MADRAS JOURNAL 



OF 



LITERATURE AND SCIENCE. 



No. ^.—January ^ 1834. 



L — Extract from the Memoir oj the Survey of Travancore^ com- 

 piled by Lieutenant Conner, 

 {Continued from tke 7th Page of our last Number.) 



Than Travancore and Cochin, few parts of the Peninsula present 

 so great variety in its population, there is some difference of features 

 and shade of colour, but they are still less distinguished by their 

 habits and appearance, than alienated by prejudice and institution 

 of cast. There is of course some analogy of character, and their 

 manners too has a considerable affinity to those of their eastern 

 neighbours, but each have peculiarities in their habits of domestic 

 life, that mark a discrimination, in some points a much greater di- 

 versity, than would be inferred from their vicinity. 



Receding a short distance from the coast, the character of the 

 population perhaps somewhat improves. The provincial divisions 

 present some varieties. To the south, probably arising from the 

 deteriorating mixture of Vellaulers, they display an obstinate refrac- 

 toriness, that it is often as necessary to coerce as to conciiiate ; ap- 

 proaching north, particularly throughout Cochin, this waywardness 

 of disposition is succeeded by a mild and peaceable demeanor ; 

 their simplicity of manners is infinitely less vitiated than in other 

 parts, at least it has received but little alteration from an intercourse 

 with foreigners ; with prejudices infinitely more insurmountable and 

 unconnected by any interest or intercourse that could occasion com- 

 munity of sentiment, they assimilate to Europeans still less than any 

 other natives, nor perhaps need we much regret their ignorance of 

 them, as such association too often diminishes their respect, and taints 

 their virtues without abating their prejudices. The interior is sel- 

 dom visited by Europeans, and to this perhaps may be ascribed the 

 ready attention which the traveller experiences, but the natives by 



