1834.] Memoir of the Survey/ of Travancorec 80 



Partially at least free from the prevarications that characterizes the 

 Nairs, they have an infinitely franker deportment, and seem capable 

 of a more lasting attachment than them, if they have less capacity 

 their greater integrity might argue the possession of superior vir- 

 tues. Peaceable and valuable subjects, they return obedience for 

 toleration and protection, nor would it appear they ever evinced 

 symptoms of uneasiness at the control of the Nairs ; accustomed to 

 their pretensions, they vv^illingly submit to their ascendency : a passive- 

 ness that does not accord with the martial spirit they are said to 

 have possessed, but of which the character now exhibits as few re- 

 mains, as their condition does traces of the higher consideration they 

 are represented to have held at a remoter date. Whatever may 

 ha\ie been their former situation, they at present rank below the 

 Nairs, in estimation, but they are not subject to the humiliation 

 that so often attaches to the profession of Christianity in Asiatic 

 countries. The Syrians are much disposed to commerce, but they 

 are generally seen as cultivators, some possess considerable pro- 

 perty, they are laborious from necessity, and to their industry 

 many of the finest districts owe their fertility. There is little to in- 

 dicate the gradations of society amongst them. Turragan is a dis- 

 tinction conferred on a few of the principal men, but the rank car- 

 ries with it no authority, and but little influence. Their domestic 

 ceremony need only be incidentally noticed, unlike the Nairs, the 

 rights of filiation are fully acknowledged amongst them. The wo- 

 men are free from any sort of restraint, a singularity belonging al- 

 most peculiarly to this part of India. Marrying if possible at an 

 early age, they are not chargeable with the dissolute manners of the 

 Nairs, as regards the commerce of the sexes. Like the Nomboories 

 the bride must bring a dower, which as also with them always forms 

 an important preliminary in every connubial treaty, for passion has 

 but little influence in dictating the union, this custom however has 

 not the effect of frequently imposing eelebacy on the females, 

 whose relations consider it a duty to promote their marriage; the so- 

 lemnities common to this occasion are performed in the church, 

 always on Sunday, and particular periods of the year are considered 

 propitious. It is unnecessary to describe the ceremonies as they do 

 not materially differ from ihose observed by Europeans, except ouiy 

 that the Tally is the symbol of union. The different sects do n jt 

 often intermarry ; divorces are unknown, as the church interposes its 

 authority to reconcile family feuds — widows are permitted to re- 

 marry after the lapse of a year — children are baptized (all have scrip- 

 tural names) on the 13th day. They lay great stress on consecra- 



