274 
RESIDENCE AT LATTAKOO. [1813- 
She has three sons and two daughters. Mateebe 
took another woman to be his wife, until Mahootoo 
should be of age to marry, by whom he has had two 
sons and two daughters ; but Mahootoo, though the 
younger woman, is called the oldest queen, that her 
son may succeed to the government. When the con- 
versation was ended, we shewed them a watch, which 
both astonished and terrified them. On observing the 
work in motion, they concluded that it must be alive, 
and on offering to put it to their ears, to hear it 
sound, they held up their hands to drive it away as if 
it had been a serpent. 
Our interpreter said something to them which made 
them laugh immoderately. We found he had said, 
that before he went to Klaar Water, he was as igno- 
rant as they were, but there he had been taught 
many good things, which they also would be taught 
if Mateebe permitted missionaries to settle among 
them. 
It is heart rending to witness, from morning to 
evening, so great a number of fine clever young people 
playing about, having nothing to learn or to do. Their 
parents appear to teach them nothing; for though 
various articles are manufactured among them, yet 
they are made, not as a trade, but for amusement in 
the public place; as if a London engraver were to 
carry a plate of copper to the Royal Exchange, to 
engrave upon, while conversing with his friends. I do 
not know how the men treat the women at home, but 
