COCHINCHINA. 387 



iifealth, can with difficulty gain a livelihood. 

 This tax, which goes into the king's trea- 

 fury, is paid according to the ftrength or 

 fitaatioii of each individual, either in gold, 

 moneys or rice. Every ye^ir, in the feventh 

 months the taxes of all the provinces are 

 tranfported to court with great pomp and 

 magnificence. On this occafion there are 

 great rejoicings in the capital for a month, 

 during which the people are employed in 

 feafting, feeing plays, artificial fire-works^ 

 and diverfions of various kinds* 



Manners and Customs, 



THE Cochinchinefe, compared with the 

 Indians, are brave, adive^ and induftrious. 

 They are fond of truth, and cldfely adhere 

 to it when they know it. They are, how- 

 ever, poor and ignorant; but extremely 

 C c 2 polite 



