They take something after the Bramines, with whom they scruple not both to marry and eat.  In both which otherwise they are exceeding shy and cautious.  For there being many Ranks or Casts among them, they will not match with any Inferiour to themselves; nor eat meat dressed in any house, but in those only that are of as good a Cast or Race as themselves:  and that which any one hath left, none but those that are near of kin will eat.

They are not very malitious one towards another; and their anger doth not last long; seldom or never any blood shed among them in their quarrels.  It is not customary to strike; and it is very rare that they give a blow so much as to their Slaves; who may very familiarly talk and discourse with their Masters.  They are very near and covetous, and will pinch their own bellies for profit; very few spend-thrifts or bad husbands are to be met with here.

[The Inhabitants of the Mountains differ from those of the Low-Lands.] The Natures of the Inhabitants of the Mountains and Low-lands are very different.  They of the Low-lands are kind, pittiful, helpful, honest and plain, compassionating Strangers, which we found by our own experience among them.  They of the Up-lands are ill-natured, false, unkind, though outwardly fair and seemingly courteous, and of more complaisant carriage, speech and better behaviour, than the Low-landers.

[Their good opinion of Virtue, though they practice it not.] Of all Vices they are least addicted to stealing, the which they do exceedingly hate and abhor, so that there are but few Robberies committed among them.  They do much extol and commend Chastity, Temperance, and Truth in words and actions; and confess that it is out of weakness and infirmity, that they cannot practice the same, acknowledging that the contrary Vices are to be abhorred, being abomination both in the sight of God and Man.  They do love and delight in those Men that are most Devout and Precise in their Matters.  As for bearing Witness for Confirmation in any matters of doubt, a Christians word will be believed and credited far beyond their own:  because, they think, they make more Conscience of their words.

[Superstitious.] They are very superstitious in making Observations of any little Accidents, as Omens portending good to them or evil.  Sneezing they reckon to import evil.  So that if any chance to sneeze when he is going about his Business, he will stop, accounting he shall have ill success if he proceeds.  And none may Sneeze, Cough, nor Spit in the King’s Presence, either because of the ill boding of those actions, or the rudeness of them or both.  There is a little Creature much like a Lizzard, which they look upon altogether as a Prophet, whatsoever work or business they are going about; if he crys, they will cease for a space, reckoning that he tells them there is a bad Planet rules at that instant.  They take great notice in a Morning at their first going out, who first appears in their sight:  and if they see a White Man, or a big-bellied Woman, they hold it fortunate:  and to see any decrepit or deformed People, as unfortunate.