The natives of the country differ from the Burmese their conquerors both in dress and in appearance. The Peguans although somewhat stout, are well made and have regular features. Their complexion is of an olive tint. They wear no beard, but carefully pull it out as they consider it to be troublesome growth. Their teeth are naturally white, but they blacken them so that they may have no resemblance to those of a dog. The women who are lighter in colour than the men, are small with plump cheeks and well proportioned limbs. Generally speaking, they are gentle in their way, but very voluptuous. Lewd and licentious, they have quite abandoned all sense of shame. When they appear in public they wear a piece of white cotton stuff draped round their heads which bear no further ornamentation than their raven tresses. The rest of the body is practically naked, they wear but a piece of thin cloth at the waist which allows that to be seen which modesty prefers to hide. This scanty attire was not introduced by reasons of sensuality; it is said that it was the work of a sagacious Queen in order to attract the men who in their transports of passion were addicted to unnatural desires. The dress of the Burmese is different. They wear a robe of transparent muslin through which the skin tattoed with charcoal dust, can be seen. This ornamentation which is peculiar to them distinguishes them from the Peguans. Their feasts are loathsome and disgusting, as soon as the viands are produced hunger is satisfied. They flavour everything they eat with rotten fish which they use as a substitute for oil or butter just as Europeans use garlic, a plant whose odour is no less unpleasant. Having no corn, they supply its lack by cakes of rice. Their usual beverage is pure water or a liquid of agreeable flavour which they extract from a certain species of tree. Whoever takes a wife is obliged to purchase her like other cattle, and if disgust follows possession, the husband has a means of disposing of her. The woman has the same privilege, by the repayment of her purchase price. The rights of hospitality allow fathers to prostitute their daughters to their guests, who take a woman on hire in the same way as they would a house. The majority of persons whose business takes them to Pegu contract temporary alliances of this nature which have nothing of the stigma of concubinage. The Law has provided for such inconveniences as might arise. The King is the heir of all his subjects, but when there are children he has a third share only. The purity of the air makes up for the lack of medical skill. When anyone falls sick they set a table on which a choice repast is spread, to propitiate the demon, that they consider has been the author of the illnesses that afflict mankind.