The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-11-14

formerly arrived here, scarcely a tenth part was
Of the right class Of persons.
We learn from the Indian papers before us
that, during the year 1861, 4,533 emigrants
sailed from Bengal. The total number Of emf
grants % the Niauritius 6O9l against Il 600
in 1850 20 1850 /; the mortality during the pas
-agc averaged a. Per cent; S.442 proceeded 10
the West Indias. an increase Of 45S souls the
previous year the mortality during the voyage
estimated at 7.3 per cent. 6lO emigTants
proceeded % Natal and 2,7GO were shipped To
Reunion. Only $50 emgrants left Bombay dur
ing the year for the Aiauritiu-, 9S4 To- Natal, and
30 TO It. Vincent. The average mortality on
the passage u the Mauritius was only OF Per
cent. Thus numbers Of Hindu laborers an
nually sent away % the different fields Of labor.
At the present time there not less than
% 900 coolies AIadra--ecs and Calcuttians, scat
tered over this wide colony.
With respect To their personal appearance and
dress, much indeed might bc said, IT space aDd
time would permit. They differ in the various
shades Of complexion, from light brown To
deep et. They have eyes dull and soft long,
black and wiry hair, not at all inclined To curl.
In general, they have face oval, with forehead
neither high nor commanding. The garments
worn by the men here consist OF n loose piece Of
white cotton cloth wound close about the waist,
and falling below the knees, and another piece Is
thrown across the shoulder, like a Roman tOsa,
and calico handkerchief over their head, winch
serves a turban- The females wear long
piece Of cotton or muslin, wrapped round the
middle, and falling IN ample and elegant folds
below the knees. To this garment u added n
rGrsTkkeI, jacket, with half-sccve which closely
fits the form, and covers though not conceals the
bust. Those who can afford, wear upon each
wrist bracelets Of silver, called bangles Pendants
of gold are suspended from the to the shoulder,
and hooks through the nose reach to the chin
Bands OF silver encircle the arms and ancles- On
two or more Of the toes j. silver ring called
DIiTiJi, one of which emits q tinkling sound when
Hf. "a ha nod faUun lf.z
wear about the neck the tail, which il either
band Of gold richly chased, or a silk network en-
twined with silver cord.
Much, indeed, may be said about their distinct
natiOnalIties, their languages, and their courteous
customs, &c, but space will not permit. Many
of them have returned to their country, having
made their fortune, and thousands now living
amongst us. They arc an enteTprising and
thrifty Many of them are fast making
money. They sport their gold rings, and gold
the term OF apprenticeship OF indenture termin-
ates, become permanent residents in the colony,
shop keepers, renters of land, domestic servants
and the like.
The Hindu religious. professors cannot do
such things IN this country they would in their
own They have no Brahminical priests here /; |
but there who act on certain occasions,
in the capacity of priests whom they call pfjsri I
and GfrOO. They are more generally known un- /
der the appellation Of 80 COolie Parsons.' Some |
monthly, quarterly, half yearly, and yearly visits
10 the different estates and when they pay such |
visits, and perform such sort of religious ceremo
nies in the presence Of the people, they have large
sums Of money given them
In the year 1851, the Wesleyan Missionary /
Society sent out the Rev. Mr.. Williams, full of /
loving kindness and charity, and great Tamil /
scholar, and he zealOusly prosecuted his labors /
till yellow fever cut short his career. Recently /
mission in connection with the above mentioned 4
society, for the second time, has commenced .
among the coolies IN DcmeraTa. We have also a .
who il converted Hindu hbOring
among the Calcutta coolies while one Is labOring /
among the thousands of Madras coolies.
There II ut this present moment threeiUld \
agency employed for bringing scripture truth .
before the Hindus coolies of this country. The /
first is preaching and distribution Of the sacred
scriptures aud religious tracts and books; the .
second, visiting the sick and infirm, administering
medicines To, and entering into spiritual and use
ful conversation with them; and the third and .
last - educ.ItiOn. -