By this establishment the knowledge of a great many things necessary for the public good is not only widely diffused, but transmitted to posterity; who are thereby enabled still farther to improve them, and bring them nearer to perfection. In the time of Alexander the Great, the Indians had acquired such skill in the mechanical arts, that Nearchus, the commander of his fleet, was much amazed at the dexterity with which they imitated the accoutrements of the Grecian soldiers. I once found myself in a similar situation. Having intrusted to an Indian artist a lamp made in Portugal, the workmanship of which was exceedingly pretty, Some days after he brought me another so like my own that I could Scarcely distinguish any difference. It, however, cannot be denied, that the arts and sciences in India have greatly declined since foreign conquerors expelled the native kings; by which several provinces have been laid entirely waste, and the casts confounded with each other. Before that period, the different kingdoms were in a flourishing condition; the laws were respected, and justice and civil order prevailed: but, unfortunately, at present every thing in many of the provinces must give way to absolute authority and despotic sway. CHAPTER II. _State of Marriage among the Indians._ Marriage, in the Samscred language, is called _Vivàha_, or _Pànigrahanna_; the latter of which implies joining of hands, from _Pàni_ the hand, and _Grahanna_ laying hold. In the common Malabar dialect it is called _Pennbeta_; that is, a bond or an union with a female. _Kettunu_ signifies to bind; _Pennkettunu_, to bind one’s self, or to unite a woman to one’s self by means of a bond. _Kettiastri_ signifies a bound woman; _Kettiaven_, a bound man, that is, a man who gives a woman a love-pledge; who puts a necklace round her neck, betrothes himself to her in this manner, and declares her to be his married wife. _Bharta_ signifies a husband, he who rules; and _Bharya_, a woman or wife, who is subject to rule. These modes of expression are, however, common only among the noble casts, and are to be distinguished from the word _Kùtticondupògunu_, which implies the same as to lead a woman to your father’s house, or to take her home to your own; by which is signified, at the same time, the method of betrothing practised among the meaner casts. This second kind of marriage is performed, as among the Romans, _per usucapionem_; but with this difference, that the bridegroom must present himself before the superintendant of his cast, tell him the name of his bride, and, as a token that he actually takes her to wife, put into his hand a small stone. From this it appears, that the foundation of marriage among the Indians is in all cases a real contract or agreement, which acquires perfect validity according to the laws, and in a court of justice.