of

to doubt, that the nautches, dholes, gauns, and other religious amusements of many the lower orders, are supplied from these The author above mentioned has

sources.

many excellent observations on this head.

Although we cannot interfere with their religion, we may in some degree prevent the irregularity of the natives at their work. They are generally inclined to work two or three days in the week, and sit idle during the rest of it. When they do work, they will do it night and day. By prohibiting every work at night, we shall render it necessary for them to work every day, and the frequency of fires in the villages will also decrease by this means; for they are generally occasioned by the carelessness of those who work during the night.

Whence do the lower ranks of natives obtain the means of indulging in drinking? and

VOL. II.

R

yet

yet we know to what a length it is carried. There can be little doubt, that dacoity and theft supply these. No good man would lose by the abolition of soorees and publichouses.

It is a subject of great doubt, whether the use of spiritous liquors is at all necessary to the existence of the lower orders in any nation; and it is a curious fact, that when the distilleries were altogether stopped in 1786 and 1787, in England, although bread and provisions were very high, yet the poor were more comfortable, and better fed and clothed than ever; they paid their rents regularly; quarrels and assaults wéré less frequent; they seldom resorted to pawn-brokers shops, and learned to live happily without spirits. There can be little doubt, that the natives in this country would suffer nothing by the abolition of the sale of spiritous liquors.

With regard to the press of Civil business, and too great attention to regular forms, I have already made several observations in the course of this Essay, particularly in the Chapter on Native Evidence, and on the delays in the administration of justice.

The last remaining cause needs only to be mentioned; for we must altogether change the condition of the natives, before they can afford to have houses better protected. Whenever a fire takes place, however, the Magistrate may soon improve the native huts, by compelling them to build in regular streets. By this means, the native villages become not only much neater and more easily kept clean, but stronger, and more easily guarded.

I shall now hasten to release my readers, by concluding my subject.

R 2

CHAP. IX.

CONCLUSION.

In the present Chapter, which is to conclude this Essay, it will be my object shortly to recapitulate the subjects which have been discussed more at length in the body of the work, including in this manner the most material changes which I have ventured to suggest, and referring the reader, for the reasons of these changes, to the foregoing chapters of the Essay. But, as I have very little reason to expect that all, or any of my fellow-labourers will have waded patiently through a large and troublesome de