Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/314

262 AN EARLY DUTCH ACCOUNT OF INDIA about this matter than they that be poor, and the rich are ofttimes busied herewith when their children are but eight years old, yea, some so soon as they have received the cord, that is, in their fifth year. And it is also carefully observed of the Bramines that they ever look for a daughter who is younger than their son. The reason is, so the Bramin testified, because that the Bramines may not marry women who have already had their flowers; wherefore the Bramines are right careful to marry their daughters off full soon, since if a daughter of a Bramin be not married before her time, no one may take her to wife. Whensoever daughters remain long with their parents, they hide this fact to avoid disquietude, and in order that their daughters may not be prevented from being married. Nevertheless, they of the Settrea caste pay not the least heed hereto, but marry not only with girls who have never had their flowers, but also with those whom they know have had them; though they also hold it more honourable that they give regard to this matter. Whensoever a Bramin setteth forth to make provi- sion for his son, he must pay right close heed to the omens which meet him, whether they be good or bad; for if an evil omen happeneth to him when he goeth to make his first suit, then must he defer it until 4he next day. If then, before the second journeying, an ill omen meeteth him, he must again defer it till another day. But if again, for the third time, an evil omen encountereth him, then must he wholly abandon his marriage suit, deeming that it will be an unlucky mar-