This, however, is not surprising when it is recollected that those who were themselves most impure were ordinarily the first to vilify and persecute the offending one.  From tests, the accuracy of which left no doubt, I learned that this acrimonious bitterness against their suffering sisters was nearly always instigated by a desire to conceal their own defects, to raise themselves, as they thought, by depreciating others, and to lay hypocritical claim to a superior austerity and goodness which was not theirs.  The really pure—­and for the honour of the past age of Montalluyah, I must say there were some few who were truly good—­were those only from whom the sinner received sympathy and encouragement to return to the path which had been for a time forsaken.

Even she who receives a qualified or indifferent age-decoration can, if she pleases, bring her case before the kings, and strict justice is invariably done to all.  None rebel in word or spirit, but all invariably use their efforts to recover lost ground before the time arrives for receiving the next decoration.  In these laudable efforts they are assisted; all means being used to cure the patient.  When, from tests ofttimes repeated, we are satisfied that the penitent’s reform is complete, she is received with open arms by the highest of her rank, as though she had been ever spotless; and at any time to remind her of the past, or even to make to another the slightest allusion to what had occurred, would be looked upon as a heinous offence, and punished accordingly.  Thus, a qualified order acts at the same time as a censure and a protection.

ADVOCATES.

I ought to mention that there are advocates selected by the State from amongst the most eloquent and able men, charged specially to bring before the proper tribunals every case where any persons, men or women, think themselves wronged.  There are also able men, advocates to represent the interests of society.  The former, or people’s advocate, if he thinks right, advises his client by the gentlest means to desist from her cause; but if his efforts prove ineffectual, which seldom happens if he is right, he is bound to proceed with the case, and if necessary to bring the question before the kings.  Did there prove to be any real doubt or serious difficulty, the case would be referred even to me.  The advocates of society, like the people’s advocates, are disciplined in the practice of truth and justice, and if they think that there is anything in the case in favour of the appellant they are honourably bound to state it to the tribunal.  This is done in the interest both of justice and of society itself, which might otherwise be injured in the person of one of its members.

Both classes of advocates occupy very high positions, and would not condescend to take fees of their clients.  They are wholly remunerated by the State.  They have no interest in the issue, and are equally honoured whatever the result may be, for society always gains by a just decision.