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spices to flavour the rice, which is their principal food; it is also 
enriched with ghee, or clarified butter. 
We cannot but admire the principle which dictates this huma- 
nity and self-denial: although, did they through a microscope ob- 
serve the animalcule which cover the mango, and compose the 
bloom of the fig; or perceive the animated myriads that swarm on 
every vegetable they eat, they must, on their present system, be at 
a loss for subsistence. Some of the Brahmins carry their austerities 
to such a length, as never to eat any thing but the grain which has 
passed through the cow; which being afterwards separated from 
its accompaniments, is considered by them as the purest of all 
food; in such veneration is this animal held by the Hindoos. 
From the religious order of Brahmins, I descend to the 
cast of Chandalahs, or Pariars. These people are considered so 
abject, are employed in the vilest offices, and held in such detes- 
tation, that no other tribe will touch them; and those Hindoos 
who commit enormous crimes are excommunicated into this caste, 
which is considered to be a punishment worse than death. 
But I will dwell no longer on particular castes; being desirous 
to draw a portrait of the Hindoos, where they bear a more general 
resemblance with each other: for although each caste, as I have 
already mentioned, differs something in dress, and has a few pe- 
culiar customs, and rales for ceremonial and moral conduct, yet 
they all agree in the fundamental tenets of their religion, and the 
principal duties of life. 
They are commonly of the middle stature, slight and well 
proportioned, with regular and expressive features, black eyes, 
and a serene countenance. Among the virtues of the Hindoos are, 
