290 OSBECK'S VOYAGE. 



are heard, in particular the Gimgiwg, which 

 is ufed on all occafions. 



If a woman fuffers herfelf to be deflowered, 

 (he is carried into the market by her fuperiors,. 

 as foon as it is known, and fold to the higheft 

 bidder ; thefe are bought to be fervant-maids- 

 for life, at the price of ioo dollars copper 

 money, fometimes more and fomeiimes lefs. 



Thieves and other offenders are punifhed 

 with bamboo ladies, which puniihment may be 

 compared with the gantelope. 



The malefactors are laid on the ground, and 

 beaten with fwitches of fplit bamboo wood ; 

 and the Chinefe ell being made of the fame 

 wood, a ftroke with it is very ignominious in 

 the eyes of a Chinefe. I likewife faw another 

 way of punifhing a thief ; a board was hung 

 on his neck, and his hands were put through 

 two holes in the board, and were fcrewed fad 

 into them. He was carried about the flreets 

 in this pofture for two months together, and 

 was obliged to wait for his further punifhment: 

 behind the thief went one who was very pro- 

 bably the beadle, holding up money in both 

 hands, undoubtedly to ihew the people (who 



come 



