Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/171

Rh first fall upon them, and no damage come to the harvest. They are also esteemed highly efficacious in keeping off the demons, of whom the Hindus stand in constant dread.

It is not their crops alone, but life and health also are supposed to be in danger of misfortune from the glance of evil eyes. They are especially careful to guard their new-born children from such a misfortune. For this purpose a lamp is made from a paste of rice-flour, filled with oil, and lit. It is then waved in circles before the babe, and placed by its side. Visitors will naturally first look at the lamp; and the harm which might result, as they in their superstitious fear suppose, from the glance of sorcerors or evil-disposed persons, will be averted. This is but one of a thousand imaginary dangers of which the heathen inhabitants of India stand in constant dread.

But, having passed through a grove of cocoanut-trees, under which were the huts of poor toddy-drawers from the south, we now entered the street of Sanjuvarayan-pettah. The peon who stood at the police station, making a low salaam, asked for a book. One was given him, and after a little conversation, we passed on. The women stopped their brooms and tongues