e 254* DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH. 
gives a very particular account. He says, "It is 
" dressed in a long coat made of the bark of trees, 
** with a tuft of fine straw on the top of it. This 
" is a thing invented by the men to keep their 
" wives in awe, who are so ignorant (or at least are 
" obliged to pretend to be so) as to take it for a 
" wild man." The sound, indeed, is said to be so 
dismal, that only the most positive assurance to 
the contrary could make any one suspect that it 
issued from a human voice. Whenever any dis- 
sension takes place within the domestic circle, this 
umpire is speedily called in, pronounces and 
executes sentence, almost invariably against the 
weaker party. During the day, the coat is hung 
on a long pole, in order to be ready whenever 
Its services are required. Youths are initiated in- 
to this society at the age of sixteen, but bound by 
the most dreadful oaths never to divulge its arcana 
to any female. It seems, that about the year 17^7> 
the wife of the king of Jagra, being endowed with 
more than the usual curiosity of her sex, wrested from 
her husband this fatal secret. The fact having trans- 
pired, a council of the men was immediately held, 
to consider in what manner it would henceforth be 
possible to keep their wives in subjection. A sig- 
nal example was judged indispensable ; and the fact 
being proved, both the king and queen were put 
to death, as a warning to all who should ever again 
10 
