a kingdom of Asia, on the coast of Malabar. The inhabitants are Gentoos, or Pagans; and there is a pagod, or temple, called Ramnath, 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 practised to this day. The country is generally governed by a woman who keeps her court at a town called Bayor, 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, &c. The Portuguese clergy here live very loosely, and make no scruple of procuring women for strangers.