POLYGAilS. 
173 
mitting the laborious part of their household affairs to their slaves, or, 
in want of them, to their wives. Nothing is more common than to see 
these poor creatures toiling in the h'elds and woods, v/ith a child tied 
to their backs, and fainting under their excessive burdens and heavy 
labour, or, which is still worse, hunger and thirst. What is yet more 
urprisiugly shameful is, that though they have plenty of domestic 
animals, which they might easily make use of for laborious services, 
and though they see the Portuguese do it every day to great advantage, 
yet they will rather see their tender females sink under their toil and 
labour, than take the trouble of breeding up any of those useful crea- 
tures to their assistance. 
The religion of the Congoese in many parts is downright idolatry, 
accompanied with the most ridiculous superstitions, and the most 
absurd and detestable rites, invented by their gaugas or priests ; and 
even in those parts where Christianity is professed, it is exceedingly 
darkened by superstitions of one kind or another. 
BouRGUiG:N^o]srs, or Burgundians. 
These are a northern nation, which, with others, overran the Ro- 
man empire, and settled in Gaul. They were of great stature, and 
very warlike, for which reason the emperor Valentinian the Great 
engaged them in his service against the Germans. They lived in 
tents close to each other, that they might the more readily unite on 
any unforeseen attack. These conjunctions of tents they called burghs, 
and they served them for towns. Sidonius Apoilinarius tells us, that 
they wore long hair, took great pleasure in singing, and were fond of 
praise for their vocal talents. He adds, that they were great gluttons ; 
and anointed their hair with butter, deeming that unction very orna- 
mental. Their crown was at first elective, and the authority of their 
kings depended on their success. They were answerable not only 
for their own misconduct, but likewise for the calamities of nature and 
fortune. They were deposed if they lost a battle, if they succeeded 
ill in any enterprise, or if, in short, any great event had not corre- 
ponded with the hopes of the people. They were not more favour- 
ably treated in case of a bad harvest or vintage, or if any epidemi- 
cal distemper ravaged the state. At first they w^ere governed by 
many kings, and Hendin was the title of the royal dignity : but in 
later times they were subjected to one sovereign ; and on the intro- 
duction of Christianity, they grew humane and civilized. Before that 
epocha, their religion was much the same w'ith thatof the other northern 
nations. They had many priests, the chief of whom was entitled 
Sinistrus : he was perpetual, and they paid him great respect. 
POLYGARS. 
The Polygars are natives of Bindoostan : they inhabit almost 
impenetrable woods, and are under the absolute direction of their own 
chieftains. In times of peace they are professionally robbers, but in 
times of w ar are the guardians of the country. The general name of 
