Several junks were laying in a bason near it, protected by a pier. Another mole or bason appeared to the S. W. of the other, near some white houses of a superior construction, enclosed by a thick wood.
The villages seemed to abound with people, and the harbour full of boats sailing about on their different avocations. They were similar in figure, though inferior in workmanship, to the Chinese boats; and like them made use of skulls and matted sails.
As we came near another village they stopped and begged
we
would not proceed any farther; and we complied with their request. On
our return we re-marked several graves, which the natives had pointed
out and explained to us: they were placed in an East and West direction,
and the ground elevated over them. Trees were planted in a semi-circular
form round most of them, and universally distinguished by some stone work.
We got on board to dinner, and in the afternoon we were visited by some superior people, who came from up the harbour. They were dressed in large loose gowns, and were paid great deference to by the common people. They had on large black hats, with high crowns, manufactured with a strong gauze not unlike horse hair, very stiff and strong. They tied them under the chin; and these hats, serving as umbrellas, were three feet in diameter.
Each person carried a fan, with a small fillagree box attached
to it, containing perfume; and a knife handsomely mounted was fastened
round their waist. A boy attended each of them, who had charge of their
tobacco pipes; and whose occupation was to keep their dresses smooth.
Most of them wore their beards long.
VII
1797
October 15th