4G 



On the Language, fyc. of the Khoonds. 



[July 



The other form, of a special character, is as follows : 



Oath taken by the chiefs of the Mootahs of Rottungen, and Chinun- 

 gea, on the occasion of the settlement of a boundary dispute, which had 

 been for many years the cause of war between the two districts. 



" The dispute which has existed between us so long is now decided — 

 we will forget it and remain in peace, and hold our lands according to 

 the limits laid down. Whichever party acts otherwise, and causes dis- 

 putes again to arise, let him be reduced to dust, and his race and name 

 become unknown." 



The parties administered the oath to each other, holding over the 

 head of the swearing party a basket of the soil, whilst he repeated the 

 words of the oath. 



Such are the materials which I have endeavoured so to digest as 

 to place them in a somewhat clear and intelligible order. I do not 

 know that any remarks of mine, whether laboured, or otherwise, 

 could add to the deep but melancholy interest, which these docu- 

 ments are calculated to excite. It is quite clear that these people 

 are not Hindus ; though a few ideas may have been borrowed from 

 the latter. The Khoonds are clearly in a state next to entire barba- 

 rism. I am told that people from the north speak of the khoU 

 mountaineers as wild, deformed, and of vindictive character ; so 

 much so, that it is not safe to speak to one of them, as a real or ima- 

 ginary affront is never forgiven, but if possible is avenged with blood. 

 They are also said to be potent in the use of charms, and incantations j 

 but these may be idle tales. One cannot, however, but remark their 

 dissolute and drunken habits, as in most semi-barbarous people ; a de- 

 scription of vice usually leading to vindictiveness, ferocity, and blood- 

 shedding. And when ferocity and murder become parts of a people's 

 religion, every thing else may be expected that is degrading to human 

 nature. Philanthropists have a new field opened for their exertions; 

 and I would, with pleasure, anticipate the time when they may become 

 a Christianized, civilized, humane, and respectable, people'. 



I have to solicit indulgence for any possible faults, that may have in- 

 advertently entered into these observations, which have been prepared 

 amidst many other, and very dissimilar, occupations. . 



[The foregoing article, based principally on information com- 

 municated by the late lamented Commissioner in Goomsoor, will, 

 independent of its intrinsic value, be read with lively, yet melancho^ 

 interest, as a posthumous relic of one, who, to the infinite regret of his 

 many friends, and great loss of the Government, whose upright and 

 talented functionary he was, has been cut off in the prime of life, and 

 in the midst of a career which must have proved eminently useful to 

 the country, as well as highly honourable to himself.— Editor.] 



