476 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XI. 



entirely opposed to the erroneous opinion of this blasphemer,, 

 even speaking politically ; for in the West Indies those who 

 are continually in the habit of shedding blood in their 

 sacrifices are great cowards, insomuch that a thousand of 

 them will fly before the face of a single Spaniard, as 

 related in the history of their discovery. And so with the 

 Zingalas when the Portuguese landed : they had not the 

 pluck to resist their arms ; but since then, by the practice 

 and exercise of arms they have become brave, strong and 

 healthy, swift runners, and sober. 



So great is the power obtained by habit and exercise that 

 cowards become brave men, and rude, uncultivated barbarians 

 become disciplined warriors. It is for this reason Lycurgus 

 and Scipio advised it prudent not to carry on a long, tedious 

 war with any one nation ; and it has been proved by experi- 

 ence in the losses sustained by Rome during the Punic wars,, 

 by Spain in Grenada, and the Portuguese in Barbary, and 

 particularly in the Flemish wars, and these last against the 

 Zingalas in the East. 



They go about naked above the waist, but from thence to 

 the knee are covered with very ragged clothes ; their feet 

 are bare, and on their head a cap they call Topis* which come 

 down over the cheeks. In colour they approach the Mulat- 

 toes of Spain, Although many of them are born very fair, 

 they become browner as they grow older : in figure they 

 almost equal the Spaniards. The women have neat, well- 

 made shapes, and are modest in bearing. They are more costly 

 in their attire than the men, and wear bracelets and rings 

 with stones of great price. They go about very trim from 

 below the waist, their head and hair done up with great care 

 and elegance, keeping all very clean and neat. So scrupulous 

 are they, both men and women, that a Zingala will not 

 eat whilst another carves, although he may be perishing with 

 hunger. They are also very delicate about their food, which 

 their wives usually prepare, who are very clever in the way 



* Siy. Port, topplya. — B., Hon, Sac. 



