CANARA, a kingdom of Aſia, on the coaſt of Malabar. The inhabitants are Gentooſ, or Pagans; and there is a pagod or temple, called Ramurut, which is viſited every year by a great number of pilgrims. Here the cuſtom of burning the wives with their huſbands had its beginning, and is praſtiſed to this day. The country is generally governed by a woman, who keeps her court at a town called Baydor, two days journey from the ſea. She may marry whom ſhe pleaſes; and is not obliged to burn with her huſband, like her female ſubjects. They are ſo good obſervers of their laws, that a robbery or murder is ſcarce ever heard of among them. The Canarans have forts built of earth along the coaſt, which are garriſoned with 200 or 300 ſoldiers, to guard againſt the robberies of their neighbours. The lower grounds yield every year two crops of corn or rice; and the higher produce pepper, betel-nuts, ſanders wood, iron, and ſteel. The Portugueſe clergy here live very looſely, and make no ſcruple of procuring women for ſtrangers.