on of Indians is known to be divided into
four ranks, or stocks, which are called by a Portuguese name, Castes,
each of which has its own particular sub-division. Of these castes, the
Brahmins is the first; the second contains the Tschechterias, or Setreas;
the third consists of the Beis, or Wazziers; the fourth is the caste of
the above-mentioned Suders, who, upon the peninsula of Malabar, where
their condition is the same as in Hindustan, are called Parias and
Pariers. The first were appointed by Brahma to seek after knowledge, to
give instruction, and to take care of religion. The second were to serve
in war. The third were, as the Brahmins, to cultivate science, but
particularly to attend to the breeding of cattle. The caste of the
Suders was to be subservient to the Brahmins, the Tschechterias, and the
Beis. These Suders, he goes on to say, are held in disdain, and they are
considered infamous and unclean from their occupation, and they are
abhorred because they eat flesh; the three other castes living entirely
on vegetables. Baldeus says the Parias or Suders are a filthy people and
wicked crew. It is related in the "Danish Mission Intelligencer," nobody
can deny that the Parias are the dregs and refuse of all the Indians;
they are thievish, and have wicked dispositions. Neuhof assures us, "the
Parias are full of every kind of dishonesty; they do not consider lying
and cheating to be sinful." The Gipsy's solicitude to conceal his
language is also a striking Indian trait. Professor Pallas says of the
Indians round Astracan, custom has rendered them to the greatest degree
suspicious about their language. Salmon says that the nearest relations
cohabit with each other; and as to education, their children grow up in
the most shameful neglect, without either discipline or instruction. The
missionary journal before quoted says with respect to matrimony among the
Suders or Gipsies, "they act like beasts, and their children are brought
up without restraint or information." "The Suders are fond of horses, so
are the Gipsies." Grellmann goes on to say "that the Gipsies hunt after
cattle which have died of distempers in order to feed on them, and when
they can procure more of the flesh than is sufficient for one day's
consumption, they dry it in the sun. Such is the constant custom with
the Suders in India." "That the Gipsies and natives of Hindustan
resemble each other in complexion and shape is undeniable. And