Besides these academies, there are preparatory gymnasiums, where great
pains are taken to discover the bent of the young, that they may be
brought up in that science to which they are best fitted. While I was at
the seminary of Keba, the bishop had four sons there, preparing for a
military course; four others, whose father was a counsellor, were
learning mechanical arts, and two maidens were studying navigation. The
rank and sex of the scholars are entirely overlooked, in their regard to
fitness and propriety.

He who challenges another to fight, loses forever his right to use
weapons, and is condemned to live under guardianship, as one who cannot
curb his passions or temper his judgment. I observed that the names of
parties who go to law, are kept secret from the judge, he not being an
inhabitant of the place where the trial is carried on. The object of
this singular law is to prevent all partiality and bribery on the part
of the judge, by withholding from him all knowledge of the influence or
property of the litigants.

Justice is executed without regard to persons. The king, indeed, is not
required to appear in court, but after death, his memory is put to the
bar of public opinion, and his life is vindicated or condemned through
the peoples' advocates. This trial takes place before the Senate, and
judgment is freely pronounced according to the weight of the evidence. A
herald proclaims the decision, which is inscribed on the king's
monument. The words used in these trials are: Praiseworthy,--good,--not
bad,--moderate,--tolerable. Sentence must be pronounced by one of these
words.

The Potuans give the following reason for this custom. The living king
cannot be brought to justice without causing rebellion. As long as he
lives, the people owe to him blind obedience and constant reverence. But
when the king is dead, the bond between them is dissolved, and, his
memory belonging to them, they are bound to justify it as his virtues
and vices principally affected themselves.

[Illustration]

The Potuanic annals show that for centuries only one king has received
the last degree of judgment--tolerable--or, in their tongue:
_Rip-fac-si_. This was King _Mikleta_. Although the Potuans are well
versed in arms, and defend themselves bravely, when attacked, they
never make war on others.

But this king excited by a miserable desire to extend the borders of his
empire, entered into an offensive war with his neighbors, and