COCHIN-CHINA. 65 



This country is certainly very favorable to trade and naviga- 

 tion, having not fewer than fixty fafe harbors, and a great depth 

 of water in every part. 



The gallies or fhipping of the Cocbin-Chincfe are very nu- Shipping. 

 merous; part, allotted to the defence of the coaft, are finely 

 painted and highly varniflied, rowed with fifty oars, and carry a 

 cannon at the head, and two fmall ones on each fide. Notwith- 

 Handing the Cochin-Chinefe can neither caft cannon or make 

 fufils, their dexterity, fays Mr. Borri *, in the art of gunnery is 

 amazing ; not one of our Europeans dare enter the lift with 

 them. The navy of this country is quickly manned, every fa- 

 mily being bound to furnifli a failor, who ferves with great ala- 

 crity, for they are well treated, and their wives and children 

 fupported during their abfence ; all are drefl^ed in an uniform, 

 and when they are about to engage, put on a gilt helmet and a 

 cloak, which leaves their right arm quite bare. Numbers of 

 their vefiels are employed in the fiflieries ; the fifli are found in 

 vaft abundance, and form a great article of commerce ; fifh and 

 rice conftitute the principal food of the Cochin-Chinefe. 



The woods and mountains, afford all the variety of birds and Elephants; 

 quadrupeds of the adjacent kingdoms; tigers fwarm; elephants 

 are in great abundance and of vaft fize ; tliefe are taken and 

 reclamed ; numbers are kept in the royal ftables merely for 

 oftentation, being no longer ufed in war ; they are rendered 

 of infinite fervice to the inhabitants of the country as beafts 

 of burden, the carriers both by land and water, I may fay thQ 

 ftage coaches and ferries of Cochin-China. On their backs is 



. » ehurchill'sCol. vl.ii. 896. 



Vol. III. K placed 



