INHABITANTS. 151 



Nature seems in this respect to have dealt more 

 bountifully to them than to the rest of the human 

 race. 



As practical musicians, many of them, by assiduous 

 labour and careful instruction, become sufficiently 

 expert to bear an inferior part in a private concert. 

 Their songs are commonly impromptu ; and there 

 are among them individuals who resemble the im- 

 provisator!, or extempore bards of Italy; though 

 I cannot say much for their poetry. 



At times, especially during the Christmas holidays, 

 they are not without ballads of a kind adapted to the 

 occasion ; and they give full scope to a talent for 

 ridicule and derision. Their chief musical instru- 

 ment is the gomhay, a rustic drum, formed of a small 

 barrel, one end of which is covered with a sheepskin. 

 From such an instrument nothing like a regular 

 tune can be expected; nor is it attempted. Hence, 

 on such occasions, they are denominated gombays. 

 They exhibit a sort of pyrrhic, or warlike dance, 

 during which they perform certain feats in running, 

 leaping, jumping, with frantic gestures and contor- 

 tions. 



The dancer's dress is very fantastic ; he is orna- 

 mented about the head w'ith a miniature chateau, and 

 his face is enveloped in a hideous mask. 



