To this particular, great attention is paid; it being considered, that the rank of the servant bearing the message, or note, implies the degree of respect the person sending would pay to the person receiving. Thus, a message sent by a _jemmadar_, is held to be more ceremonious, than one by a _chobe-dar_; by a _chobe-dar_ more respectful than by a _soontah-burdar_; and by a _soontah-burdar_ than by a _peon_, or _hirkarah_. So well is this understood, that, the precursors of a great man always arrange themselves according to the above rules; the _hirkarahs_ and _peons_ are the foremost; next to them the _soontah-burdars_; then the _chobe-dars_; and, lastly, the _jemmadar_; the latter running at the side of the palanquin, but being replaced during occasional absence by a _chobe-dar_; and thus throughout. It must not be forgotten, that, in India, the retinue precede the employer: a custom by no means suited to the climate, though perhaps gratifying to those who take pleasure in seeing two lines of sweating domestics preceding them; it need hardly be urged, how unpleasant the clouds of dust raised by them must be to the person seated in the palanquin. The dresses of the _jemmadar_, and of the _chobe-dars_, may be considered the same; there being no characteristic difference, though the former usually make their _jammas_, or robes, which are always of white calico; unless where colored broad-cloath may have been presented to them for the purpose of making up liveries: which, however, do not usually extend to this class of messengers; white being considered by themselves more dignified. Nor do they feel any partiality for colored turbans, or waist-bands. The _Soontah-burdar_ bears a baton of about thirty inches in length, generally curved at its upper extremity, so as to resemble the ordinary form of bludgeons. These batons are made of the same materials as the _chobe_, or pole; but, while the latter are borne, when their bearers are proceeding with a palanquin, by a suitable balance near their centres, like trailed arms, the former are held by their lower extremities; which, since they never are rested on the ground, as the _chobes_ are, require no ferules; the crooked end of the _soontah_ being carried over the shoulder. _Soontah-burdars_ are frequently employed by persons in a second or third rate of office, or of opulence, where no _jemmadar_, nor _chobe-dar_, is kept. As already explained, the absence of one state-servant calls up the next in rank to supply his place; a circumstance which by no means impairs the dignity of the _locum tenens_. The pay of this servant varies according to circumstances, but may be from six to ten rupees monthly: the dress differs from that of the superior class; it, in most cases, being confined to a much shorter _jamma_, reaching only to the knees, or but little below them, and there being less objection to wear colored turbans, &c.