Page:Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.djvu/353

Rh to be unable to walk home. In intellect, however, they are undoubtedly superior to the other castes.

The accompanying illustration gives a view of a wayfaring Brahmin taking his food. He is represented uncovered from the waist up, as a true Brahmin ever should be, and with his thread about his shoulder. His head is shaved except a lock on the crown, which is formed into a coodamy or queue. On the glossy green plantain-leaf which is spread on the ground before him, serving for table-cloth and plate, is piled a little mountain of rice. This he has flattened at the summit with the knuckles of his right hand, (his wife is doing the same by hers,) and his daughter-in-law, the usual maid-of-all-work, is ladling into the cavity the curry (vegetable curry, of course) with which his dinner is to be seasoned. On the leaf are pickles or other relishes. When he is well helped, the Brahminee will receive her allowance, and the poor daughter-in-law will take what is left. The cooking process is seen at the right. Three stones form the fireplace; on these stands the earthen rice-pot, under which the little sticks

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