72 HABITS AND CUSTOMS.

as tliey walk about uncovered, exposing themselves to a scorching heat. The covering to the feet consists of sandals of undressed leather bound with straps ; the Dongolavi, however, wear sandals of tanned leather, decorated with coloured straps. On journeys, some of the natives wear sheepskin, after the same fashion as the miners* of Germany a leather behind them, to avoid sitting down naked on the burning ground.

Slaves are met with in nearly every house : the female portion is employed in domestic work, the male in agricultural labour; they receive once a year, at the feast of the great Baeram, a piece of cotton stuff; which wound round their loins constitutes their whole clothing. They are treated very well, and, in most families, partake of the same fare as their masters. The badge of servitude is, however, not wanting ; for the male slaves are generally bound in fetters, applied to their legs, to prevent them from running away. I never saw one of these * The miners in GeiTnany form almost a particular caste, and are distinguished from every other artizan by the peculiarities of their dress. It consists of a black half smock of glazed linen, with wide sleeves, contracted at the wrist, decorated with innumerable buttons, and reaches to the waist, where it is fastened by a broad belt. A leather apron, worn either in front, or, during their work, reversed, completes the uniform. The latter article of dress is essential to them in their occupation, which consists of sitting on the hard rock and breaking the ore away with their hammers. The head is covered with a thick felt hat, without a brim, on the crown of which the lantern or candle is placed, during their descent into the mines. Tr.