Wilson's 'Select Specimens of the Theatre of the Hindoos,' in two volumes, Trubner & Co., 1871.

It may be fairly considered that the courtesan was one of the elements, and an important element too, of early Hindoo society, and that her education and intellect were both superior to that of the women of the household.

Wilson says, "By the Vesya or courtesan, however, we are not to understand a female who has disregarded the obligation of law or the precepts of virtue, but a character reared by a state of manners unfriendly to the admission of wedded females into society, and opening it only at the expense of reputation to women who were trained for association with men by personal and mental acquirements to which the matron was a stranger."] [Footnote 26: According to this description a Pithamarda would be a sort of professor of all the arts, and as such received as the friend and confidant of the citizens.] [Footnote 27: A seat in the form of the letter T.] [Footnote 28: The Vita is supposed to represent somewhat the character of the Parasite of the Greek comedy.

It is possible that he was retained about the person of the wealthy and dissipated as a kind of private instructor, as well as an entertaining companion.] [Footnote 29: Vidushaka is evidently the buffoon and jester.

Wilson says of him that he is the humble companion, not the servant, of a prince or man of rank, and it is a curious peculiarity that he is always a Brahman.