[An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies by Robert Knox]@TWC D-Link bookAn Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies PART III 29/205
Of these two last there are but few. [The lower ranks may not assume the Habit or Names of the higher.] All below the Couratto or Elephant-Men, may not sit on Stools, nor wear Doublets, except the Barbar, nor wear the Cloth low down their Legs.
Neither may any of these ranks of People, either Man or Woman, except the Potter and the Washer, wear the end of their Cloth to cover their Bodies, unless they be sick or cold.
Neither may they presume to be called by the Names that the Hondrews are called by; nor may they, where they are not known, change themselves by pretending or seeming to be higher than Nature hath made them: and I think they never do, but own themselves in the rank and quality wherein they were born, and demean themselves accordingly. All Outlandish People are esteemed above the inferior ranks.
The Names of the Hondrews always end in oppow, of others below the degree of the Elephant People in adgah. [Slaves.] The Slaves may make another rank.
For whose maintenance, their Masters allow them Land and Cattle.
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