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despots so often mentioned, who unfeelingly exercise the rod of 
oppression over the lives and property of their fellow-creatures: 
although, by a strange inconsistency, these very people are taught 
to shudder at the death of an insect, and tremble at the idea 
of inhaling an animalcule. Superstition leads her votaries to 
the most extraordinary actions; during my residence among the 
Malabars, where the ignominious distinction of castes is carried to 
the utmost extent, I was fully convinced that it puts a stop to the 
noblest exertions of real charity, blunts the finest feelings of huma- 
nity, and estranges man from man. 
The Malabar brahmins, like the rest of that priesthood, have 
such faith in the purifying waters of the. Ganges, as to believe their 
sins are absolved by a pilgrimage thither, or even by their virtue 
when transported to a distant country. The Ganges, Kislna, and 
Indus, enjoy this preeminence among the numerous rivers of Hin- 
dustan; they fertilize the finest tracts in its extensive plains: the 
Nerbudda, and other northern streams, claim a share of venera- 
tion; but I did not hear of any peculiar sanctity annexed to the 
rivers of Malabar: all waters excite a sentiment of affection and 
gratitude in a people whose climate and religion require such 
frequent ablutions, and where shade is so desirable, that the banian 
tree, and man} 7 others, are deemed sacred. In their fertile imagi- 
nation all nature is animated by an endless number and infinite 
variety of inferior deities and benevolent spirits; who occupy every 
grove, preside over every fountain, and fill the heavens and the 
earth with forms invisible to mortal eyes. 
The Malabars regard the cow with as much superstitious vene- 
ration as the northern Hindoos; and, if possible, are more severe 
