[Their Books, and Arts.] Their Books are only of their Religion and of Physick.  Their chief Arts are Astronomy and Magick.  They have a Language something differing from the vulgar tongue (like Latin to us) which their Books are writ in. [How they learn to write.] They learn to write upon Sand, spreading it upon the ground, and making it smooth with the hand, and so write the letters with their fingers to bring their hand in use.

They write not on Paper, for of that they have little or none; but on a Talli-pot leaf with an Iron Bodkin, which makes an impression.  This leaf thus written on, is not folded, but rolled up like Ribbond, and somewhat resembles Parchment.

[How they make and write a Book.] If they are to write a Book, they do it after this manner.  They take the Tallipot leaf, and cut it into divers pieces of an equal shape and size, some a foot, some eight inches, some a foot and an half long, and about three fingers broad.  Then having thus prepared the leaves, they write in them long ways from the left hand to the right, as we do.  When the Book is finished they take two pieces of board, which are to serve for the cover of the Book.  To these boards are fastened two strings, which do pass thro every leaf of the Book, and these tye it up fast together.  As the Reader hath read each leaf, he lifts it up, and lays it by still hanging upon the strings, and so goes to the next leaf, something resembling Bills filed upon Wyre.

[The Priests write Books of Bonna.] The Gonnies, who are men of leisure, write many Books of Bonna, that is of the Ceremonies of their Religion:  and will sometimes carry them to great Men, as a present, and do expect a reward.

[The King’s Warrants how wrapped up.] The King when he sends any Warrants or Orders to his Officers, hath his Writings wrapped up in a way proper to himself, and none else do or may fold up their leaves in that manner but He.

[They write upon two sorts of leaves.] They write upon the Tallipat leaves Records or matters of great moment, or that are to be kept and preserved:  but for any ordinary business as Letters, &c. they commonly use another leaf, called Taulcole.  The leaves of which will bear a better impression than the Tallipat, but they are more stubborn, and harder than the other, and will not fold.

[Their Skill in Astronomy.] But to speak a little of their Astronomy.  They who have understanding in it, and practise it, are the Priests of the highest Order, of which the present King’s Father was.  But the common sort of Astronomers are the Weavers.  These men can certainly foretel Eclipses of the Sun and Moon.  They make [Their Almanacks.] Leet, that is Almanacks that last for a Month.  They are written upon a Tallipat leaf, a little above a foot long, and two fingers broad.  In them are told the Age of the Moon, and the good Seasons and times to begin to Plough or to Sow, or to go a Journey, or to take any work in hand.  On this precise time they will be sure to sprinkle their first Seed, tho they sow all their Field it may be a Month after.  And so they will begin to set forth at the very moment, tho possibly they will not go till some days after.