258 
The Candians. 
every respect the same, only that the difference in the shape of 
the cap is still observable. Of the Candian men in general it 
may be said that they are better drest than the Cinglese, as 
well as fairer in the complexion. 
It may seem strange, that after having lived upwards of three 
years on the island, and after having traversed the interior 
even to the capital, I should still be able to describe the Can- 
dian women only from the report of others. Such, however, 
was the watchful suspicion of that people, that during tlie whole 
progress of the embassy not one female was permitted to fall 
in our way. This is one of the strongest proofs of the appre- 
hension which the conduct of the Dutch has excited among the 
Candians, as they are by no means particularly jealous of their 
women, and certainly kept them out of sight merely from a 
fear of intelligence being communicated to the Europeans. 
From the enquiries which I have repeatedly made, I never 
could learn that there is any material difference either in the 
manners, appearance, or dress of the Candian and Cinglese 
women. 
The Candians are divided into different classes, which take 
precedence of each other according to most scrupulous regula- 
tions. The first class comprises the nobles ; these account it 
their chief glory to keep their high blood uncontaminated, and 
for this reason never intermarry with those of an inferior rank. 
If a woman of this cast were found to have degraded herself 
by connexion of any kind with a man of a lower cast, her life 
would be the forfeit. By this regulation they boast that their 
blood is preserved pure to the latest posterity. This cast, as 
among the Cinglese, is known by the name of Hondrews ; 
and the dress among both is the same. The Cinglese Hon- 
9 
