435 



pendent labourer, who receives a fixed share of the produce; 

 and out of it defrays the expenses of cultivation; his share of 

 the above seventy-two is thirty-eight, and the proprietor's thirty- 

 four; the former being twenty-eight per cent., and the latter 

 twenty-seven per cent,, upon the whole sum to be divided, viz, 

 one hundred and thirty-two. The difference is remarkable (as it 

 necessarily must be from the facility of culture) between the ex- 

 penses of cultivation, and maintenance of the farmer's family, in 

 this province and in Canara; viz. twenty-eight per cent, and fifty 

 per cent." 



I shall close this part of the subject with the translation of a 

 bill of sale of some land in India, written originally in the Tamul 

 language, introduced in those valuable researches. It affords a 

 very satisfactory specimen of those deeds among the natives of 

 India. 



" Be it propitious! 



" On this fortunate day, Monday the 16th of the month Ahvany, 

 of the year (of the cycle) Kahlyuktee, in the year of Salinahan 

 1720, and of the Call Yug 4899, being the third day of the increas- 

 ing moon, under the auspicious conjunction and happy influence 

 of the constellation Ashanaltee and Magarum: Kistna Sawney 

 Villa of Cunnatoor, the son of Vencatachelum Pi/la, for himself and 

 his house executes this deed of sale of land to Cumdnce Sawrhey 

 Pilla. That is to say : of the twenty-eight established shares 

 of Cunnatoor, I have made a full and complete sale to you of 

 my own two shares therein, for one hundred chuckrums; and 

 you having paid, and I having received the said one hundred 



