BETWEEN INDIAN AND JEWISH IDEAS AND CUSTOMS. 95 
specially warned against gifts or bribes, “ For a gift doth blind 
the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.” 
The proverb also says, “ A wicked man taketh a gift out of the 
bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.” It is hardly necessary 
to notice the universal prevalence of this vice in the East, but, 
perhaps, it may be worth mentioning that many years ago I 
was told that a certain judge in a Native State showed bad 
form in this respect, because he kept the gifts of both parties 
in suits in his courts, whereas the etiquette was to return that 
of the defeated party. There were said to be only three persons 
in that state who never took gifts. The custom was universal 
as we know, even amongst Europeans in India, as it was in their 
own countries. Of the Portuguese Viceroy, Dom Vasco da 
Gama, Conde de Vidigueira (1524), however it was said 
that “ many persons went to him with offerings, such as it is 
customary to make to governors when they arrived ; he would 
not take anything from Christian or Moor, and still less from 
this city (Goa), which we all look upon as extraordinary, as it 
is the custom for all to be accepted.” 
It was formerly customary, as it was amongst the Jews, in 
British India, and it is so still in the Native States, for officials 
and servants, and for inferiors, to present gifts to those who 
were above them, or to those whom they wished to propitiate. 
The superior, as a rule, returned far more than he received, 
either in the form of a Khilat, or dress of honour and 
ornaments, or in pecuniary gifts on marriages or on other 
similar occasions, but the British Government, finding that 
much money was wasted on what were really ceremonies, 
though they might be mistaken or even abused by some, and 
because such gifts were burdensome, put a stop to the custom. 
It is still permissible, however, to offer gifts of fruit and flowers, 
but even this old world practice is gradually falling into disuse. 
There is, however, one rather interesting survival. The native 
officer in our army at a levee, or on a similar occasion, still 
presents his sword to his superior, thereby indicating that his 
services and his devotion are at the disposal of his king and 
his representatives. The weapon is touched in token of 
approval and acceptance of the offer. The Indian chief 
accepts gold and silver coins at Durbars, and keeps them, 
because they are an acknowledged portion of his revenue. 
The Oxford Hetys to the Study of the Bible, under the head 
“ Adoption,” observe that St Paul, in his use of the word 
(Rom. viii, 15 ; Gal. iv, 5), probably refers to the Roman 
custom, whereby an adopted child stood to his foster-parents 
