262 AN EARLY DUTCH ACCOUNT OF INDIA
about this matter than they that be poor, and the rich
are ofttimes busied herewith when their children are
but eight years old, yea, some so soon as they have
received the cord, that is, in their fifth year. And it
is also carefully observed of the Bramines that they
ever look for a daughter who is younger than their son.
The reason is, so the Bramin testified, because that the
Bramines may not marry women who have already
had their flowers; wherefore the Bramines are right
careful to marry their daughters off full soon, since
if a daughter of a Bramin be not married before
her time, no one may take her to wife. Whensoever
daughters remain long with their parents, they hide
this fact to avoid disquietude, and in order that their
daughters may not be prevented from being married.
Nevertheless, they of the Settrea caste pay not the
least heed hereto, but marry not only with girls who
have never had their flowers, but also with those whom
they know have had them; though they also hold it
more honourable that they give regard to this matter.
Whensoever a Bramin setteth forth to make provi-
sion for his son, he must pay right close heed to the
omens which meet him, whether they be good or bad;
for if an evil omen happeneth to him when he goeth
to make his first suit, then must he defer it until 4he
next day. If then, before the second journeying, an
ill omen meeteth him, he must again defer it till another
day. But if again, for the third time, an evil omen
encountereth him, then must he wholly abandon his
marriage suit, deeming that it will be an unlucky mar-
