264 AN EARLY DUTCH ACCOUNT OF INDIA
gold, the which they melt, and if the molten gold show-
eth clear, they hold it for a good omen and think that
it is proper to proceed with the marriage; but if it
showeth dark, it is an ill omen and the marriage is
deferred. Nevertheless, the Bramines hold very little
to this omen.
Whenever a daughter is sought in marriage by any
one, then must the father of the daughter seek to see
the man by whom this suit is made, and to have knowl-
edge of his position, and after he hath been acquainted
therewith, if the man pleaseth him, he then permitteth
the bachelor to come unto the friends of the daughter
and that he may also see the daughter with his own eyes.
If, then, they fancy each the other, and if this be well
pleasing to the friends, the marriage is concluded and
confirmed. But those of the Soudra caste will not grant
their daughters except the bridegroom count out for
the daughter a certain sum of money which the father
bespeaketh; so that he seemeth to buy her. Neverthe-
less, they will not call this money purchase-money, but
a gift.
When a marriage is agreed upon, then is a time set
for a certain good day, that the friends may come to-
gether from every side to perform the ceremonies which
are by custom used amongst them whensoever two per-
sons have plighted their marriage troth. And these
are as follows: the father of the bride giveth betel to
the friends of the bridegroom, and he testifieth in the
presence of all them that are there present that he hath
given his daughter unto N., sib of the friends there
