‘908 
vest, the Brahmin-is sent for, ‘who 
burns ghee, and says prayers over 
the colleéted heap ; all present join 
in the ceremony ; and the Brahmin 
receives, as his part, one measure of 
grain in’ that implement which is 
employed in winnowing it. He is 
employed by all the farmers, and at 
each harvest he colleéts no con- 
temptible tithing for a village curate ; 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1803. 
besides this, the Brahmin’ receives 
many different fees and annuities. 
At each marriage he claims five, per 
cent. of the bride’s whole portion ; 
in cases where the parents can afford 
no marriage dower§ the bridegroom 
pays the Brahmin his fee, which 
rises with the circumstances of the 
party: but even to a poor man it 
POETRY. 
‘costs five rupees. 
