________________
JULY, 1902.)
THE ANDAMANS IN THE XVIITTH CENTURY.
811
Notos. A. 4. mthsom = mthso, lake. 6. phonche: or faolche, much, in this connection "much land.' 7. khrom zed=khromme red, glittering brush,' used for velvet. 10. yug means "not sewn,' I am told; thu 'a long woven piece of cloth.'
B. 3. ba rgan, old ox; compare Song No. XV. 29. 8. Agu Khru btung (the spelling of the name is doubtful) has not a human, but falcon's head.
Notes. This song shows clearly the general character of the wedding songs. It is not in direct connection with the rest of the wedding songs, but forms a scene by itself. After the Nyopas (lit., "buyers" of the bride) have entered the house, they are not allowed to sit down on a carpet, until they have answered the questions, which form the first half of this song. [This custom seems to be allied to the world-wide "impossible riddle" of Folklore, which is a variant of the idea of the * impossible task" AS A supernatural method of identifying of the expected hero. The root idea here would seem to be that the Nyopas have to prove that that they really are Nyopas before being received, and the proof is in the Folklore method of answering certain formal riddles, ng one of the "signs" of the coming hero. - ED.]
EXTRACTS FROM THE BENGAL CONSULTATIONS OF THE XVIIITH CENTURY
BELATING TO THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS.
BY SIR BIOHARD C. TEMPLE, ( Continued from p. 284.)
1798.-No. LV. The following Letters were written on the 13th Instant, to Major Kyd, the Agent for Fort Marlbro', and the Register of the Nizamut Adawlat.
No. 1. To Major Alexander Kyd, Superintendant at the Andamans.
Sir, I have received your Letter of the 13th Instant, and laid it before the Board, who direct Me to Acquaint you that you are Authorised to settle with Mr. Copestake for the Conveyance of one hundred Men and one thousand Bags of Grain in the Vessel you Mention to the Andamans, and landing them at Port Cornwallis on the Terms to which you have reported him willing to agree.
Orders will be givent for eighty Convicts to be held is readiness to embark in this Vessel ; and you will be pleased to Acquaint Mr. Barlow the Register to the Nizamut Adawlut, when she will be prepared to receive them.
The Governor General in Council has instructed me to advise you, in respect to Provisions that there are in Store, under charge of Mr. Perreau, the Agent for Fort Marlbro' 425 Bags of Rice and 290 Bags of wheat, which were intended for that Residency, but could not be taken on board the Ship that was to have carried them, and that, if the whole or any part of this Grain should be found of a Quality that will answer for the Convicts, Mr. Perreau is directed to deliver it over to your Order.
You are desired to let me know whether you will require the whole, or any, and that part of this Store ; and apon receiving your Answer, I shall be able to judge of the Quantity of Rice in Addition to Dholl, Ghee, and salt which the Garrison Store Keeper should provide, in such Proportions of each as you may point out,
