But you would not find _all_ the Chinese customs in Cochin-China: for you would see the women walking about at liberty, and with large feet, that is, with feet of the natural size, and not cramped up like the "golden lilies" of China. Neither would you see the people treated as strictly in Cochin-China as in China. Beatings are not nearly as common there, and behavior is not nearly as good as in China. The people are very different from the Chinese; for they are gay and talkative, and open and sociable, while the Chinese are just the contrary. However, they resemble the Chinese in fondness for eating. They are very fond of giving grand dinners, and sometimes provide a hundred dishes, and invite a hundred guests. A man is thought very generous who gives such grand dinners. No one in Cochin-China would think of eating his morsel alone, but every one asks those around to partake; and if any one were not to do so, he would be counted very mean. Yet the people of Cochin-China are always begging for gifts; and if they cannot get the things they ask for, they steal them. Are they generous? No, because they are covetous. It is impossible to be at the same time generous and covetous; for what goodness is there in giving away our own things, if we are wishing for other people's things? And now let us leave the _people_ and look at the _land_. It is fruitful and beautiful, being watered abundantly by fine rivers: but these rivers, flowing among lofty mountains, often overflow, and drown men and cattle. 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.