426 Report on the 'Island of Chedooba. [No. 114. 



manner of carrying more than a day's provisions through the jungle. 

 When to be eaten, it is split with the dan ; the rice is formed into a kind 

 of semi transparent jelly of strong consistency with the soft inner lining 

 of the bamboo firmly attached to it, which is eaten with it. When 

 baked with milk instead of water, and with the addition of a little flour, 

 rice cooked in this manner, is described as quite a luxury. 



As in the construction of his hut, so in all other labours and necessities, 

 the readiest assistance is rendered by every one to all ; hospitality is 

 universal, and the last grain of rice will be cheerfully shared with 

 the stranger; every village has its traveller's house, and he who occu- 

 pies it is the general guest. Besides being too independent to beg when 

 able to work, amongst a people so disposed charity has no place, or 

 rather the universal hospitality is exalted into that virtue. At a late 

 period when the whole province suffered from the visitation of cholera, 

 hundreds of children were orphaned, but neither were they sold as is 

 common in India, nor was the assistance of Government called in 

 charitable aid for their support ; all were adopted at once into families of 

 neighbours or relations, and treated as their own sons and daughters. 

 No part of the revenue was sought to be remitted, on account of the 

 general calamity, but all was paid. 



The Mug of Chedooba is strictly honest, no such thing as theft is known 

 among them, and even in the more populous towns, it is most rare, if 

 known, for a Mug to be brought into court on such a charge. In their 

 dealings with one another but one price is asked, though the simplicity 

 and honesty of such a custom is giving way before the worse example of 

 the Bengallee in the larger towns ; but no Mug will degrade himself by 

 a charge of * customs ' on the purchaser, for the benefit of his servant. 

 To this may be added that in all my experience of them, 1 do not know 

 to have had occasion to entertain even suspicion of their word. The Mug 

 will not bear the restraint on his time, or his will, necessary to qualify him 

 as a servant ; and though hard labour, when imposed, is submitted to with 

 his universal cheerfulness, it is never freely chosen. Their respect and 

 esteem of Europeans is very great, and any services in their power, were 

 cheerfully performed for our party with no object beyond that of 

 giving satisfaction. On many occasions I have found it necessary to 

 despatch a messenger to the ship, both to take, and to bring communica- 

 tions or supplies; the parties were always punctual to the time they would 

 appoint for their return, but would never take a pice in remuneration, 

 seeming hurt even at the offer, and whatever return was made them 

 was always obliged to be given strictly as a present, and as a pledge of 



