806 The Hodesum (improperly called Kolehan). [No. 104. 



filchings were not so much minded, but now that their excursions have 

 been put a stop to, the owners get more careful, and keep a better 

 look out on the Gwallas. The sheep also, which are numerous in 

 some parts, have been pronounced by judges to be equal to the Patna 

 mutton for the table ; but these and goats, as well as poultry, the 

 Hos part with with difficulty, as they require them for their 

 sacrifices, &c. A peculiarity in the country, is the immense flocks 

 of pigeons, which breed in every village, and aflford the poorest a 

 delicacy at all seasons. With money the Hos are getting pretty well 

 acquainted, but still hold copper coin in great disdain, seldom taking 

 the trouble to count a large quantity, but reckoning it by handfuls, 

 to the unfeigned astonishment of our Hindoo servants, who would 

 squabble for the tenth part of a cowree. 



In summing up this account of the Hos race by a description of 

 their general character, their virtues and vices, I may perhaps fall 

 into the error of a little partiality in their favour; three years constant 

 intercourse with them, in which their love of truth, their honesty, 

 their obliging willingness, and their happy ingenuous disposition, form- 

 ed so striking a contrast to the mass of the people in Hindustan, 

 may perhaps have induced me to pass lightly over faults to which 

 they are but too liable ; but this error (a pleasing one) is I imagine 

 shared with me, by all the European residents who were at 

 Chyebassa. Whether the duplicity and bad propensities of Hindoos 

 in general, be owing to their intercourse with us, or whether it 

 be inherent among them, is a point at present mooted, and not be de- 

 cided by myself But among this simple race, the reputed evils 

 of civilization have not yet commenced to be felt; and fervently is 

 it to be trusted, though, alas, the hope may be Utopian, that the 

 introduction of our Courts of Justice, in checking the lawless tendency 

 of the Koles, may not destroy those virtues which are inherent to 

 a primitive state of society. The unhappy feuds which, handed 

 down through generations, formerly existed among them, were owing 

 rather to mistaken notions of honour, than to more malignant feelings ; 

 and the best proof of this, is the ease with which through a little timely 

 advice, quarrels a I'outrance of the oldest standing have been made 

 up, and whole clans readily reconciled to each other. After the first 

 rough settlements of this country had been made, this became the 



