Think of this: "The sweepers cannot be readily coerced, because no Hindoo or Mussulman would do their work to save his life, nor will he pollute himself by beating the refractory scavenger." They certainly do seem to have the whip-hand; it would be difficult to imagine a more impregnable position.

"The vested rights described in the text are so fully recognized in practice that they are frequently the subject of sale or mortgage." Just like a milk-route; or like a London crossing-sweepership.

It is said that the London crossing-sweeper's right to his crossing is recognized by the rest of the guild; that they protect him in its possession; that certain choice crossings are valuable property, and are saleable at high figures.

I have noticed that the man who sweeps in front of the Army and Navy Stores has a wealthy South African aristocratic style about him; and when he is off his guard, he has exactly that look on his face which you always see in the face of a man who has is saving up his daughter to marry her to a duke.
It appears from Sleeman that in India the occupation of elephant-driver is confined to Mohammedans.

I wonder why that is.