DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH. 229 
The manufactures of the country are chiefly 
three. The smith is by far the principal trades- 
man, working with very simple instruments, but 
with considerable skill. He is a person of great 
importance, as he supplies at once arms and the 
implements of husbandry. Every smith, our au- 
thor asserts, if not carefully watched, will steal. 
Next comes the manufacture of grisgris, called 
here gregories, a species of charm which the na- 
tives wear in vast profusion. With this is com- 
bined the making of bridles and saddles, Lastly, 
mats are an article in universal demand. " Mats 
V to eate, sit, and sleepe on, are their staple 
" commodities; at the markets we saw things bought 
" and sold, without nominating any price but 
" mats." 
The inhabitants of this region are the Man- 
dingos, Portuguese, Mulattoes, and the Foulahs, 
called by our author the Fulbies, whom he repre- 
sents somewhat oddly, as " a tawny people, much 
" like to those vagrants among us called Egyp- 
" tians." He describes them as addicted to nas- 
turage, and chiefly wandering ; during the wet- 
season, driving their herds to the top of the moun- 
tains, and when it becomes dry, bringing them 
close to the side of the rivers. They live in con- 
stant dread of wild beasts ; in the night time drive 
their herds into an enclosure, and surround it with 
fires, holding themselves always " ready against 
