~J 
1922.] History and Ethnology of N.-E. India. | 5 
The majority of Farangis read and bien write Bengali, 
which has become the vernacular of all classes. Each indivi- 
dual is given at Baptism a Portuguese er but an assumed 
Bengali one is commonly u A few Portuguese words are 
still spoken, and the names * ol festivals and religious cere- 
monies are the same as in Europe. Yet, strange to say, Lent 
is called “Roza,” the Persian she of the Ramazan fast. No 
Farangi possesses a Bible! but each one wears a rosary and a 
crucifix. On Fridays they eschew flesh and during Lent ob- 
serve a strict fast. In most houses a recess, containing an altar, 
or ‘‘ Prie-dieu,”’ is found, before which a lamp is lighted every 
evening, and on which flowers are arranged on Pete am geye 
pee to pes, the Pacangis are on a par with their 
neighbours, but in their intemperate habits, against which the 
pulpit fulminates a vain, they sink below the non- -Christian 
races around them 
APPENDIX ITI. 
‘“*HIstoRIcCAL PRECIS OF THE CONNECTION OF THE CONGRE- 
GATION DE PROPAGANDA FIDE witH EASTERN BENGAL.’ 
(Together with recent figures relating to the number of I ndian 
Catholics in the Dacca District). 
Through the courtesy of the Rev. Father A. E. Blin, C.S.C., 
Vicar of the Cathedral, Dacca, I am enabled to add the follow - 
ing notes on the Propaganda Mission to Eastern Bengal during 
PIR Stele Tet CC cele mace Deon crm ee eee 
‘‘'There was no translation of the Bible for Catholics till lately 
ak the Bishop of Krishnagar published the New Testament ; 
Wise’s time there were catechisms, prayer-books and man, _ things 
Dr. Wise did not know that the three first books ever published in 
Bengali, dating from 1743, were published by the Augustinians. he Je- 
suits who laboured among the Christians of Don Antonio had been active 
too at preparing vocabularies, a grammar, a catechism, ete. 
pen ae 
Pb sei are no longer kept, so this trade has ceased. H.E.S. ] 
in the case of most other Bengalis of the present day, 

snbenrcated to is certainly a he past and the com- 
mon complaint of the priests is the refusal of their flock ten to 
reasonable advice or admonition. In the case, however, of intemperance 
distinct change for the better is said to be perceptible. H.E.S 
