38S COCiUNCHINi. 



polite to each other, and to Grangers, They 

 have a great efteem for the Chinefcj on ac- 

 count of their learning ; and they call their 

 empire Afoedalmmb^ or the kingdom of lighi : 

 but fince the millionarics have reftdeJ 

 among ft them, they feem to have a greater 

 refpeft for the Europeans. The king, above 

 all, is very fond of them ; and encourages 

 them to frequent his ports for the fake of 

 cstxying on commerce with them. The 

 Cochinchlnefe are much addided to wo- 

 men; and polygamy is allowed amongft 

 them, A man generally has as many wives 

 as he can maintain ; and the law gives him 

 great authority over tliem, as well as over 

 Ills children. Women convi^fted of infide- 

 lity tc their hufbanda are condemned to be 

 expofed to the fury of elephants- The wo- 

 men, who are not remarkable for their mo- 

 defty, go quite naked to the middle; and 

 they publicly bathe, without any ceremony, 



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