I was assured by several Catholics who resided at _Puduceri_[44]; and many even of this insignificant number abjured the Lutheran religion, as soon as they removed to any place beyond the boundaries of _Torangapuri_. The native Christians are fond of the images of the saints, processions, and in general the ceremonies and solemn festivals of the Catholic church; and, as the Protestants want all these things, it may be readily conceived that their simple religion can have very few attractions for the Indians[45]. * * * * * This general account of the above countries, in which I resided three months, I must here conclude. It was necessary to be given, that the reader might be better enabled to understand the remaining part of my Travels. CHAPTER IV. _Journey from Puduceri to Covalan, Maïlapuri, and Madraspatnam._ In the year 1776, a Portuguese ship, the _Nossa Senhora de Luz_, was lying at anchor in the road of Puduceri, the owner of which, John Gonzalvez, had made a voyage to Madraspatnam on his own account. As this vessel was now destined for the coast of Malabar, and as I was obliged to proceed thither in consequence of my mission, I thought it advisable not to neglect so favourable an opportunity, and to request M. Gonzalvez to give me a free passage: a request which I found myself the more obliged to make, as I had not money to defray the expences of a voyage in any other manner. Having some business, however, to settle at Madraspatnam, I set out from Puduceri on the 9th of September, in a _Dooly_ or palanquin, the bottom of which is woven of Indian cane, after the manner of our chairs, and which is covered with cloth supported by pieces of wood, in order that the traveller may not be incommoded by the beams of the sun. This palanquin is suspended from a pole, and born by six men, whom the Indians call _Coolies_, or porters; and the English, _Boys_. These people go almost naked, having nothing on their bodies but a small piece of cotton cloth, which covers what nature bids them conceal, and which is fastened round the loins with a girdle. This cloth is called by the Indians _Lingacutti_, that is, the covering of the _Lingam_ or privities, which the Europeans have converted into _Langotti_. In the Malabar language it is called _Cila_, a clout. These _Coolies_, almost perfectly naked, convey the traveller from one place to another with as much speed as a posthorse; but they must from time to time be relieved by other six of the same kind. The dexterity and expedition with which they carry the _Dooly_, or palanquin, is really astonishing. _Puduceri_ is 100 miles from _Madraspatnam_; and yet some of the servants of the English East India Company commonly perform that journey in fifteen hours. These, however, are forced journeys, for which a great number of such palanquin-bearers are necessary. The road from _Puduceri_ to _Madraspatnam_ is exceedingly good, and in