RALPH FITCH a.d. 



1583-91. 

 countries is called Isacan, and he is chiefe of all the 

 other kings, and is a great friend to all Christians. The 

 houses here, as they be in the most part of India, are 

 very litle, and covered with strawe, and have a fewe 

 mats round about the wals, and the doore to keepe out 

 the Tygers and the Foxes. Many of the people are 

 very rich. Here they will eate no flesh, nor kill no 

 beast : they live of Rice, milke, and fruits. They goe 

 with a litle cloth before them, and all the rest of their 

 bodies is naked. Great store of Cotton cloth goeth from 

 hence, and much Rice, wherewith they serve all India, 

 Ceilon, Pegu, Malacca, Sumatra, and many other places. 

 I went from Serrepore the 28. of November 1586. 

 for Pegu in a small ship or foist of one Albert Caravallos, 

 and so passing downe Ganges, and passing by the Island Stwd'wa 

 of Sundiva, porto Grande, or the countrie of Tippera, ^^^^^^' 

 the kingdom of Recon and Mogen, leaving them on 

 our left side with a faire wind at Northwest : our course 

 was South & by East, which brought us to the barre of 

 Negrais in Pegu : if any contrary wind had come, we had 

 throwen many of our things over-boord : for we were 

 so pestered with people & goods, that there was scant 

 place to lie in. From Bengala to Pegu is 90. leagues. 

 We entred the barre of Negrais, which is a brave barre Negrais. 

 & hath 4. fadomes water where it hath least. Three 

 dayes after we came to Cosmin, which is a very pretie Cosmin. 

 towne, and standeth very pleasantly, very well furnished 

 with all things. The people be very tall & well disposed ; 

 the women white, round faced, with litle eies : the 

 houses are high built, set upon great high postes, & 

 they go up to them with long ladders for feare of the Ladders used 

 Tygers which be very many. The countrey is very ^^fJ^lJJiu 

 fruitful of all things. Here are very great Figs, Orenges, beasts. 

 Cocoes, and other fruits. The land is very high that 

 we fall withall, but after we be entred the barre, it is 

 very lowe and full of rivers, for they goe all too and Dzvellingin 

 fro in boates, which they call paroes, and keepe their °^^^' 

 houses with wife and children in them. 



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