1849.] K6cch, Bodo and Bhimdl people. 1\7 



necessary corrupter of morals. True, the Bodo and Dhimal do not pre- 

 tend to the somewhat pharisaical abstemiousness or cleanliness of the 

 Hindus. But I am not therefore disposed particularly on Hindu evi- 

 dence, to tax them with the disgusting vices of drunkenness and dirti- 

 ness, though these, and obstinacy, if any, are the vices we must lay to 

 their charge, as the counterpoise of many and unquestionable virtues. 

 Peasant, be it remembered, must be compared with peasant, and not 

 peasant with people of higher condition ; and if the comparison be thus 

 fairly made, it may perhaps be truly decided, that the Bodo and Dhi- 

 mal are less sober and less cleanly and less tractable than the people of 

 the plains — more sober and more cleanly and more tractable than those 

 of the hills. The Bodo and Dhimals are good husbands, good fathers 

 and not bad sons ; and those who are virtuous in these most influential 

 relations, are little likely to be vicious in less influential ones, so that it 

 need excite no surprise that these people, though dwelling in the forest, 

 apart from the inhabitants of the open country, are never guilty of 

 black mailing or dacoity against them, whilst among themselves crimes 

 of deep dye are almost unknown. To the ostentatious hospitality of 

 many nations whose violence against their neighbours is habitual, they 

 make no pretensions ; but among their own people they are hospitable 

 enough, and towards the stranger, invariably equitable and temper- 

 ate. 



