a circle, only one gap is left, which is to pass
thro to the Bogahah Tree: and this gap is built over with a kind
of Portal. The use of these Buildings is for the entertainment of
the Women. Who take great delight to come and see these Ceremonies,
clad in their best and richest Apparel. They employ themselves in
seeing the Dancers, and the Juglers do their Tricks: who afterwards
by their importunity will get Money of them, or a Ring off their
Fingers, or some such matters. Here also they spend their time in
eating Betel, and in talking with their Consorts, and shewing their
fine Cloths. These Solemnities are always in the Night, the Booths
all set round with Lamps; nor are they ended in one Night, but last
three or four, until the Full Moon, which always puts a Period to them.

CHAP. V.

Concerning their Religions Doctrines, Opinions, And Practices.

[As to their Religion they are very indifferent.] There are few or
none zealous in their worship, or have any great matter of esteem
for their Gods. And they seldom busie themselves in the matters of
their Religion, until they come to be sick or very aged. They debar
none that will come to see the Ceremonies of their worship; and if a
stranger should dislike their way, reprove or mock at them for their
Ignorance and Folly, they would acknowledge the same, and laugh at the
superstitions of their own Devotion, but withall tell you that they
are constrained to do what they do, to keep themselves safe from the
malice and mischiefs that the evil spirits would otherwise do them,
with which, they say, their Country swarm.

[If their Gods answer not their desires, they Curse them.] Sometimes
in their Sickness they go to the House of their Gods with an Offering,
with which they present him, intreating his favour and aid to restore
them to health. Upon the recovery whereof they promise him not to fail
but to give unto His Majesty (for so they entitle him) far greater
Gifts or Rewards, and what they are, they do particularly mention;
it may be, Land, a Slave, Cattle, Money, Cloth, &c. and so they will
discourse, argue and expostulate with him, as if he were there present
in Person before them. If after this, he fails on his part, and cannot
restore them to their health, then the fore-promised things are to
remain where they were; and instead of which perhaps he gets a Curse,
saying, He doth but cheat and deceive them.

[They undervalue and revile their Gods.] It is