TELINGAN RAGE. 



A Goorka Chief. 



A Hindoo Diamond Cutter. 



A Begging Fakir. 



in the Pacific; while the dances, shows, and processions might have passed for mummeries; but these had 

 accompanied all the substantial advantages of civilisation, laws, civil order, security of person .and property, 

 from a period anterior to the rise of Greece and Rome. We were looking upon people who have remained 

 essentially the same throughout the revolutions which have befallen other nations, and upon ceremonies, 

 that, for aught we can see to the contrary, may yet be destined to survive the institutions of Europe and 

 the West. 



" While we were at Singapore, a play was performed by the Hindoo workmen residing on Mr. Bale- 

 stier's plantation. In the music I remarked a similarity to the Spanish airs heard on the western coast of 

 America, but I should hardly have ventured an opinion on this point, had not Mr. Rich, who passed his 

 earlier years in Spain, recognised the identity. The connexion may probably be established through the 

 Muslims, but I must leave it to others to decide upon the relative claims of priority. 



"A 'clown' was in attendance, whose sayings and pranks appeared to be much relished. This custom 

 has even reached the Fejee Islands, but it does not occur upon the Chinese stage The regular acting con- 

 sisted principally of siriging and dancing conducted in the open air, and, to one unacquainted with the 

 language, was rather monotonous. But the style of the gilded head-dresses seemed to resuscitate the 

 Egyptians of antiquity ; and even the ' vulture cap' was present upon the head of one of the actors. 



"A Bramin, on account of some difficulty, was residing at Singapore; and as the hereditary growth of 

 the nobility of Europe was comparatively ephemeral, I examined with some interest his personal appear- 

 ance. The complexion was the same as in the low caste of Hindoos, and the countenance might not have 

 attracted notice in the street; but the mouth was small, the lips thin, and the facial angle approached 

 unusually near to ninety degrees. The latter circumstance was not perceived in another Bramin belonging 

 to the Telingan race, who was subsequently seen at Bombay, though in both the lobe of the ear was 

 broader than usual ; and, contrary to a custom which occurs among various uncivilised tribes, as well as in 

 the Cutch Banians, and in representations of Hindoo deities, it was not perforated. 



" The Bramin first mentioned was very affable, spoke English correctly and fluently, and was ready to 

 answer any question in relation to his religion, or to go into an argument in its defence. He stated that 

 ' Braminical religion can only be inherited ; that caste, when once lost, cannot be regained, either by the 

 individual or by his descendants ; that Braniins would lose caste by partaking of animal food, or by the 

 commission of any immorality ; and that a Bramin could leave his own and enter either of the inferior 

 castes.' The system of thus' visiting the sins of the parent upon the children seems intended to oiler the 

 utmost inducements towards leading a pure life, whatever may be said of the selfishness of the principle. 

 The reported national failings, however, tempt us to suppose, that lying and pecuniary offences can hardly 

 be mentioned in the Braminical code. The Bramin further asserted that the burning of widows continues 

 to be practised in Hindostan, at least among the upper classes." 



can 



