Travels Amongst the Todas; Or the Study of a Primitive Tribe in South India - History, Character, Customs, Religion, Infanticide, Polyandry, Language With Outlines of the Tuda Grammar #248603

I had long been curious to understand the mysterious process by which, as appears inevitable, savage tribes melt away when forced into prolonged contact with a superior civilisation. But, ignorant of all the languages of South India, I should have relinquished attempt to study the T odas, had 'i not the great good fortune to make the acquaintance of the Reverend friedrich metz, of the Basel Missionary Society, who had spent upwards of twenty years in labours amongst the primi tive tribes forming the inhabitants of the N ilagiris, and who, in addition to being skilled in several Dravi dian dialects, was exceptionally practised in High Kanarese and Tamil. Above all, he was the only European able to speak the obscure Toda tongue.