unclean, profane wretches! At certain times the Brahmans described a circle on the ground, placed the statue within it, and, standing close to each other, formed themselves into a ring around it. They then repeated, all together, certain prescribed forms of prayer; and the _Sarvavèda_, or Brahman whose business it was, bestrewed the statue with flowers. This ceremony is called _Archyapugia_, the offering of flowers. On other occasions they make a like circle on the ground, but place eight smaller statues on its circumference, in such a manner that they stand at a certain distance from each other, and look towards the eight points of the heaven from which the winds blow. The Brahmans entertain an opinion, that the eight subordinate deities, whom they call _Indrà_, _Aghni_, _Yama_, _Nirudi_, _Varunna_, _Vàgu_, _Vaishrava_, and _Shiva_, have the care of these eight districts of the heavens; and for this reason they place the above eight statues at an equal distance from each other, and request them to take the world under their protection, that it may not vary in its course. The second noble cast consists of the _Kshetria_, or _Ragiaputra_, that is, the children of kings; for _Ragia_ signifies a king, and _Putra_ a son or child. Father Marcus à Tumba says, very erroneously, in, his manuscript that _Ragput_ are a kind of Brahmans who devote themselves to the military state. The word _Ragput_ is properly nothing else than the Samscred _Ragiaputra_, which has been most wretchedly corrupted; and these _Ragiaputra_ are not Brahmans, but warriors, from whose cast the Indian kings are chosen. Father Norbert, the missionary, who examined this point better than Father Marcus, explains himself respecting it as follows, in a manuscript which I have now before me: “The second cast, which is called _Satrias_ (_Kshetria_), consists only and exclusively of the royal family.” And indeed this is actually the case: the true and lawful sovereigns are all descended from the cast of the _Kshetria_, though Brahmans also reign in some provinces, such as _Edapalli_, _Parur_, _Pandalam_, &c. The _Kshetria_ are educated from their infancy in the schools and academies of the Brahmans. They wear likewise the sash, but are not authorised to read or explain the _Vèda_. This sash serves merely as a memorandum to the members of the cast, that it is the duty of a king to sway the sceptre with wisdom, and to behave with the strictest justice towards his subjects. The art of government is, therefore, the principal science which the _Kshetria_ must study in the schools of the Brahmans. _Perumpadapil_ the king of Cochin, the old king of Madura, king _Colatiri_ or _Colastri_, and _Rama Varmer_ the king of Travancor, were all educated by Brahmans in such temples. Every reigning prince has around him priests and philosophers of this kind, who must assist him by their service and advice, in order that he may undertake nothing contrary to the religion or laws of the country.