ensigne and Banner of our ship which was blue, where

the Armes of France were well made, to bee displayed in the Souldiers and Strangers hall.

In these Halls before the place where the King sits, there is another forme of Curtaines very rich, vnder which is a large place eleuated two foot, couered with a great Tapestrie, hereon they fit crosse-legged, for they vse no other seats. Vpon these Mattes throughout all the hall, the No∣bles which come to assemble together sit downe. In this sitting they obserue exactly the order of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dignities: for they which are of lower degree, stay at the lower end, if the King or his Gr••naes which are th••re in his absen••e, b••d them not sit. For the Gentlemen of the Ile of Male, and ordinarie Courtiers, which are bound to come and salute the King euerie day after noone, stay and sit in the second Hall, and may goe no further, wayting till the King come foorth, or ••••at they see some domesticke Officer, by whom they send the King word that they are come to salute him. Sometimes the King sends them while they are thus sitting, platters full of Bettell [ 10] and Fruits, which they hold a great honour. The Gentrie of the other Ilands come also and ob∣serue the same customes that they doe of the Ile of Male: but they come not without Pre∣sents, * 1.34 for none is permitted to salute the King, neither Noble-man nor Merchant, without one.

The Chambers and inner Lodgings are well adorned, hanged with Tapestrie of silke, inriched * 1.35 with flowers, boughes and branches of Gold, and of diuers colours. The people vse tapestrie of Cotton, which is composed of many pieces of cloath of Cotton of all colours. Their Beds are hanged in the ayre by foure cords to a barre which is sustained with two pillers. They make the [ 20] beds of the King and rich men in this sort, because they may rocke and shogge them more easily. They are accustomed when they are layd downe to make their folke touch and mooue their bo∣die, and chafe them easily, strike them little blowes with both their hands together, saying that is good against the Spleene, and makes their griefe cease; also that it makes them sleepe soundly, and makes them forget the griefe of the member beaten and rubbed.

The ordinarie habillement of the King, is a white fine Robe of Cotton, or rather a Cassoque, * 1.36 descending to the girdle or a little lower, edged with white and blue, made fast before with mas∣sie buttons of Gold. With this he weares a piece of red imbroydered Taffetie, which reacheth from the girdle to the heele. This Taffetie is girded with a long large girdle of Silke fringed with Gold, and a great chayne of Gold before, whereat hangs a great Iewell as big as a hand, of exquisite stones which may bee seene. Hee weares also a knife after the manner of the Coun∣trey, but more richly wrought. Vpon his head hee hath a Bonnet of red Scarlet, which is much * 1.37 esteemed in this Countrey, and permitted to none but the King: this bonnet is laced with Gold, [ 30] and on the top it hath a great button of massie Gold with a precious Stone; and although the Grandes and Souldiers weare their hayre long, yet hee hath his shauen euery weeke. Hee vseth * 1.38 to haue his legges alwayes bare as others, and weares only on his feet Pantoffles of guilded Cop∣per, brought out of Arabia and made like sandals. Of which sort none but the Queenes and Prin∣cesses his kinswomen may weare. When the King goeth foorth, hee hath a Sun-shadow or white Parosel, which is the principall Ensigne of Maiestie, carryed ouer him. This is permitted to none but Strangers who may haue what they will: alwayes there is one Page neere the King which * 1.39 carries a fanne, another the Kings Sword and Buckler, another a boxe full of Bettell and Arecqua, which hee chawes euery houre. A Doctor of the Law alwayes followes him, and neuer looseth * 1.40 [ 40] sight of him, reading a Booke in his presence, and admonishing him of his Religion.

His exercises and ordinarie pastimes are not to goe out and fish as his predecessors vsed to doe, * 1.41 but to remayne for the most immured in his Palace, to court his Queenes, see his Courtiers, and many Mechanickes and Artificers worke, as Painters, Goldsmiths, Imbroiderers, Cutlers, Ioy∣ners, Turners, Armorers, and others sorts which hee keepes in his Palace, and furnisheth them with matter to worke. Hee workes himselfe, and saith frequently that it is a sinne to bee idle. Hee hath a quicke and viue apprehension, and hath skill to worke in many Crafts and Mysteries, * 1.42 and is daily curious to learne: hee seekes out those which are excellent in any thing; if hee meet with any stranger that knowes that which he nor his Ilanders know not, he makes very much of * 1.43 him, that he may shew him his Art.

Going out of his Palace, hee is accompanied with his Souldiers, whereof hee hath a hundred [ 50] euery day for his Guard. On Friday he goeth to the Mosche, in a faire order and kind of pompe, * 1.44 for the Souldiers goe in rankes, some before and some behinde, and so his ordinarie Officers: the Drums, Flutes, Trumpets, make good agreeable musicke. After seruice is done, hee returnes in the same order, the Souldiers going with the sound of Instruments playing among them and lea∣ping before the King with their armes, and striking blowes with their Swords on one anothers Bucklers: shewing their agilitie, yet not all together, to auoyde confusion but two at a time one∣ly, and so one after another without ceasing. The people of the Ile which are present goe home with him, and it should bee a shame to any one not to goe. Then the Pandiare, Naybes, C••tibes and Moudins, and principall Signiors, Gentlemen and Souldiers, which hee chooseth diuersly, dine with him, and after dinner hee imployes himselfe in doing Iustice. Moreouer, when the * 1.45 [ 60] King goeth foorth hee is alwayes on foot (for in these Ilands is neither Horse nor any Beast to ride on) except hee bee carried in a C••ayre on his Slaues shoulders: but this is seldome, because he is strong and lustie & had rather go on foot. When they speake to the King, or Queenes and their

Children and Princes of their bloud, or else if they speake of them to others, it is in other termes which they vse not but for this, and dare not apply them to others. As if they say of a man hee * 1.46 sleepeth, if it bee of the King, they say, he slumbreth or takes his rest, which they neuer say but speaking of the King.

The Queenes are attired as other women formerly described, but in more costly manner. The * 1.47 Ladies, Wiues and Daughters of the Grand Signiors of the Ile, are bound to come see them in the euening, to passe the time with them. They goe sometimes forth, but it is very rare: and then there are women and slaues which goe a great way before, to aduertise the men that they retire and appeare not in the way, but onely the women, who assemble by their quarters and diuisions, and come to meet them with Presents of Flowers and Fruits. There are foure principall women which carry ouer the Queenes head a white Curtine of Silke reaching to the ground, so that they [ 10] cannot be seene. They goe often to bath in the Sea, as all other women: for it is the custome of the Country, and they hold it very healthfull; for this cause therefore they haue prepared in the Sea a little inclosure, couered round with Cotton cloth, where the Queenes and great women bath: after they come out they haue another little house also made purposely where they bath againe in Fresh-water. Within the chambers of the Queenes, Princesses, and great Ladies they * 1.48 neuer see day, nor haue any other light but of Lamps, which burne continually. They retyre themselues into a part of the chamber, being enclosed with foure or fiue rowes of Tapistry, which they must lift vp before they come where they are: but none neither man nor woman, domesti∣call nor others dare lift vp the hindmost, although they are not laid, nor eating, in briefe al∣though * 1.49 they be idle. They must first cough, and tell who they be, and then they call them or send [ 20] them whither they thinke good. Neither women nor maids pull off the cloth which goes about their middle, but only their robe: the men doe so also, and dare not doe otherwise.

The Kings reuenewes consists in his Crowne lands, which are many Ilands; and the duties which his subiects pay of the fruits which grow in the Countrie, that is to say, the fifth part of * 1.50 the graines which they sow, they giue the King a portion of their Cocos and Limons, they com∣pound also throughout all the yeere for a certaine quantitie of Hony or fruit. Besides these du∣ties the King imposeth an ordinary taxe on his subiects, according to their meanes, which con∣sists * 1.51 in cords of Cocos, in shells called Boly, and dryed Fish. For they giue him no mony for his Taxes and Rents, but onely when they buy Titles and Offices, and haue permission to weare [ 30] their braueries. Also hee chargeth the Inhabitants of the Iles to make and furnish him yeerely Cotton clothes, which serueth him for his Souldiers, to whom hee giues thrice a yeere Cloth, be∣sides * 1.52 their pay. The reuenew of the King consists also in merchandise: For all the Ships which arriue there, first goe to him, and declare what they haue brought, after they agree at a certaine * 1.53 price for that which hee will haue, which is very often the better part: after the people buy it at a dearer rate then the King; and then the King sends to distribute his merchandise throughout the Iles to the richest, at what price hee will; although they haue no vse of it, taking in exchange such merchandise, as hee hath need of, at a better price by halfe then it is worth. He sends often also Ships laden with merchandise of his Ile to other Countries. The King hath also besides these Royalties, whatsoeuer is found on the Sea shoare, and no man dare touch it to detaine it, but is [ 40] * 1.54 bound to take it vp and bring it him, whether it bee pieces of shipwrackt Ships, pieces of Wood, Coffers, or other things: or Amber Greece, which they call Gomen, hereof is the greatest quantitie in the Indies, and none dare keepe it on paine of hauing his hand cut off.

Also there is a certaine Nut, which the Sea sometimes casts vp, which is as great as a mans head: they call it Tauarcarre, and suppose that it commeth of certaine trees that are vnder the * 1.55 sea: the Portugals call them Cocos of the Maldiues. It is a thing very medicinable & of great price. Also the fishing for Blacke Corrall appertaines to the King, who hath many men to make this fishing. The mony of the Kingdome is onely Siluer, and of one kind. These are pieces of Siluer which they call Larins, of the valew of eight Sols or thereabouts of our mony, long as a finger, * 1.56 but much folded. The King coynes them in his Iland, and imprints on them his name in Ara∣bick letters. The other monyes are Exotick coynes, and there goe currant, but they take them not [ 50] but at iust value, and at equall weights, and onely the Gold or Siluer, all other sorts of coyne which are not of the Countrie they reiect. For in India, as there are many Realmes and Signiories, so great diuersitie of mony, of stampe and character, not onely of Gold and Siluer, but also of an other mettall called Calin, which is white like Tin, and very hard, pure, and beautifull, whereof they make great esteeme in the Indies; they haue also Iron mony. But this kind of mony goeth onely in the Dominions of the Prince that coynes it. The Gold and Siluer of whatsoeuer stampe and character it be, is currant through all Kingdomes according to the iust valew, which is of dif∣ferent valew from ours, because Siluer is deerer then here, and Gold baser. The King makes no lesser coynes then the Larin: so that to effect their merchandise, they cut the Siluer and giue in * 1.57 weight according to the valew of the merchandise: which is not without losse, for in cutting of [ 60] a Larin they loose the twelfth part. They take no piece of Siluer which they haue not weigh∣ed, and put in the fire to try the goodnesse: euery one hath weights in his house for this purpose. Also in stead of little and base mony they vse shells, whereof 120. ••0. goe at the valew or a Larin.

All their Gold and Siluer come from forraine places, for they haue no coine in these Iles. In all their publique markets and particuler bargainings, they vse to exchange very often one thing * 1.58 for another.

The Maldiues are very well frequented with Merchants of many Countries, as of the Mala∣bares, * 1.59 of Barcelor, Onor, Bacalor, Cananor, Calecut, Tananor, Cochin, Coulam, Cael: of the Guze∣rattes, of Cambaia, Surate, and Chaule of the Arabs, Persians, of those of Bengale, Saint Thoma and Masulipatan, Ceylan and Sumatra; which bring Merchandise whereof the Ilanders haue need and esteeme, and in recompence carrie away those things wherewith the Ilands abound. First of * 1.60 the Cocos tree, they make many kindes of things which the strangers seeke after, as Cordage, wherewith they trim all the Ships of the Indies: they lade yeerely more then one hundred ships [ 10] of the fruit of the Cocos, which they carry into the Coasts of Arabia, Malabar, and throughout all India, also Oyle and Honey of the same Tree: and weauing the Leaues of this tree serue them to make Sayles.

There is another sort of riches in the Ilands: These are little shells wherein there is a little * 1.61 creature, as great as the end of the little finger, all white, very smooth and glistering, which they fish for but twice a moneth, three dayes before, and three dayes after the new Moone, and like∣wise the Full, and finde them at no other season. The women gather them vpon the sands and flats of the Sea, being in the water to the girdle. They transport great quantities of them to other Countries, insomuch that I haue seene yeerely thirtie or fortie ships laden without any other commoditie. They goe all into Bengala: for there onely they buy them at great prices, and in great quantitie. They of Bengala make such esteeme of them, that they vse them as common [ 20] money, although they haue Gold and Siluer, and enough of other mettals: and that which is more maruellous, the Kings and Nobles build places to lay them vp in, and account them part of their Treasure. They giue twentie * 1.62 measures of Rice for one fardell of Shels. For all these Bo∣lys are put vp by fardels of twelue thousand together in little baskets made of the Cocos leafe, garnished within with cloath made of the same Tree, for feare the shells should fall out. They much esteeme in India Tortois shells, which they call Cambe. This sort of Tortois is found no * 1.63 where but there, and in the Philippinas: it is faire, very smooth, all blacke, with many naturall figures. They sell them best in Cambaia where they make (besides bracelets for women) faire Coffers and Cabbinets inlayed with siluer. They make heere very fine mattes of Reed of diuers [ 30] colours, and inrich them with ornaments and ciphers very neatly. They haue also faire cloaths of Cotton and Silke.

In counter-change of these the Merchants being them Rice, white Cotton clothes, and cloath * 1.64 of Silke: Oyle which is made of an odoriferous Graine, wherewith they vse to rub their bodies when they haue bathed, Arecqua, Iron and Steele, Spices, Porcelane, and whatsoeuer they haue need of: and yet euery thing is very cheape by reason of the abundance, and ordinarie arriuall of Ships. They bring also Gold and Siluer, which neuer goeth foorth againe: for they giue it not for any thing to Strangers, but put it among the Treasure and Iewels of their Wiues.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The King.
• * 1.2

  Naybe.
• * 1.3

  Catibe.
• * 1.4

  Their mainte∣nance.
• * 1.5

  The thirteene Naybes Visita∣tion and Cir∣cuit.
• * 1.6

  The Pandiare or chiefe Iudge.
• * 1.7

  Moucouris lear∣ned men.
• * 1.8

  The King. Sixe Councel∣lours of State.
• * 1.9

  Seuere Gate∣chising.
• * 1.10

  Treasurer.
• * 1.11

  Avares.
• * 1.12

  Sergeants.
• * 1.13

  Writs.
• * 1.14

  Excommuni∣cation.
• * 1.15

  No Aduocates
• * 1.16

  Cases de facto & de••iure.
• * 1.17

  Slaues.
• * 1.18

  Debtors.
• * 1.19

  Children.
• * 1.20

  Punish∣ments.
• * 1.21

  Terrible whips.
• * 1.22

  Adu••tery. Rape. Theft.
• * 1.23

  Few executed.
• * 1.24

  No w••i••ings for cuidence.
• * 1.25

  Degrees and sorts of men. Rites, & rights of Nobilitie.
• * 1.26

  Kings Lieute∣nant and other Officers.
• * 1.27

  Souldiers and Gentlemen.
• * 1.28

  One name.
• * 1.29

  Titles.
• * 1.30

  Common peo∣ple.
• * 1.31

  The Kings Pa∣lace.
• * 1.32

  Guard.
• * 1.33

  Two Hall.
• * 1.34

  Presents.
• * 1.35

  Chambers and Tapestrie. Beds.
• * 1.36

  Kings Robes.
• * 1.37

  His bonnet and attire.
• * 1.38

  Shauing. Barelegges.
• * 1.39

  Ensignes of Maiestie.
• * 1.40

  His Doctor.
• * 1.41

  Exercises.
• * 1.42

  Workes.
• * 1.43

  Respect of Arts.
• * 1.44

  Guard and p〈…〉〈…〉mpous go∣ing abro••d,
• * 1.45

  No Beast 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 on.
• * 1.46

  Complement.
• * 1.47

  Queenes, and their pompe.
• * 1.48

  Bathing in the salt and fresh-water.
• * 1.49

  Perpetuall night.
• * 1.50

  Reuenues.
• * 1.51

  Al paid in kind
• * 1.52

  Cotton clothes
• * 1.53

  Merchandise.
• * 1.54

  Wrackes.
• * 1.55

  Sea Nuts.
• * 1.56

  Coyne.
• * 1.57

  Buying.
• * 1.58

  Bartering.
• * 1.59

  Merchants.
• * 1.60

  Merchandise. Coco-commo∣dities.
• * 1.61

  Shell money.
• * 1.62

  Coquett••s.
• * 1.63

  Tortoys shells.
• * 1.64

  Exotike wares.