55 Memoir of the Survey of Travancore. [January 



no means seek his acquaintance ; indeed tliey are s"hy of strangers 

 and retained by their attachment to the soil (which amongst all 

 ranks is no where so powerful. It may be that the requisites for the 

 support or enjoyment of life are here more limited or less difficult 

 of attainment) for ever within the limits of their own village or dis- 

 trict, they know or care little for other countries, have no curiosity 

 of adventure, and even an imperfect knowledge of their neighbours, 

 whom they regard as inferior to them. 



Generally speaking except the higher classes of Nairs, and the 

 inhabitants of the most southern districts, the body of the popula- 

 tion are of a more passive and docile temper than those of the other 

 parts of the Peninsula, their composed deportment and languid gra- 

 vity of disposition, is not easily heated beyond its usual temperatu'.e, 

 and never hurried into that animated vehemence of vituperation, so 

 common on the other coast on the most trifling occasions of dis- 

 pute ; but it is easier still to stimulate their passions than excite their 

 industry ; their listless habits, in which the possession of slaves en- 

 ables them to indulge, renders them averse to active labour, and ex- 

 cept the very lower classes, whom a pressing necessity alone urges 

 to diligence, they rather enjoy their possessions in lazy indolence, 

 than increase them, at least at the expense of personal effort. It 

 must be admitted however that mendicity is rare except amongst the 

 christian population, who in fact furnish nearly the whole amount, 

 \vhich presents a greater and more disgusting variety of decrepitude 

 than can be well conceived. Crime is not common, perhaps the 

 more serious offences are less frequent than in the neighbouring 

 countries ; if at distant intervals instances of atrocity do occur, they 

 are mostly traceable to the Maupulays ; even theft is comparatively 

 rare, and aitho' many of the lower classes are tempted by the facility 

 of concealment and urgency of want, this vice is' not particularly 

 ascribable to them. Falsehood is the common stain of the native 

 character, but the distance between promise and performance is 

 particularly remarkable in Malliallum, at least this part of it. The 

 inhabitants of which are characterized as perpetual liars, the charge 

 tho' too general in its application, may not be entirely unfounded, 

 but it must not be conceived inconsistent with the possession of 

 many amiable qualities, though truth does not constitute one of 

 them, and they may perhaps be considered as exercising many vir- 

 tues as their neighbours, but not exactly of the same stamp, at 

 least an abatement must be made on the score of continence which 

 is by no means the most ready attribute of the community here. 

 To mend their morals a more general diffiusion as well as improve- 



