April.] 
VISIT FROM MUNGALLEE. 
187 
and inquired if we really meant not to take it for 
the meat we had given. Our generosity on this 
occasion seemed incredible to him. This was 
another proof of the strength and prevalence of 
selfishness among that people. 
Mungallee came into the tent, while we were 
at supper, and looked at every thing on the table 
as a child might have been expected to do. On 
giving him bread and cheese, he held them on 
the palm of his hand, till he asked childishly if 
he might first take a bit of the one, and then a bit 
of the other. On being answered Yes, he instantly 
put down his head and devoured them with the 
rapidity of a wild beast. His fine figure and 
savage manners exhibited an affecting contrast. 
The crown of his head was covered with wool ; 
a circle was next closely shaved ; then a ring of 
wool, about an inch broad, extended round the 
head ; the rest was also closely shaved. The 
woolly part was ornamented with some kind of 
powder, possessing a blue shining appearance, 
mixed with fat and plastered on. It very much 
resembled that of a cast metal stove. His body 
was slightly painted with red ochre, united with 
grease to make it stick. He wore two gilt buttons 
in each ear, which I had given to him. No re- 
spectability is attached to the dress of a man ; 
he wears his ornaments chiefly to please himself. 
However, I have noticed some of the females 
