oil 
in their punishment of those who ill-treat them, or cause their 
death: a subject of Travencore who is detected in selling a bullock 
to an European is impaled alive. Religious prejudice operates 
powerfully in the preservation of this animal; but it is politic 
in a country where milk forms a great part of the food, and oxen 
are very useful in commerce and agriculture. 
Irrigation being absolutely necessary in a climate where rain 
only falls during four months in the year, the preservation of water 
is a most important object; the brahmins, therefore, judiciously 
persuade their disciples to build reservoirs, and construct wells, as 
the most acceptable charity tiiey can confer: in the Travencore 
dominions are many expensive works of this kind; some made by 
the generosity of individuals, others at the public expense. The 
high roads are planted on each side with cajew-apple, tamarind, 
and mango-trees; which adorn the country, and shade the travel- 
ler: caravansaries, or choultries, are erected at convenient distances 
for his accommodation. Charity of this kind is every where incul- 
cated; and it is equally the ambition of a southern Malabar as of 
a northern Hindoo, to have a tank, a well, or a choultrie, called 
after his name. Under despotic princes, where property is never 
secure, and to be reputed rich is to be really unfortunate, such 
munificent acts are far from being uncommon: the fame of these 
benevolent works, and the tranquillity of domestic life, form the 
chief happiness of a people unaccustomed to public spectacles, or 
the refinements of polished society. 
The Nairs of Malabar are equally brave, and more energetic 
than most of the warlike Hindoos; the national characteristics of 
both people are otherwise very similar. A mild climate, and the 
o 
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