r own breasts.

"The soul itself is its own witness, the soul itself is its own refuge;
offend not thy conscious soul, the supreme internal witness of men."

"The fruit of every virtuous act which thou hast done, O good man,
since thy birth, shall depart from thee to the dogs, if thou deviate
from the truth."

"O friend to virtue, the Supreme Spirit, which is the same with
thyself, resides in thy bosom perpetually, and is an all-knowing
inspector of thy goodness or wickedness."

The law then proceeds to describe the punishments which the gods would
inflict upon false witnesses; but, curiously enough, allows false witness
to be given, from a benevolent motive, in order to save an innocent man
from a tyrant. This is called "the venial sin of benevolent falsehood."
The book then proceeds to describe weights and measures, and the rate of
usury, which is put down as five percent. It forbids compound interest.
The law of deposits occupies a large space, as in all Eastern countries,
where investments are difficult. A good deal is said about the wages of
servants, especially of those hired to keep cattle, and their
responsibilities. The law of slander is carefully laid down. Crimes of
violence are also minutely described, and here the _Lex Talionis_ comes
in. If a man strikes a human being or an animal so as to inflict much
pain, he shall be struck himself in the same way. A man is allowed to
correct with a small stick his wife, son, or servant, but not on the head
or any noble part of the body. The Brahmans, however, are protected by
special laws.

"Never shall the king flay a Brahman, though convicted of all possible
crimes: let him banish the offender from his realm, but with all his
property secure and his body unhurt."

"No greater crime is known on earth than flaying a Brahman; and the
king, therefore, must not even form in his mind the idea of killing a
priest."

The Ninth Book relates to women, to families, and to the law of castes. It
states that women must be kept in a state of dependence.

"Their fathers protect them in childhood; their husbands protect them
in youth; their sons protect them in age. A woman is never fit for
independence."

It is the duty of men to watch and guard women, and very unfavorable
opinions are expressed concerning the female character.

"Women have no business with the text of the Veda; this is fully
settled; therefore hav