244 HINDOO MANNERS. 



dry in the sun, presents a disgusting spectacle. The nayr, 

 or Malabar noble, accounts himself polluted by the touch, 

 or even the close approach of these unfortunate fellow- 

 beings ; nay, in such a case, he is legally authorized to 

 kill them on the spot. The Pariahs therefore find it ne- 

 cessary to prevent such a meeting ; and if they happen to 

 enter a path which may render it inevitable, they must 

 announce their presence by uttering certain sounds, that 

 the great man may be warned of the impure object with 

 whose contact he is threatened. Bands of them often take 

 their station at a little distance from the highway, "howling 

 like hungry dogs," and imploring the passenger to deposite 

 some coarse viands which they may afterward approach 

 and take. They are rendered the more odious to the purer 

 classes by their filth, their eating indiscriminately every 

 description of food, and by other excesses usually shunned 

 by Hindoos of respectability. 



In estimating Hindoo society, as modified by these insti- 

 tutions, we may remark one circumstance which seems at 

 first view to give it some superiority over that of Europe. 

 Here rank is constituted by the possession of birth, riches, 

 and power. A character for wisdom and virtue, indeed, 

 renders a man respectable in his station ; but, unless it also 

 procures him wealth or title, will not raise him to a higher. 

 In India, on the other hand, rank is constituted by having 

 at least the reputation of learning and piety. Wealth and 

 power, even in the greatest degree, though they make a 

 man conspicuous in his caste, do not elevate him above it. 

 Yet, though the principle seems just, it is applied in a 

 manner so absurd and indiscriminating as to degrade 

 instead of raising the mass of society. The distinction is 

 not formed by any reference to the actual possession of 

 these qualities, but is confined by birth and an imaginary 

 celestial origin to a privileged class, who, in order to 

 preserve their own superiority, studiously exclude all others 

 from any participation in their advantages. The Bramin, 

 instead of striving to diffuse knowledge among his country- 

 men, interdicts all their attempts to attain it ; instead of 

 pointing the way to heaven, he shuts it against them. His 

 priestly ministrations are limited to the performance of a 

 round of unmeaning ceremonies, and do not aim at convey- 

 ing to the people any instruction either religious or moral. 



