One of my questions is the use of viz throughout. Was this common at the time? I seem to remember that it was a sort of standard abbreviation, but couldn't find it in my dictionary. Other "weird words" were dub, searce (for sieve), and his continued use of the word "miserable" for his condition. Word usage/meanings change over time, but I still stumble a bit over that miserable thing.
I had wondered what happened to the cats when the one returned only to dispatched with a sentence or two! So much for plot continuity or kindness to animals. His attitude toward women doesn't seem to be very favorable nor of course, the Negroes or Indians. Such casual racism grates, but I know it was a common attitude.
One last question: What/where is Sallee? I didn't quite understand where he was held as a slave and my geography failed me.
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According to the notes to my edition Sallee is a Moroccan sea port. Viz. is short for videlicet and means "that is to say" or "namely." There are several inconsistencies in the book--critics still differ over how to make sense of them.
I was actually wondering the same thing, thank you for clearing that up.
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