THE INHABITANTS OF COCHIN CHINA. 15 
the god Fo came to save mankind, and to expiate their sins, and 
that he alone can procure them a happy regeneration in the life to 
come. Five precepts are inculcated on those who adopt this doctrine, 
1. Not to kill any living creature ; 2. Not to take away the goods of 
another; 3. Not to pollute themselves by uncleanness : 4. Not to lie ; 
and, 5. Not to drink wine. Above all, they recommend to them to 
perform acts of mercy and benevolence, to treat their bonzes well, 
build temples, &:c. 
The doctrine of the metempsychosis has introduced into China an 
infinite number of idols, who are ail worshipped, on the supposition 
that the spirit of Fo has transmigrated into the animals they 
represent. A colon}' of Jews was established in China about A. C. 
206 ; but they are now reduced to a small number of families at Cai- 
sang, the capital of Ho-nan. The Mahometans have multiplied much 
more than the Jews. It is above 600 years since they entered the 
empire, where they have formed different establishments. They are 
become now so numerous, that, in the places where they reside, they 
exclude all who do not believe in their prophet, and frequent a 
mosque. 
The Inhabitants of Cochin China. 
The inhabitants of Cochin China are well shaped; of a light 
brown complexion, with long hair, and thin beards. M. le Poure 
represents them as gentle, hospitable, frugal, and industrious. There 
is not a beggar in the country, and robbery and murder are abso- 
lutely unknown. A stranger may wander over the kingdom from one end 
to the other, the capital excepted, without meeting with the slightest 
insult. He will be every where received with the most eager curiosity, 
but at the same time with the greatest benevolence. A Cochin 
Chinese traveller, who has not money sufficient to defray his expenses 
at an inn, enters the first house of the town or village he arrives at, 
and, waiting the hour of dinner, takes part with the family, and goes 
away when he thinks proper, without speaking a word, or any person 
putting to him a single question. The people of this country have a 
great affinity with those of Tonquin, with whom they have a common 
origin, and from whom they differ very little in their manners and 
customs, all of which they have in a great measure borrowed from 
the Chinese. 
M. Grosier says, that a false report has gained ground in Europe, 
that when a trading vessel happens to run aground in Cochin China, 
or to be driven into any of its harbours by stress of weather, the king 
seizes the cargo, if the rudder be broken. He assures us, however, 
that so far from this being the case, a vessel in distress is much safer 
on the coast of Cochin China than almost any where else. Barks are 
immediately sent to the relief of the crew, and people employed to 
drag the sea with nets, to recover the goods that are lost* In short, 
neither labour, nor expense is spared to put the ship in the best 
condition possible. As to religion, the Cochin Chinese believe in the 
metempsychosis. 
