ETHNOGRAPHY. 



161 



tinctive trait in the character of the Coolie is insincerity ; one 

 cannot depend upon what he says. The private life of those who 

 have not yet been influenced by civilisation is, generally, de- 

 praved and disgusting. It is highly encouraging, however, to 

 find that not a few among those who have settled in the island 

 have adopted a better mode of living ; the change is especially 

 remarkable among the women. In fact, the contrast between 

 the new and the old Coolies is very striking in many respects. 

 They are much attached to their cattle, especially the cows, and 

 from them mainly the public get their supply of milk. A Coolie 

 will never sell any of his cattle to the butcher for slaughter. 



The Hindoos of the Mahometan faith have been found, on 

 the whole, more intelligent, active, and industrious and orderly 

 than those of the Gentoo and other castes of India. Many 

 among them can read and write. These Asiatics still adhere to 

 their own peculiar creeds and habits ; they even continue, with 

 rare exceptions, to wear their country costume, and but few have 

 become converts to Christianity, or have persevered in the new 

 faith. Sometimes they ask to be baptized, with a view to secure i 

 some worldly advantages, and persevere in their old practices. J 

 This may be attributed partly to the unfortunate arrangement 

 which insures their return to India after a term of ten years' 

 residence in the colony. They are thus naturally led to retain 

 most of those habits which they expect to resume in full force 

 on revisiting their native land. The Coolies seem disinclined to 

 send their children to the public schools, except they are esta- 

 blished purposely for them. 



Notwithstanding the surrounding influences of civilisation, 

 the belief in sorcery is generally and strongly entertained among 

 the more ignorant classes of the population, either Asiatics or 

 Africans. This is a fact which is deplorable indeed, but which 

 I should not let pass unnoticed. Obeahism, or witchcraft, is 

 still practised by many unprincipled individuals of both sexes 

 who know that they will acquire influence and derive undu 

 advantage by inspiring the poor, the ignorant, and the credulous 

 with a dread of their practices, however disgusting or foolish. 

 Sir Emerson Tennent had the opportunity of observing, in 

 Ceylon, the same practices ; and I believe that I cannot do 

 better, with reference to this painful subject, than to quote what 

 he relates in his book on that island : — " The professors of 

 sorcery/' he remarks, " turn the practice of witchcraft and 



L 



£d 



W 



