LETTER VI

Summary

From Mangalòr, Decemb. 9, 1623

Having already seen in Ikkerì as much as there was remarkable, and being very desirous of seeing Barselòr, Mangalòr, and also principally the Queen of Olala, whose Dominion and Residence are contiguous to Mangalòr, as well because she is Sovereign of those parts, (a thing not ordinary in other Countries) and a Princess famous in our dayes, even in the Indian Histories of the Portugals, as because she is a Gentile in Religion, as likewise all her Subjects are, (whence, I conceiv'd, I might possibly see some considerable curiosity there) I lay'd hold of the occasion of going thither in company of these Men who are sent by the Ambassador, by whose favour being provided of a good Horse (in regard that there were no Palanchinos to be hir'd in Ikkerì) and a Man to carry my baggage upon his Head I prepar'd to set forth the next Morning.

November the three and twentieth. Before my departure from Ikkerì I was presented by Vitulà Sinay (of whom I had before taken leave) with a little Book, written in the Canara language, which is the vulgar tongue in Ikkerì and all that State. It is made after the custom of the Country, not of paper, (which they seldom use) but of Palm-leaves, to wit of that Palm which the Portugals call Palmum brama, i.e., Wild-palm, and is of that sort which produces the Indian Nut; for such are those commonly found in India, where Palms that produce Dates are very rare.