Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/54

46 The other form, of a special character, is as follows:

Oath taken by the chiefs of the Mootahs of Rottungen, and Chinungea, on the occasion of the settlement of a boundary dispute, which had been for many years the cause of war between the two districts.

"The dispute which has existed between us so long is now decided—we will forget it and remain in peace, and hold our lands according to the limits laid down. Whichever party acts otherwise, and causes disputes again to arise, let him be reduced to dust, and his race and name become unknown."

The parties administered the oath to each other, holding over the head of the swearing party a basket of the soil, whilst he repeated the words of the oath.

Such are the materials which I have endeavoured so to digest as to place them in a somewhat clear and intelligible order. I do not know that any remarks of mine, whether laboured, or otherwise, could add to the deep but melancholy interest, which these documents are calculated to excite. It is quite clear that these people are not Hindus; though a few ideas may have been borrowed from the latter. The Khoonds are clearly in a state next to entire barbarism. I am told that people from the north speak of the khoi mountaineers as wild, deformed, and of vindictive character; so much so, that it is not safe to speak to one of them, as a real or imaginary affront is never forgiven, but if possible is avenged with blood. They are also said to be potent in the use of charms, and incantations; but these may be idle tales. One cannot, however, but remark their dissolute and drunken habits, as in most semi-barbarous people; a description of vice usually leading to vindictiveness, ferocity, and blood-shedding. And when ferocity and murder become parts of a people's religion, every thing else may be expected that is degrading to human nature. Philanthropists have a new field opened for their exertions; and I would, with pleasure, anticipate the time when they may become a Christianized, civilized, humane, and respectable, people.

I have to solicit indulgence for any possible faults, that may have inadvertently entered into these observations, which have been prepared amidst many other, and very dissimilar, occupations.

[The foregoing article, based principally on information communicated by the late lamented Commissioner in Goomsoor, will, independent of its intrinsic value, be read with lively, yet melancholy, interest, as a posthumous relic of one, who, to the infinite regret of his many friends, and great loss of the Government, whose upright and talented functionary he was, has been cut off in the prime of life, and in the midst of a career which must have proved eminently useful to the country, as well as highly honourable to himself.—Editor.]