409 
ON EVIDENCE, OR T,HAT PHRIYAN. 
From the proceeding table it will be seen that the Siamese digests 
distinguish with great minuteness and no mean degree of sense and 
justice, the classes of persons to whose testimony credit can most 
safely be given, and those against which valid exceptions will be held 
good in law. 
Those who are most competent are, priests, who are versed in 
Bali learning, this qualification being a consequence of the ease with 
which laymen can gain admission to the priesthood. Chrammana- 
chan, or persons of the Brahminical tribe who are skilled in the 
sciences (by which are here meant astrology and arithmetic); spirit¬ 
ual guides; men of birth and rank, of reputed good character; lay¬ 
men who have been priests; and in general any subject (against 
whom the law does not take exception) of good character; and who 
is punctual in his performance of religious duties. 
The following is another list of incompetent witnesses ; it does not 
i 
differ much from that already given. 
1. Contemners of religion. 
2. Debtors; under the supposition that their poverty lays them 
open to bribery. 
3. Slaves, and near relatives of parties interested in a suit. 
4. Intimate friends of parties. 
5. Inmates in the house of a party concerned, 
6. Idiots, and persons mentally imbecile, whether naturally so or 
from the effects of disease. 
7. Those who do not ahhor and refrain from the commission of 
the following cardinal sins, viz. Murder; theft; adultery; lying; 
drunkenness; breaking of prescribed fasts; and lastly, the sin of re¬ 
clining or reposing on the mat or couch of a priest, a parent, or a 
spiritual guide; or generally of treating these in a manner in any 
way disrespectful. 
Gamesters. 
9. Vagabonds, vagrants, persons having no fixed domicile. 
E 
