That the overseers of temples on the coast of Malabar have still the power of letting such pieces of ground, appears from this circumstance, besides others, that our convent at _Verapole_ had actually a lease of part of a field which belonged to a Pagan temple. No private person, whether noble or not, can pretend to any such property in land. On the contrary, every ten years the _Nilavarì_, a tax established at the first measurement of lands, must be paid for all fields and pieces of ground every ten years. Besides this tax, a third or fourth part of the rent is also sometimes imposed according as the contracting parties have agreed. From the palm-gardens the _Ettona_, that is, the eighth palm, is exacted. The poorer classes must pay the _Talapanam_, an impost which amounts to five _Panam_ for each head, and is equivalent to the poll-tax introduced into some of the countries of Europe. The _Mucaver_, or fishermen, pay a tax called _Valà_, that is, net-money; and consists of a _Ràgi_ of gold, or ten _Ciacras_, twenty-six of which are equal to a florin. It is unfortunately too true, that the Indians live in a state of oppression, and in time of war are treated with particular severity. Robertson, however, has drawn a very flattering picture of the humanity and mildness of the Indian princes and British governors; but it is much to be lamented that it is contrasted, in so striking a manner, with the conduct of a Moens and many others. The fourth noble cast consists of the _Shudra_. To these belong the _Citracàra_, painters; the _Tunaciaya_, dyers of cloth; the _Pushpaga_, garland-makers; the _Shastramagia_, smiths; the _Ciaruna_, singers; the _Ciarmacàra_, coblers; also the weavers, taylors, carpenters, silver-smiths, clockmakers, and other artisans. All these people form separate classes, the members of which cannot eat with each other, and much less intermarry. The meaner casts are called _Nisha_, or _Ciandala_; that is, the contemptible, low, impure. To these belong the fishermen; the _Cianas_, or labourers in gardens, who carry water, and water the young palm-trees; the _Parreas_, or skinners; those persons who cleanse ponds; barbers, potters, and the Malabar _Pelleyas_. The last are only slaves, but a very useful kind of men; for they guard the fruits of the earth, keep the buffaloes employed in ploughing, take care of the crops, and separate the rice from its husks. CHAPTER V. _Administration of Justice among the Indians._