The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-23
LITERARY NOTICES.
fnaia and the Ifindoos (.

Ind1a ana tne alndoOb
Being popular vein of the Geography, His.
tory, Government, Manners, Customs, Litera-
ture and Religion of that ancient people, with
an account ofthe Christian missions among them,
by i. ID. w. WAID, late missionary of Madras.
and member of the American Oriental Society"
This is one of the most entertaining instruc-
tive and agreeable popular works we have met
with for a long time. 1t is illustrated with
good Autographs of Hindoo domestic animals,
Hindoo ceremonies and domestic CUSTOMS
Among the plates we were surprised to see a
delineation of the Hindoo Tonjon, sort of
palanquin, with top and seats precisely like
our buggy and barouches The price there, is
from thirty to seventy-fve dollars, and they are
carried by six persons.
We were surprised to learn that the toes of
the Hindoos are so important. The author
says: ....... ....
"The feet are protected from sharp stones, by
means of the sandal, or leather sole, with strap
above the instep, and another across the large
toe, or are encased in shoes made with velvet
uppers," covered with gold and silver thread,
open at the heel, and turned up at the toe in
true oriental STYLE Stockings are seldom worn,
never, indeed, over two thirds of the Peninsula
Besides the expense, which could lily be incurred,
and the great heat, this article of dress would
stand much in the way ola free and unrestrained
use of those serviceable parts of the human body
the ICES. We, in this Western world, place a
high estimate upon these extremities ofthe frame
indispensable as they are deemed in walking
But to appreciate their exceeding utility, it is
needful to go to the East. They are called by
II;nJo,o tl,, q foot - In addition IN
the use made in keeping the shoe on the foot,
the tailor if he does not thread his needle, twists
his thread by them, the cook is aided by them in
cutting his meat; the joiner in holding the board
while he planes it.; the driver wrenches the tail
of the OK to make it move more quickly; the
pedestrian picks up whatever may have fallen,
by the same means. TO confine the toes within
the narrow limits of stockings or socks, were to
deprive the Hindoo Of medium of effort he can
lily dispense with" ...-
The system of slavery in which the Hindoos
are held by the British, is as follows:
"The Revenue department includes those Of
fcers who are devoted to the general supervi-
sion of the people, with special reference to the
collection of the rents One of these resides in
each district, under she title of Collector, with
an Assistant. His power is great, respecting all,
European or Native, within his limits; nothing
of public nature being allowed to occur with
out his knowledge and permission. His respon-
siblities are weghty, his duties arduous, and his
better feelings often being put to severe test
The British government is virtually rack rent
ing landlord the Rgot,oarre system, as it is
called which prevails throughout most of the
country being compared to I" cider screw, while
each district is like the squeezed apple, the col
lectors applying the extent of their power and
then transferring the handle to their success
sors" The assessment is variable, being annu-
ally made, according to an actual survey of every
acre Of the ground and its measure of product
iveness. The whole extent of the Province is
divided into three classes the dry field the i'ri-
gated field, and the irrigated garden land: these
being again distinguished by subordinate clas-
sificaton Of twenty varieties in each division.
When the peasants crop fails or is defective, re-
missions of tax are made; when it is unusually
abundant there is an increased assessment
When the crop of one inhabitant of village
fails, his neighbors are required to make good
the deficiency; and when the crops of whole
village fail or are defective, the neighborng ones
are required to make up the difference to the
State. The estimated proportion of the gross
produce of the soil, taken as tax by the govern
ment, under this system is forty:fue parts in a
hundred. But this is not all for in every vii
lage there are several officers to each Of whom
a proportion must be allotted. There is the
Brahmin, or public priest, the Astrologer, who
let's the people know when the stars and seasons
are in proper humor for favoring the labors and
enterprises of the village the Potail, or Mayor,
the Clerk, or register Of events and transactions,
the Guardsman, the Schoolmaster, the Barber,
Doctor, Musician, dc, each claiming his share,
which the owner withholds at the peril of serious
loss in the future. The respect in which the
oppression is greatest, is that the government is
so unwilling or unable to lose the revenue, and
the consequent effort made by the Zemindar or
lessee to obtain the required amount from the
people under his charge, be their harvest what
it may. Here is demanded on the part of the
revenue officer, constant and most watchfu vigil
lance the effort being ever made by the Ze-
mndar and Rygots to convince him that pay
ment of the full amount is quite impossible, and
thus induce him to petition government for re-
duction of assessment. If he be person of
natural kindness of heart, the appeal is hard to
resist, while over against this Sylla stands the
Charybdis of governmental disprasurr. The
fact is notorious to those much vrrScd in In,lian
affairs, that the reputation and prospects # a
collector depend, to large ext, t, upon hi, re-
alizing full revenue and that rrrommrnda-
ton for reduction in the amount OF assessment
is considered in the light of a register OF his own
ineficiency.
" But let their income fail them to pound,
Ware, ware, my friend, for this is tender ground
Lo! what a hubbub rises o FER his head;
" hat sundry sharp and cutting things are said
or mere incompetence and sheer neglect,
And what, if it recurs, he must expect"
These circumstances render the position of a
Collector of Revenue onerous, responsible and
trying. A contest is ever going on between the
wishes of those between whom he stands as UNI
pire and his own better feelings-his regard to
mercy, truth, and faithfulness, and his self in
terest. But the Office is one of great honor, and
much emolument, (the salary averaging $4,000
per annum) and is, therefore, notwithstanding
its toll and anxiety, eagerly sought and highly
priced
The institution of marriage isthus Illustrated:
"As it is intended to give, in the following
chapter, full description of a Hindoo wedding,
the statements now to be made will concern
n