70 INTRODUCTION. (pp. 72, 252). *The price of a pearl necklace is calculated in minute detail by a poet who wrote about 1750 A.D. on pp. 482-483; a vivid account of the grocer Murari Shil and the way in which he transacted business is to be found in Mukundaram's poem p. 348. An earlier poet describes a black-smith named Tărăpati who was a great constructive genius (p. 202.) His yellow hair marks him out as an alien though it appears that he was a domiciled Bengali. It is quite possible that some of the artizan classes did not originally belong to the Hindu community, as up to now the water touched by them has remained undrinkable by the higher classes. lf seems that the Brahmins of Bengal before the period of the Hindu Renaissance did not always wear the sacred thread, which is now compulsory for them. This is indicated on pp 58 and 72. In the genealogical work of a class of Brahmins, it is clearly mentioned that they had once abandoned the secred thread under Buddhistic influence but adopted it again with the permission of the Vaidics. Various castes and their respective duties are mentioned on pp 315-320. A yogini in her dress as such is described on p 274. How marriage negotiations and the selection of brides used to be made in the 15th century will be found on pp. 248-249. Marriage expenses are mentioned on pp 1680–1682. Marriage rites are described on pp. 418, 419 and 942. It appears to have been customary in the 10th century to give away along with a princess, her sisters and many other maidens to the bridegroom as a part of dowry at his marriage (p 78). Polyandry is indicated on p 240. Various musical instruments are named on p 259. The style in which women lived in high society is narrated on p 389. Village amusements at the birth of a rich man's son are described on p 373. Education of young men, the sports and amusements they indulged in and the dramatic performances they held are described on pp. 368, 1678, 1696 and 1853–1854. On pp. 211 and 1456 will be found very picturesque descriptions of two Indian sages and their conduct in society. Prices of articles of food about the year 1720 will be found on p 98. Quarrels between a husband and wife are described with great force on pp 1432–1435, 1453, 1451-1452 and 1453. 14. The Vaişnava Padas. I shall not attempt to translate any of the padas of the great Vaisnava song-masters. The delicate shades of emotions couched in the melodious language of these gifted poets will but be ill-conveyed in a translation and I abstain from taking such a task upon myself. Those who are privileged to read and understand the Bengali originals will find in these lyrics the bloom and the highest perfection of tender thought. Bengal was once famous for the wonderful fabrics known as Dacca mus/in. But these
- See Banga Bhașā-o-Sāhitya (1908) p 673.
