THE SMOOTH-LEGGED BANTAM. 317 



as free as possible from hackle ; tail without the plume, or 

 what is called hen-tailed ; perfectly clean-legged." 



Our author, Mr. Dixon, says of Bantams: We are now 

 timorously approaching the most treasured pets of the Fancy. 

 We have advanced with a tolerably steady footstep through the 

 flocks of well-sized creatures that crowded beside our path 

 the Turkeys, the Peacocks, the Geese, and the Swans, and 

 should not have feared to encounter even an Emeu or a Cereop- 

 sis, had chance planted one in the way ; but a sudden fear and 

 trembling creeps over us as we draw near to these mysterious 

 elves and pigmies of the feathered world. Gulliver got on 

 very well in Brobdingnag, so long as he did not attempt 

 any leap beyond his strength ; but the minute Lilliputians 

 teased him sadly by their numbers, their activity, and the un- 

 seen and unsuspected places from whence they issued. But 

 twenty or thirty years back, Bantams would have supplied a 

 more formidable muster-roll than they now do. 



Bantam is the name of a town and kingdom in the island 

 of Java, famous for its trade in pepper, of which the Dutch 

 despoiled us, and for its unrelenting punishment of thieves. 

 " The Laws of this country" (Achin, the north-western part 

 of Sumatra, famous for the juicy and refreshing fruit called 

 the Pumple-nose, and the seductive and intoxicating herb 

 Ganga or Bang,} " are very strict, and offenders are punished 

 with great severity. Neither are there any delays of justice 

 here ; for as soon as the Offender is taken, he is immediately 

 brought before the Magistrate, who presently hears the matter, 

 and according as he finds it, so he either acquits, or orders 

 punishment to be inflicted on the Party immediately. Small 

 Offenders are only whipt on the back, which sort of punishment 

 they call Cliaubuck. A Thief, for his first offence, has his 

 right hand chopt off at the Wrist : for the second offence off 

 goes the other ; and sometimes, instead of one of their hands, 

 one or both of their feet are cut off; and sometimes (though 



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