OP KAMAON. 163 



of money is, however, invariably paid by the suitor to the nearest relation of 

 the bride, a practice reprobated in the plains. This sum varies from twenty- 

 five to a thousand rupees, according to the rank and property of the parties, 

 and from this amount are defrayed the expences of the marriage ceremonies, 

 and of the bride's portion. In equal marriages, among the high classes of 

 landholders and merchants, and among the Brahmins, the disbursement 

 generally exceeds the sum received from the bridegroom. In cases of 

 second and subsequent engagements entered into by persons of this 

 description, the new bride is received on terms of inferiority to the first 

 wife, and the dower, and other expences, are less proportionate to the sum paid. 

 The latter observation applies to all contracts of this nature, which take 

 place in the remaining classes of the population, such transactions being, in 

 point of fact and custom, one of regular sale, conveying to the husband and 

 his heirs, the free and disposable property in the person of the wife, a right 

 which, though now not recognised, was, under the former governments, daily 

 put in practice. When the means of the suitor are insufficient to satisfy the 

 demands of the parents, an equivalent is sometimes accepted in the personal 

 services of the former, for a given period of years. The marriage is complet- 

 ed on the signing of the contract, and at its expiration, the contractor is at 

 liberty to carry away his wife. 



The custom of many brothers having one wife in common, has long 

 ceased to be practised in any parts of this province, but the widow of an elder 

 brother is commonly re-married to the next brother. 



The dead bodies are here burnt, with the usual Hindu ceremonies. 

 Where death may have ensued from any disorder supposed to be contagious, 

 the body is usually buried in the first instance, and after the lapse of two or 

 three months, the remains are dug up and burnt on a pile. Satis were 

 numerous under the former government, but have now greatly decreased, 



