himself
passionately to games of hazard; he is a good husband, a good father;
jealous of his wife's honour, but careless of his daughter's; who,
despite any little faux-pas, meets with no difficulty in getting
a husband.

The Tagal is of very sober habits: all he requires is water, a
little rice, and salt-fish. In his estimation an aged man is an
object of great veneration; and where there exists a family of them
in all periods of life, the youngest is naturally most subservient
to the eldest.

The Tagal, like the Arab, is hospitably inclined, without any sentiment
of egotism, and certainly without any other idea than that of relieving
suffering humanity: so that when a stranger appears before an Indian
hut at meal-time, were the poor Indian only to have what was strictly
necessary for his family, it is his greatest pleasure to invite and
press the stranger to take a place at his humble board, and partake
of his family cheer. When an old man, whose days are dwindling to
the shortest span, can work no longer, he is sure to find a refuge,
an asylum, a home, at a neighbour's, where he is looked upon as one
of the family. There he may remain till he is called to "that bourne
from whence no traveller returns."

Amongst the Tagals the marriage ceremony is somewhat peculiar. It
is preceded by two other ceremonies, the first of which is called
Tain manoc, Tagal words, signifying or meaning "the cock looking
after his hen." Therefore, when once a young man has informed his
father and mother that he has a predeliction for a young Indian girl,
his parents pay a visit to the young girl's parents upon some fine
evening, and after some very ordinary chat the mamma of the young man
offers a piaster to the mamma of the young lady. Should the future
mother-in-law accept, the young lover is admitted, and then his future
mother-in-law is sure to go and spend the very same piaster in betel
and cocoa-wine. During the greater portion of the night the whole
company assembled upon the occasion chews betel, drinks cocoa-wine,
and discusses upon all other subjects but marriage. The young men
never make their appearance till the piaster has been accepted,
because in that case they look upon it as being the first and most
essential step towards their marriage.

On the next day the young man pays a visit to the mother, father,
and other relatives of his affianced bride. There he is received as
one of the family; he sleeps there, he lodges th