51 



unused to it, of a disagreeable taste and smell: this is so strongly 

 heated with chilies as to render the other ingredients less distin- 

 guishable. The chatna is sometimes made with cocoa-nut, lime- 

 juice, garlic, and chilies, and, with the pickles, is placed in deep 

 leaves round the large cover, to the number of thirty or forty, the 

 Hindoos being very fond of this stimulus to their rice. These 

 pickles are not prepared with vinegar, but preserved in oil and salt, 

 seasoned with chilie and the acid of tamarinds, which in a sailed 

 state are much used in Hindostan. Brahmins, and many other 

 Hindoos, reject the onion from their bill of fare. Ghee, which, in 

 deep boats formed of leaves, seems to constitute the essence of the 

 dinner, is plentifully dispensed. The dessert consists of mangos 

 preserved with sugar, ginger, limes, and other sweetmeats; syrup 

 of different fruits, and sometimes a little ripe fruit, but the dessert 

 is not common. Such is the entertainment of a rich brahmin, who 

 eats of no animal food. 



In the extraordinary artificial distinction of castes amongst the 

 Hindoos, the Mahrattas rank but little above the lowest; and 

 therefore being universally educated in the labour and simplicity 

 of rural and agricultural society, they are admirably prepared for 

 the endurance, privations, and bodily exertions of a military life: 

 this has been the origin of many other warlike nations. The brah- 

 mins and higher orders are prohibited the use of all animal food: 

 that restriction lessens as it reaches the lower classes; amongst 

 Avhom the Mahratta is placed in such a degree of assigned degra- 

 dation, that the flesh of animals, except of the sacred ox and cow, 

 is no pollution, affording a latitude more consistent with the exi- 

 gencies and necessities of a soldier's life. It has been remarked, 



