from his caste, and could not be restored without many troublesome ceremonies and great expense.  The pariahs are considered to be so low, that if a Brahmin were to touch them, even with the end of a long pole, he would be looked upon as polluted In some districts they are obliged to make a long circuit, when they perceive Brahmins in the way, that their breath may not infect them, or their shadow fall upon them as they pass.  In some places their very approach is sufficient to pollute a whole neighborhood.

The Brahmins carry their ideas of purity very far.  Should a Sudra happen to look upon the vessels in which they cook their food, they would be considered as defiled.  They can never touch any kind of leather or skin, except the skin of the tiger and antelope.  The most disagreeable of all American fashions, in their eyes, is that of boots and gloves.  They rarely eat their food from plates; and when they do so, it is only at home.  They use the leaf of the plantain or other trees as a substitute.  To offer them any thing to eat on a metal or earthen plate which others have used, would be considered a great affront.  For the same reason, they will neither use a spoon nor a fork when they eat; and they are astonished that any one, after having applied them to their mouths, and infected them with saliva, should repeat the act a second time.  They have a great abhorrence of the toothpick, if used a second time.  When they eat any thing dry, they throw it into their mouths, so that the fingers may not approach the lips.

They do not drink as we do, by applying the cup to the lips.  This would be considered a gross impropriety.  They pour the water into their months.  The reason why they do these things is, because they consider the saliva to be the most filthy secretion that comes from the body.  It is on this account that no one is ever permitted to spit within doors.

The use of animal food they consider to be defiling.  Not only will they not eat animal food, but they will eat nothing that has the principle of life in it.  On this account, they cannot eat eggs of any kind.  I was once breaking an egg in my medicine-room at Panditeripo, while a Brahmin was present.  He told me that, under such circumstances, he could not remain with me any longer.  In his view, I was committing a great sin.  To kill an ox or a cow, is considered by them as a crime which can never be atoned for, and to eat their flesh is a defilement which can never be washed away.  To kill a cow is, by Hindoo law, punishable with death.

The touch of most animals, particularly that of the dog, defiles a Brahmin.  Should a dog touch them, they would be obliged instantly to plunge into water, and wash their clothes, in order to get rid of such a stain.  Notwithstanding this, the dog is one of the gods worshipped by the Hindoos.