34 Sketch of the Geography of Cochin China. 



driven when the prefeiit pofleflors invaded the country. They 

 are a favaoe race of people, very black, and relemble in their 

 features the Cafl'rees. 



It was about the year 12S0 of the Cbridian sra that the 

 firlt Tartar prince became polTeifed of the throne of China. 

 This revokition afforded an opportunity to the weftern pro- 

 vinces to throw off their dependence ; and they were formed 

 into a kinffilom, under a prince whofe defcendant now reigns 

 in Tonquin, and is called Knaw-Whaiig. About the begin- 

 ninc of tlie fifteenth century a large body of people from thefe 

 })rovinces, beintr difaffeftcd to the government, joined under 

 a leader of abilities ; they foon became mafters of the coaft 

 of Cochin China as far as Cape Aurilla, which lies in lati- 

 tude 12 '30' north. The Moys, the original inhabitants, 

 retired to the hills bordering their country to the weftward ; 

 where they have ever fince remained. The emigrants, under 

 their conduclor, founded the kingdom of Cochin China, 

 The continual wars thev were engaged in with the Tonqui- 

 nefe, induced them to build a wall on the fouthern extremity 

 of the province of Ding-noi, to prevent their irruptions. 

 Every communication by lea was ftrictly iorbidden. In the 

 year 1764 the coimtrv of Cochin China was in a fiourifh- 

 ing cojiditlon, and governed by a prince of abilities : foon 

 after his fon fucceeded to tlie throne, and anarchy and con- 

 fufion enfued. 



The Cochin Chinefe bear evident marks of their being de- 

 rived from the fame ftock as the Chinefe, They refemble 

 them in their features, and mod of their manners and cuf- 

 toms. Their religion is the fame : their oral language, 

 though different, feems formed upon the fame principles; 

 and they ufc the fame characters in writing. They are a 

 courteous, affable, iuoffenfive race, rather inclined to indo- 

 lence. The ladies are by far the moft aclive fex; they ufu- 

 ally do all the buiinefs, while their lazy lords fit upon their 

 haunches, fmokiuff, chewing beetle, or (ipping tea. Con- 

 trary to the curtom of China, the ladies are not Hnit up; and, 

 if unmarried, a temporary connection with ftrangers who ar- 

 rive in the country is deemed nodiflionour. Merchants often 

 employ them as their fa6fors and brokers, and, 'tis faid, the 

 firmed reliance mav be placed on their fidelity. 



The haiiit of the men and women is cut after the fame fa- 

 fliion. It is a joofc robe, buttoning with a fmall robe round 

 the neck, and folding over the breaft like a banyan gown, 

 with large long fleeves which cover the hands. People of 

 rank, and efpecially tlte ladies, wear feveral of ihefe govvns 



one 



