142 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
by the Cingalese, though, further than is usual with 
creatures of the same race, they bear no resem- 
blance to that animal, of which they may be mutu- 
ally said to constitute the antipodes, the one being the 
largest and the other the smallest of the deer tribe. 
Besides these creatures, the Rajah prided himself 
upon his collection of more savage animals, having 
sundry lions and tigers in cages, some of which were 
under such control, that I have heard he was in the 
habit of introducing them into his palace before his 
guests, without even submitting them to the restraint 
of a keeper. He had a great passion for animal-fights, 
which he often indulged; and we were told that 
in a few days he intended to entertain us with a 
sight of what some of his subjects could do against 
those ferocious animals. This was confirmed on the 
following morning by the arrival of a messenger from 
his Highness, who informed us that his master purposed 
having an exhibition of animal-fights and native 
gymnastics on a specified day, to which he hoped we 
would favour him with our company. These fights 
are common in the Mysore during the Dusserah 
feast, and are celebrated throughout this part of In- 
dia. The Oriental athletse, who use the cestus, are, 
I imagine, peculiar to that district, and Hindoos of 
low caste, yet as perfectly distinct and unmixed in 
their generation as the highest among the social divi- 
sions of the people. They are a strong and hardy 
race of men, and their whole lives are devoted to 
the acquisition of dexterity in their favourite pur- 
suit. They are called Jetties, and perform feats of 
strength as remarkable for their variety as for exhibit- 
