The grass of such a country must be very rich; and there are cows feeding
on it; yet there is no milk or butter to be had. Why? Because the people
have a foolish idea that it is wrong to milk cows.
In no country are there stronger and larger elephants; so strong and so
large that one can carry thirteen persons on his back at once.
The land is full of idols: for Buddha or Fo is worshipped in
Cochin-China, as he is in China.
The idols are sometimes kept in high trees, and priests may be seen
mounting ladders to present offerings.
But the people are not satisfied with idols in trees; they have pocket
idols, which they carry about with them everywhere.
TONQUIN.--CAMBODIA.
These two kingdoms belong to the king of Cochin-China; yet all three,
Tonquin, Cambodia, and Cochin-China, pay tribute to China, and therefore
they must be considered as conquered countries.
They are all very much like China in their customs. There are large
cities in them all, and multitudes of people, but very little is known
about them in England.
HINDOSTAN.
This word Hindostan means "black place," for in the Persian language
"hind" is "black," and "stan" is "place." You may guess, therefore, that
the people in Hindostan are very dark; yet they are not quite black, and
some of the ladies are only of a light brown complexion.
What a large country Hindostan is! Has it an emperor of its own, as China
has? No: large as it is, it belongs to the little country called England.
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