These constituted the principal caste of the Indians, according to whose doctrine _Brahma_, from whom they are called, is the first of the three created beings by whom the world was made. This Brahma is said to have communicated to the Indians four books, in which all the sciences and ceremonies of their religion are comprised. The word Brahma, in the Indian language, signifies _pervading all things_. The Brahmins lead a life of most rigid abstinence refraining not only from the use, but even the touch, of animal food; and are equally exemplary for their contempt of pleasures and devotion to philosophy and religion.--D’HERBELOT, p. 212. BRUCKERI _Hist. Philosoph._, tom. i, p. 194. PAGE 236. _... fakirs_ This sect were a kind of religious anchorets, who spent their whole lives in the severest austerities and mortification. It is almost impossible for the imagination to form an extravagance that has not been practised by some of them, to torment themselves. As their reputation for sanctity rises in proportion to their sufferings, those amongst them are reverenced the most, who are most ingenious in the invention of tortures, and persevering in enduring them. Hence some have persisted in sitting or standing for years together in one unvaried posture, supporting an almost intolerable burden, dragging the most cumbrous chains, exposing their naked bodies to the scorching sun, and hanging with the head downward before the fiercest fires.--_Relig. Ceremon._, vol. iii, p. 264, etc. WHITE’S _Sermons_, p. 504. PAGE 237. _... Visnow and Ixhora_ Two deities of the East Indians, concerning whose history and adventures more nonsense is related than can be found in the whole compass of mythology besides. The traditions of their votaries are, no doubt, allegorical; but without a key to disclose their mystic import, they are little better than senseless jargon. PAGE 237. _... talapoins_ This order, which abounds in Siam, Laos, Pegu, and other countries, consists of different classes, and both sexes, but chiefly of men.--_Relig. Ceremon._, vol. iv, p. 62, etc. PAGE 237. _... small plates of abominations_ The Koran hath established several distinctions relative to different kinds of food, in imitation of the Jewish prescriptions; and many Mahometans are so scrupulous as not to touch the flesh of any animal over which, _in articulo mortis_, the butcher had omitted to pronounce the _Bismillah_.--_Relig. Ceremon._, vol. vii, p. 110. PAGE 238. _... fish which they drew from a river_ According to Le Bruyn, the Oriental method of fishing with a line, is by winding it round the finger, and when the fisherman feels that the bait is taken, he draws in the string with alternate hands: in this way, he adds, a good dish of fish is soon caught. Tom. i, p. 564. It appears, from a circumstance related by Galand, that Vathek was fond of this amusement.--D’HERBELOT, _Suppl._, p. 210. PAGE 238. _Sinai_