136 
HINDOOS. 
teVrtiined Ifengtbi- The Khatries wear also a string ot this 
composed of fewer threads, but the Sooderas are not allowed to we^ig 
ahy string. The other dress of the brahmins consist of a. piece dr 
white cotton cloth wrapped about the loins, descending below tfie^ 
knee, but lower on the left than on the right side. In cold >\eathgi;. 
they sometimes put a red cap on their heads, and wrap a shawl x’Qun^ 
their bodies. The Khatries, and most other inhabitants of this coud-^ 
try, wear also pieces of cotton cloth wrapped round them, but ^yhjidp^ 
cover the upper as well the lower part of the body. Ear-rings an^ 
bracelets are worn by the men as w ell as the women ; and they are fond, 
of ornamenting themselves with diamonds, rubies, and other precious 
stones, when they can procure them. They wear slippers on their 
feet of fine W'oollen cloth or velvet, frequently embroidered with gold 
and silver ; those of princes being sometimes adorned with precipus 
stones. The lower classes wear sandals or slippers of coarse w oollen' 
cloth or leather: these slippers are always put off on going into 
any apartment, being left at the door, or given to an attendant; 
nevertheless, the Hindoos make no complaints of the Europeans, for 
not pulling off their shoes when they come into their houses, which 
must certainly appear very uncouth to them. 
Hindoo families are always governed by the eldest male, to whoni 
great respect is shewn. Filial veneration is carried to such a height 
among them, that a son will not sit down in the presence of his 
father until ordered ; and Mr. Forster observes, that during the 
whole time of his residence in India, he never saw' a direct instanc.e 
of undutifulness to parents; and the same is related by other 
writers. v 
Among the Hindoos, marriage is considered as a religious duty : 
and parents are strictly commanded to marry their children by the 
time they arrive at eleven years of age at farthest. Polygamy is 
allowed ; but this license is seldom made use of, unless there should 
be no children by the first wife. In case the second wife also proves, 
barren, they commonly adopt a son from among their relations. The 
Hindoos receive no dower with their wives, but, on the contrary, the 
intended husband makes a present to the father of his bride. Never- 
theless, in many cases a rich man will choose a poor relation for his 
daughter; in which case the bride’s father is at the expense of the 
wedding, receives his son-in-law into his house, or gives him h part 
of his fortune. The bridegroom then quits the dwelling of his 
parents, with certain ceremonies, and lives with his father-in-law. 
Many formalities take place between the parties, even after the match 
is agreed upon, and the celebration of the marriage is attended with 
much expense: magnificent processions are made, the bride and 
bridegroom sitting in the same palanquin, attended by their friehds 
and relations; some riding in palanquins, some on horses; arid 
others on elephants. So great is their vanity on these occasions, 
that they will borrow or hire numbers of these expensive animals, to 
do honour to the ceremony. The rejoicings last several days ; during 
the evenings of vvhich, fire-works and illuminations are displa^y^d, 
and dancing women perform their feats ; the whole concludes with 
alms to the poor, and presents to the brahmins and prindf^al 
