The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Second PartHead, Richard
General
The English Rogue: Continued in the Life of Meriton Latroon, and Other Extravagants: The Second Part
Head, Richard
Rogues and vagabonds -- England -- Fiction
That particular of _Bremans_ Book that concerned this Cast, contained
certain precepts of Government and Policy, which being of common import,
I chose to omit, and shall only tell you, that in their flourishing
estate they were the ancient Kings of _India_, especially of that part
that is called _Guzzarat_, and were called by the name of _Racabs_,
which signifies a King; they are said to have thirty six Tribes, and
none were admitted to rule or govern but out of these Tribes. But in
time these _Racabs_ were most of them put from the Government, and
destroyed by the _Mahometans_, who oppressed them; some of them still
remain, and are called _Rashpootes_, which I have before named; some are
as yet unconquered, and sometimes fight with and against the great
_Mogul_.
The third Son of _Ponrous_ being called _Shuddery_, and Merchandizing
being appointed him, all Merchants therefore are comprized under this
Name. The particular of _Bremans_ Book that concerned this Cast, was a
Seminary of Religious advertizement, enjoyning them to truth in their
words and dealings. These are they that are most properly called
_Banians_, which name signifies a _harmless People_, that will not
endure to see a fly, or worm, or any living thing to be injured, and
being themselves strucken, bear it patiently without resistance; they
are equal in number of their Casts to the _Brammanes_, and being like to
them, do more strictly follow their injunctions. Their form and contract
in buying and selling is something notable; for the Broaker that beateth
the price with him that selleth, looseth his _Pamerin_ that his folded
about his wast, and spreading it upon his knee, with hands folded
underneath, by their fingers ends the price of pounds, shillings or
pence, is fixed, as the Chapman is intended to give: The seller in like
manner intimateth how much he purposeth to have; which silent
composition their Law enjoyneth.
Lastly, as the Son of _Ponrous_ was called _Wyse_, and was Master of
Merchants or Handicrafts, so all Handicrafts are of that Tribe. The
directions that were in _Breman’s_ Book for these, were touching their
behaviours in their Callings: The name _Wyse_ signifies one that one is
_servile_ or _instrumentary_; these People are now commonly called
_Gentiles_, which are of two sorts; first, the purer _Gentile_, such as
diet themselves as the _Banians_, not eating flesh, fish or wine; and
the impure eat of all sorts, and are commonly Husbandmen, and usually
called _Coulees_. Those of the purer sort have thirty six Casts,
according to the number of the Trades practised among them; in which,
they make as few instruments serve for the effecting of divers works, as
may be; and whatever they do, is contrary to the Christian form of
working, for the most part. This is the substance of the the third Tract
of the Book delivered to _Breman_, concerning the manner of the four
Tribes.
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