Page:Medical Heritage Library (IA b30530933).pdf/94

74 ; have cleaner and larger Tomys, wear Amber Beads, Copper Rings, Cowrys, and their Wooll twisted in numberless little Rings and Tufts, with bits of Shell, Straw, or Gold twisted in them. They have all a Dagger † cut in their Cheek, and often in other Parts of their Body: A Custom preserved among a few, down to the Gold Coast. The Romans and Goths, when possessed of Barbary, exempted the Christians from Tribute; and to know them, engraved a + upon their Cheeks; but this seems too distant for any Analogy with theirs. All we learn is, its being a very ancient Custom, and distinguishes them from the Country, who they Panyarr and sell for Slaves, naked at 4 oz. per Head; allowing 100 per Cent. on Goods, they cost at a medium 8l. Sterling. The Cabiceers, out of this, demand a due of 20s. and the Palaaver-Man 10s. whence I conjecture they are more regularly trained to Panyarring or thieving, than the Towns we have past.

There is a great deal of Ground cleared about this Cape, and sown with Indian Corn; first brought among the Negroes, it's said, by the Portuguese.