66 
FIRST RESIDENCE 
[1820. 
26th. The morning was employed in selecting 
presents for the principal people, and in making 
up a small parcel for each, with their names in 
them. Sent first for Mateebe, in whose parcel 
was a saw, with which he seemed particularly 
pleased, a tinder-box, and a kaleidescope which 
did not attract his attention so much as might be 
expected, also a set of gilded coat-buttons, a red 
worsted night-cap, and beads, without which all 
would have been considered as trifles. Various 
other articles were likewise added. To Mahootoo, 
his queen, we appropriated a silver-lace cap, 
covered with spangles, some buttons, a snuff- 
box, needles, thimbles, &c. Presents were also 
given to Malalla and Mahoora, the king's brothers. 
Makklak, his brother-in-law, Brumella, a power- 
ful chief, and his wife Shoy, formerly one of 
Makabba's wives, king of the Wanketzens. 
Shoy's father having had a dispute with Makabba, 
fled, and Shoy embraced the first opportunity to 
flee from her husband and to follow the fortunes 
of her father. On her arrival at Lattakoo, Bru- 
mella received her as his wife. Though he has 
three other wives besides Shoy, he has only four 
children. Most of the rich men have two or 
three wives, and sometimes more, nevertheless 
their families are not more numerous than ordi- 
nary families in Euro-pe. 
This plurality of wives among the rich renders 
