CEREMONIOUS VISITS 331
— a position which signifies contempt for their interlocutor, and which they are always very pleased to assume, to show the sense of their own superiority. When they pay a visit, no matter what may be the rank or dignity of their host, they never wait till they are asked to take a seat, but do so the instant they enter the room. People of all castes, when visiting a superior, must wait until they are dismissed before they can take leave.
There are several ceremonious visits which must be paid, such as visits of condolence, visits at pongul, and several
others of which I shall speak later on. The feast of pongul and the following days are mostly celebrated by presents
which near relatives make to each other, and which consist of new earthen vessels on which certain designs are traced
in lime, also ground rice, fruit, sugar, saffron, & c. Such gifts are conveyed with much solemnity and accompanied by instruments of music. These little attentions are indispensable in the case of certain individuals. For instance, a mother must not neglect giving presents to her married
daughter; otherwise the mother-in-law would resent the
omission to her dying day.
With them letters of condolence on occasions of mourning
can never take the place of a visit, as they so often do with
us. Some member of the family must go in person to wail and lament, and perform the other ridiculous ceremonies
that are customary on such occasions, even though a journey of fifty miles or more has to be made.
When a Hindu visits a person of importance for the first time he must not omit to take presents with him, which he will offer as a mark of respect, and to show that he comes with friendly intentions. It is generally considered a lack of good manners to appear with empty hands before any
one of superior position, or fromwhom a favour is expected. Those whose means do not permit of their offering presents of great value may bring such things as sugar, bananas, cocoanuts, betel, & c.
In conclusion, it must be admitted that the laws of etiquette and social politeness are much more clearly laid down, and much better observed by all classes of Hindus, even by the lowest, than they are by people of corresponding social position in Europe.