THE RAJAH OF SERXNAGUR. 
27 
are swarthy, though in a slight degree, and they have 
very little heard ; yet when they possess more than 
the usual superfluity it is a good deal prized by them. 
They are, upon the whole, a mild, inoffensive race, and 
though not deficient in courage to make resistance 
when attacked, they have displayed very little in- 
genuity in devising the most effectual means of de- 
fence, considering the advantages which their moun- 
tains afford them. 
On the second day after our arrival the Rajah paid 
us a visit in form, accompanied by the principal officers 
of his court. There was, however, very little cere- 
mony observed upon what might be considered a state 
occasion, — for he came in full court costume. At our 
first visit we had presented him with a pair of pistols 
and a watch; the latter he now brought with him, 
requesting us to explain how it performed its move- 
ments and how the different divisions of the day 
were indicated on the dial, as he had never before 
seen such a machine, although he had heard its powers 
extolled by those who had descended into the plains 
and there held intercourse with Europeans. He was 
highly gratified when made thoroughly to compre- 
hend the complicated structure of the watch, and this 
he readily did, for he was by no means slow of com- 
prehension. Indeed, a quickness of perception is a 
general characteristic of the Hindoo of every denomi- 
nation. I do not think that the mental qualities of 
this highly gifted people have been hitherto suffi- 
ciently appreciated. Their superstitions have too fre- 
quently been the mask through which their intellec- 
tual features have been scrutinized, and this medium 
