2. _To rob no one of his property._--We are told by Strabo, that, in ancient times, the Indians never entertained any idea of shutting their houses: so great was the contentment and simplicity of the people of India, and so great their respect for the laws! At present, there is great reason to suspect that things are considerably changed. At _Collam_ I saw a native of Malabar, of the cast of the _Cianas_, hanging on a gallows, for having stolen three coco-nuts in the house of a _Nayr_. The _corpus delicti_ was suspended from his neck, in order that it might serve as a warning to all passengers. 3. _Never to offend with a neighbour’s wife._--This law refers to adultery, of which an account has been already given in the preceding chapter. 4. _Never to say any thing that is contrary to truth._--The orientals were formerly so addicted to lying, that governments were reduced to the necessity of employing the severest means to extort the truth from persons accused of any crime. Thus, for example, they caused the culprit to hold his finger in boiling oil, or poured melted lead into his hand, in order to make him confess. This practice was afterwards transferred from the east to the west; and we still find traces of its having been actually introduced among different barbarous nations. The people of Malabar have such a bad character as liars, that every magistrate or merchant, who transacts any business of importance with them, causes the affair to be committed to writing, and to be signed by them. Such a document is called _Caicitta_; that is, a writing or note under a person’s own hand. 5. _Not to drink what may occasion intoxication._--This law refers not only to all strong liquors in general, but, in particular, to the use of opium, and the _Canjava_ or _Bangue_ leaves. Tippoo Sultan forbade his soldiers to use any of these things, under the punishment of death. In the year 1787, _Rama Varmer_, the king of Travancor, issued an order by which the use of _Tàgara_, that is, palm-brandy, was prohibited under pain of the confiscation of property. At _Pullingune_, a woman was condemned to the besom, and her house confiscated, because contrary to this prohibition she had sold _Tàgara_. The contempt which the Indians entertain for the Europeans, arises chiefly from the latter being so much addicted to drinking. For this reason also they are called _Ciandàler_, or _Nisher_; that is, contemptible, impure, unclean people.