*

pre-eminence, those denominations were originally allied to some authority, and still command respect, but serve now to distinguish rank, rather than influence or property, with regard to which they are pretty much on a level, they are hereditary, were often bestowed on merit, but more frequently obtained by purchase, they conferred some privileges amongst them, that of having a parasol borne over the head, wearing a golden bracelet, being preceded by a particular kind of lamp, or having the writing instruments worn at the waist, made of gold, those were also ensigns of office, but a wider latitude being now allowed to their assumption, they have of course lost much of their value. Proprietors of land are always known by the title belonging to their estate, or rather its designation is invariably used as a prenomen.

The state of society on part of this coast is in some measure peculiar to it, at least the economy of a Nair family differs from that of almost any other race of Hindoos. The uncle, or as he is styled Taruwuttee Kurnaven, is the head of it, his eldest sister the mistress. A family of brothers and sisters generally live together, and in most instances with a degree of harmony that might serve for imitation. The sons of the latter are invariably the heirs, and nepotism substitutes the place of parental attachment. The bastardy of the children, and ascendency of the women, that in Malabar so offended the prejudices, and shocked the morality of the Sultan, would have here given equal room for his reprehension. They are less passive, have more influence in society than most other parts of India, and are infinitely less restrained in their intercourse with it, they have a quick understanding, are said to display great aptitude in acquirement, but a capability of reading the Ramayen, is in most instances the summit of their attainments, they are often rich, frequently possess landed property, the details of which they manage with great ability. The commerce of the sex, is regulated by a singular system whose cause is effaced in the antiquity that has sanctioned the practice. Its real nature and remote consequences is too intricate a labyrinth to be readily developed, but the subject is sufficiently curious to deserve mention, and such must be received as the reason of its introduction. The young Nair girl, at a very early age, undergoes the form of having the Tally tied, this with the wealthy is an expensive ceremony, (a crowd of guests being feasted for some days with rural

* The use of this article is common and necessary, but the honor consists in its being carried. Every Nair, of respectability is seen followed by a boy who performs this office and also bears his brass vessel and beetle appa

ratus.

profusion) but indispensable with all, he who personates the bridegroom receives a certain recompense, any of equal or superior rank are eligible, but a number and variety of minute combinationst of which the detail may be postponed are required in the selection. The astrologer decides those points, and fixes the auspicious moment for performance; receiving the Tally though a requisite, is a mere form, and conveys no claim to a more intimate connection, altho' on the death of either, the survivor practises those ceremonies that would be observed, were the union of a more material nature. Such is the premature ripeness of the climate, that at the age of eleven or twelve years a girl has reached maturity, the moment of its attainment is announced to the neighbourhood by a loud chorus of the women, who have collected to celebrate the occasion, a rude minstrelsy, repeated at intervals for several successive days, suitors early present themselves, and the acceptation of a lover is signified by receiving from him a Moondoo, some brass utensils and other furniture, also annually clothes, oil, &c. &c. amounting in ordinary cases to about forty or fifty Rupees, four times that sum would be a handsome establishment, which scarcely five in a hundred could afford, and among the lower classes half of it may be considered near the medium. This union is termed Vissivassum, a great misnomer, as it in no measure binds either party, and perhaps we should overrate their morality in supposing that one such union in ten continued for life, and where the connection is of such stability, it is a matter of understanding more than enactment. The mistress of a Nair, generally resides in her brother's house, having no authority in that of her paramour, by whom she is visited at intervals, but he in the mean time, must not be too scrupulous in guarding her against the encroachments of interloping competitors. Hearts equally capacious as susceptible, are not always engrossed by one lover, if too fastidious in admitting an associate, he is discarded, as the female enjoys in some measure the power of repudiating, a tempting prerogative, that the levity with which they bestow or transfer their favors, would prove was too often exercised, but prompted by grosser seductions, and indefatigable in their loves, they are represented as inviting or enduring from mercinary motives, an endless succession of paramours, but the imputation appears too exclusive in its obloquy, as they would seem to be the sport of the same caprice, with which they are re

+ The parties must have been born under the same Planet. The astrologer with the high orders of the village Register with careful accuracy the moment of birth.

proached. Held by so loose a tenure, it might be supposed their frailties would not create much domestic confusion, but jealousy is by no means unknown, that amiable passion producing even here tragical events, although it must be allowed they do not often permit it to trouble their harmony. Chastity not necessary to reputation is but lightly valued; its infraction is regarded more as a failing than a fault, and only as a crime, when the intercourse has been beyond the pale of their own particular cast, both sexes, must confine their amours within this limit, the severest penalties being announced against its infringements; except as has been seen in instances of the higher classes, who on this occasion readily sacrifice their scruples; cast sanctifies every immorality. The bramins of all descriptions are courted with a caressing homage, the most obdurate virtue could scarcely resist, nor do previous engagements oppose any barriers to their success, as the Nair compelled to resign his mistress to more holy embraces, retires on their approach, not venturing however, strong his claim, or forcible his attachment, to interpose between their enjoyments.

This system though more particularly belonging to the manners of the Nairs, serves as a precedent in some measure to most of the other classes, at least marriage in the ordinary acceptation of the term, is nearly unknown amongst them; their union is regulated by the inclination of the parties, and a mistaken choice soon rectified, leaves Hymen here no scope for the exercise of his malice. Amongst some of the classes of Shewans it is not uncommon for the female, to confine her favors to the brothers of a family; this practice which is regarded as strengthening the ties of fraternity, is also common amongst the cast of Artisans, in the southern parts it is however decryed, by the superior orders, whose practice it may have been observed, is of a still more reprehensible complexion, indeed they, but particularly the bramins, are represented as displaying an ingenuity of licentiousness difficult to relate, or amplify, the lower classes, cooled by poverty into comparative continence, are in some measure shielded from the contagion of their profligate example, but the intercourse amongst all ranks, is too promiscuous, and the feeling that leads to it (here more an appetite than a passion) less restrained than in the neighbouring countries is productive of great irregularities, but it is at least a decorous vice, that never obtrudes itself on the observation, and is by no means accompanied by any corresponding corruption of manners, however repugnant to our ideas of propriety there are not wanting circumstances of extenuation,

to one.

nor should we be too readily disposed severely to arraign their immoralities, at least our reprobation will be mitigated by knowing that they are rather ascribable to the institutions, than any particular vice of the people. The Nair women cannot be said to be prolific, although it has been seen that the chance is not confined On the birth of a child, if a boy, the same musical celebration that has been noticed is repeated, the enumeration of the various subsequent ceremonies, and those observed on particular occasions during its early years may be postponed. The uncle charges himself with their performance, he alone is regarded as protector of his sister's progeny. The father rarely contributes to their support, shares but little of their regard, and if known is soon forgotten, the mother however enjoys a more than ordinary share of veneration and influence. The Nair should burn their dead, but when poor they are necessitated to bury them, the corpse or ashes are always entombed within the garden, south of, but contiguous to the house; they do not exhibit that scenick sorrow displayed by their eastern neighbours, but if their grief is less unruly, its sobriety must not be ascribed to any coldness of domestic affection; it were tedious as unnecessary further to pursue the detail of their other customs and ceremonies, which only differ in some minute particulars from those common to the other portions of the population.

Various Classes of Shooders of the race common to the other Coast-It will be seen that the Paundee Shooders, (for such is their general designation) constitute a large portion of the population, indeed they may be considered as forming an original portion of the permanent inhabitants of Shenkotta, and the more southern districts, but those found in the more southern parts of the country, contribute greatly to swell their amount, in the latter instance they are chiefly emigrants, (or their descendants) from the eastern coast.-Numbers possess lands and permanently remain, as indeed do all that can obtain a livelihood, a large portion are seen as traders, artificers, peons, or servants &c. &c. The character of this class is too familiarly known to require here any illustration. Those composing it retain here all their ancient habits, and continue to form a distinct body.

Mussulmen-As do the few Pautan Mussulmen found in the country; they chiefly reside in the southern districts, and are for the most part the descendants of a body of Pautan sepoys, that swelled the military rabble retained by the latter princes of Travancore;

rather disposed to arms, than arts, a more peaceful rule has reduced them to a considerable degree of indigence.

Lubbbees-The Jona, Mapulay or Lubbees, inferior classes of Mahomedans, constitute a more important and valuable part of the population, the former nearly double in point of number, are found generally in the vicinity of the coast, the latter of whom numbers are emigrant from Paundy are more in the interior. Many of the last class lead a sort of migratory life, sharing their residence between this and the other coast, with which their mercantile habits lead them to keep up a constant intercourse. The Jona Mapulay, (or as they are known in the southern parts Maiters) though of foreign lineage being descended from the first Arabs, whom commerce attracted to Malliallum, must be considered as more particularly belonging to it. Maslims in creed, they are almost Hindoos in person, and in point of character unite many, nearly all the vices of both. To the violence that too often characterizes the professors of their faith, they add a patient inveteracy and dissimulation, ready to conceal, prompt to execute its purpose. They are much disposed to traffic, but not averse to agriculture, are intelligent, indefatigable, unscrupulous, possess some wealth, have considerable landed property, and are gradually rising on the supineness of the other classes. Stubborn and turbulent, they require to be held with a strong hand, but though troublesome, their superior perseverance in industry renders them productive subjects.

Concanies-Which may also be said of the Concanies, who have all their habits of unwearied diligence without any of their vices. This class came originally from Goa, having filed on the conquest of that place, first to Callicut, thence here, where they found a toleration denied them by the bigotry of the Portuguese, and escaped the rapacity of the Zamorine. They possess some lands, but are devoted to commerce in all its shapes, and deserve the merit of at least a very tolerable share of integrity and fair dealing. A series of centuries has in no measure altered their character, or diminished the force of the institution. They are divided into three classes, the two first are separated only by some trifling distinctions, the latter the Jeedeenmars are the servants or slaves of both.

Christians-The origin of those ancient believers, who appear to have existed from the earliest ages of the church, is a subject, that might deserve enquiry; and the singularity of so large a population of christians unadulterated by proselytism, is sufficient to attract and fix the attention, but so much is already known, or rather so