and number; but some sects of Brahmins, and a very peculiar 

 tribe of people called Bhauts, claimed an established privilege 

 of being exempted from every kind of tax and imposition. 



The Bhauts reside chiefly in the province of Guzerat, but are 

 not unknown in other pails of India; like the troubadors and 

 minstrels in Europe in the days of chivalry, they seem chiefly oc- 

 cupied in repealing verses of their own composition, or selections 

 from the mythological legends of the Hindoos; they chant their 

 verses in a style peculiar to themselves, not unpleasing to a stran- 

 ger, as the modulation of the voice, and an energetic graceful 

 action give etfect to the poetry; which, like the old ballads in 

 Europe, is either to praise some renowned warrior, commemorate 

 a victory, record a tragical event, or panegyrise a present object 

 The Hindoo rajahs and Mahralta chieftains have generally a Bhaut 

 in their family, who attends them on public occasions, and visils 

 of ceremony; during these processions he loudly sounds their 

 praise, and proclaims their titles in hyperbolical and figurative 

 language. Tacitus mentions the historic songs and traditions of 

 the German bards: the Greeks and other ancient nations en- 

 couraged them; perhaps Homer himself may be included in a class 

 which like him repeat their legendary tales, and are the oral histo- 

 rians of the country. 



Although this is the usual occupation of the Bhauts, many of 

 them have another mode of living; they offer themselves as secu- 

 rity to the different governments for payment of their revenue, and 

 the good behaviour of the Zemindars. Palels, and public farmers; 

 they also become guarantees for treaties between rival princes, and 

 the performance of bonds by individuals. No security is esteemed 



VOL. II. N 



