piety, obedience to superiors, resignation in misfortune, charity 
and hospitality: filial, parental, and conjugal affection, are among 
their distinguishing characteristics. They are extremely sober, 
drinking only water, milk, or sherbet; and none but those of the 
lowest order are ever seen in a stale of intoxication. They eat in 
the morning and evening; their cooking utensils are simple; their 
plates and dishes are generally formed from the leaf of the plan- 
tain-tree, or the nymphea lotos, that beautiful lily which abounds 
in every lake; these are never used a second time: the furniture 
of their houses is equally simple; seldom extending beyond what 
is absolutely necessary for a people whose wants are very few, 
when compared with those of the inhabitants in northern cli- 
mates. 
The men, in most of the Hindoo tribes, shave the head and 
beard, but leave the mustachios on the upper lip, and a small lock 
of hair on the head. The better sort wear turbans of fine muslin, 
of different colours; and a jama, or long gown of white calico, 
which is tied round the middle with a h inged or embroidered sash. 
Their shoes are of red leather, or English broad-cloth, sometimes 
ornamented, and always turned up with a long point at the toe. 
Their ears are bored, and adorned with large gold rings, passing 
through two pearls, or rubies; and on the arms they wear brace- 
lets of gold or silver. The princes and nobles are adorned with 
pearl necklaces and golden chains, sustaining clusters of costly 
e 
gems; their turbans are enriched with diamonds, rubies, and 
emeralds; and their bracelets composed of gold and precious 
stones. 
The inferior castes are of a darker complexion than the superior 
