223 



which occasioned the memorable imprecation from the infatuated 

 Jews, " his blood be upon us, and upon our children !" An im- 

 precation which has been awfully accomplished; exhibiting, for 

 near two thousand years, a standing miracle in proof of the 

 Christian religion, in its dreadful consequences on this mistaken 

 people." 



It was customary among the ancients, to confirm their agree- 

 ments, by drinking human blood, in which they sometimes min- 

 gled wine. Ryjee Siting, the Bhaut whom I generally selected on 

 these occasions, was of a respectable family in the Zinore pur- 

 gun na, particularly celebrated as an historic bard, or minstrel. 

 In that part of his professional character, the Gracia chiefs took 

 very little concern, it being to them a matter of indifference, whe- 

 ther he chanted their praises, or published their crimes, so as he 

 did not rigidly exact the performance of a deed where money was 

 the object. With them, as with many superior potentates in Hin- 

 dostan, avarice superseded honour. The characters of princes 

 and historical traditions are committed to the Bhauts, in the same 

 manner as was practised among the bards and oral historians of 

 Greece. Homer was of this tribe; and the same custom pre- 

 vailed in Judea. In the chronicles of the kings of Judah, long- 

 after the death of Josiah, it is said that all the singing-men and 

 singing-women spake of that excellent monarch, in their lamen- 

 tations, unto that day. 



I wished to be guided by justice, moderation, and clemency, in 

 my dealings with theGracias; but those virtues were of little avail 

 with that unprincipled race. The best, and most efficacious mode 

 of negociating with the generality of Indian princes, was by a 



