Untitled

Dunstan Times, Issue 624, 3 April 1874, Page 3

A young Brazilian and his wife, riding towards Forquihas, were attacked by a savage dog, which rushed at them from a house. The lady’s mule,becoming frightened, it threw her, and she fell on her head with snch force that her skull cracked like a nutshell. The unhappy husband drew a pistol and killed the dog. The owner' of the dog, infuriated at his loss, seized a gun and shot the young man dead ; but was immediately slain by a ball from the young man’s peon, who had witnessed the catastrophe, and thus avenge-,I his master's death. The peon was tried for murder, hut IKK a emitted by the Jaiy.

singularities observed BY VARIOUS NATIONS IN THEIR REPASTS. The, Maldivian islanders eat alojie. They retire into the most hidden parts of their houses, and they drawdown the cloths that serve as blinds to their windows, that they may eat unobserved, This custom probably arises from the savage, in early periods of society, concealin'* himself to eat ; : he fear;/that another with as sharp an appetite, hut more strong than himself, should come and ravish his meal frera him. The ideas of witchcraft are also widely spread among barbarians ; and they are not a little fearful that some incantation may be thrown among their victuals, In i o icing the solitary meals of the Maldivian islander, another reason may be alleged for this misanthropical repast. They never will eat with any one who is inferior to them in birth, in riches- or dignity ; and as it is a difficult matter to settle tills equality, they arc compelled to lead this unsociable life. On the contrary, the islanders of the PhilHpincs are remarkably socia ble Whenever one of them finds himself without a companion to partake of his meal, he runs till he meets with one ; and we are assun d that, however keen his appetite may be, he ventures not to satisfy it without a guest. The Otaheitesns, who are naturally sociable, and very gentle in their manners, feed separately from each other. At the hour of repast, the members of each family divide; two brothers, two sisters, and even husband and wife,fatherand mother, have each their respective basket. They place themselves at the distance of two or - three yards from each other, they turn their backs, and take their meal in profound silence. The custom of drinking at different hours fiom those assigned for eating is to be met with amongst many savage nations. It was originally begun from necessity It became a habit, which subsisted even when the fountain wan near to them. A people transplanted, preserve in another climate inodes of living which relate to those from whence they originally came. It is thus the Indians of Brazil scrupulously abstain from eating when they drink, andfiom drinking when they eat. Wien neither decency nor politeness are known, the man who invites his friends to a repast is gi ea'ly embarrassed to testify his esteem for his guests, and to present them with some amusement; for the savage guest imposes on him this obligation. Amongst the greater part of the American Indians, the host is continually on the watch to solicit them to eat, but touches nothing himself. In ,'ew France, he wearies himself with singing, to divert the company when they eat. When civilization advances, men wish to shew their confidence to their friends ; they treat their guests as relations, and it is said that in China the master of the house, to give a mark of his politeness, absents himself while bis guests regale tin tnaelves at bis table with undisturbed revelry The demonstrations of friendship in a rude state have a savage am! gross character, which it is not a little curious to observe. The Tartars pull a man by the ear to press him to drink and they continue tormenting him till be opens his month, then they clap their bands and dance before him. No customs seem m< mo ridiculous than.those practised by a Kamschatkan, when he wishes to make another his friend. He first invites him to eat. The host and his guest strip themselves in a cabin which is heated to an uncommon degree. While the guest devours the food with which they seive him, the other continually stirs the fire. The stranger must bear the excess of the heat as well of the repast. He vomits ten times before he will yield; but. at length obliged to acknowledge himself overcome, he begins to compound matters. He purchases a moment’s respite by a present of clothes or dogs ; for his host threatens to heat the cabin, and olbgc him to eat till ho dies. The stranger has the right of retaliat ion allowed to him ; he treats in the same manner, and exacts the same presents. Should ids host not accept the invitation of him whom he had so handsome ly regaled, ; n that case the guest would take po=se'sion of his cabin, till he had the presents returned to him which the other had in so singular a manner obtained. For this extravagant custom a curious reason has been alleged. It is meant to put the person to a trial, whose friendship is sought. The Kamschatdale, who is at the expense of the fires, and the repast, is desirous to know if the stranger has the strength to’ support pain with him, and if he is generous enough to share with him some of his property. While the guest is employed on his meal, ho continues heating the cabin to an insupportable degree ; ar.d for a last proof of the stranger’s constancy and attachment, he exacts more clothes and more dogs. The host passes through the same ceremonies in the cabin of the stranger ; and he shows in his turn, wjth what degree of fortitude ho can defend his friend. As a distinguished mark nf their

esteem, the negroes of Adra drink oi of one cup nt (ho same tjnu\ T'l king of Loaugo cats in due house, an drinks in another A Karm-ohatkii kneels before his guests; he cuts a enormous slice from a sea-calf; hj crams it entire into the mouth of hi friend, furiously, crying out “ Taim! c —There! and cutting away win hangs about his lips, snatches tin swallows it with avidity. A barbarous magnificence attendee the feasts of the ancient morarcha < France. After their coronation o consecration, when they set at tahh (he nobilitv served them on horsi back. —Curiosities of Literature. i . —,