THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
143 
Although the black Portuguese universally profess the 
Christian religion, and are commonly Roman Catholics, yet 
they retain many Pagan customs, and their religion may be 
considered as a compound of both. They affect to derive 
their religion as well as their descent from the European 
Portuguese, though the name be almost the only thing they 
retain of either. The Dutch have allowed priests and other 
missionaries to go among them ; and there are many of them 
who profess the Protestant religion and go to the churches of 
the Dutch. In general they are somewhat fairer than the 
Moors and Malabars ; but those who are so to any consider- 
able degree, may be looked upon as the offspring of the 
Dutch in later times; for the blood of the European Portu- 
guese has been so intermixed as to leave scarce a trace be- 
o 
hind. Complexions of all sorts are indeed found among this 
mongrel race, from a jetty black to a sickly yellow, or tawny 
hue. Their hair, which is black or dark brown, is worn 
long, and usually tied, contrary to the custom of the Ma- 
hometans. Some of their women are pretty, and much admired 
for their figures. The men are about the middle size, slen- 
der, lank, and ill-made, so as easily to be distinguished. 
Their whole expence runs upon dress ; they are fond to ex- 
cess of shew and finery, and never stir out without putting 
on their best clothes. They are lazy, treacherous, effeminate, 
and passionate to excess; and retain so much of the charac- 
ter of their boasted progenitors, as to be distinguished for a 
ridiculous pride. Like the Portuguese of Europe, they have 
U 
