63 Memoir of the Survey of Travancore. [January 



lands, but it is an easy servitude in which they are held by interest 

 and spell of cast, rather than law, somewhat aristocritical in their 

 notions, they are shy and rather avoid than seek intercourse with 

 strangers, but the reserve of ceremony once worn away their man- 

 ners are courteous, but chargeable with the refinements of dissimu- 

 lation and g'uile, they cannot be regarded as forming any index to 

 their disposition. They have no influence in civil affairs, and with 

 some trifling exceptions are not engaged in them, but their sanctity 

 not appearing offended by the profane duties of public life, this ab- 

 stinence cannot be ascribed to a voluntary forbearance. Prejudice 

 prevents them from engaging in any useful profession, some are em- 

 ployed in the performance of religious offices, but the greatest part 

 indulge in indolent repose, and if an easy voluptuous life with loo- 

 thing to ruffle its uniformity be happiness, they enjoy a large share 

 of it, it is not even interrupted by the cultivation of literature, 

 their erudition rarely exceeds a very imperfect knowledge of Sanscrit, 

 they however speak a pure language; of their recreations it is diffi- 

 cult to speak, the vain science of divination serves sometimes to 

 divert their lassitude. Though holding familiar intercourse with 

 other bramins, they will not intermarry with them, and scrupulous 

 as to their alliances decline extending them even to the Poties. 

 Polygamy is nearly unknown, the eldest son of a Nomboorie fami- 

 ly alone marries : a restriction imposed probably to prevent the dimi- 

 nution of dignity by the increase of numbers ; or that of wealth by 

 too minute divisions of property, should the eldest son have no issue 

 the second marries and so on till the object be attained. In conse- 

 quence of this custom, the females often enter into wedlock at a 

 very advanced age, or die in a state of celebacy, but so tenacious 

 are they of their observances that the corpse undergoes all the cere- 

 monies of marriage ; an Arria Putter performing the part of bride- 

 groom in those posthumous nuptials. Numerous daughters are con- 

 sidered as a misfortune, their dower and other necessary expendi- 

 ture consuming a large share of the family property. In the se- 

 lection of a wife, female mediation directs the choice as the veil of 

 concealment is not removed till after marriage, when it is too late 

 to profit by the discovery ; but cupidity would seem the only pas- 

 sion necessary to be gratified, as a stipulation on the score of dower 

 always forms the most important article of the treaty, it is unneces- 

 sary to repeat the detail of ceremonies that follow its ratification, 

 and equally so to describe those of their obsequies. Voluntary ere- 



