The law then proceeds to describe the punishments which the gods would inflict upon false witnesses; but, curiously enough, allows false witness to be given, from a benevolent motive, in order to save an innocent man from a tyrant.  This is called “the venial sin of benevolent falsehood.”  The book then proceeds to describe weights and measures, and the rate of usury, which is put down as five percent.  It forbids compound interest.  The law of deposits occupies a large space, as in all Eastern countries, where investments are difficult.  A good deal is said about the wages of servants, especially of those hired to keep cattle, and their responsibilities.  The law of slander is carefully laid down.  Crimes of violence are also minutely described, and here the Lex Talionis comes in.  If a man strikes a human being or an animal so as to inflict much pain, he shall be struck himself in the same way.  A man is allowed to correct with a small stick his wife, son, or servant, but not on the head or any noble part of the body.  The Brahmans, however, are protected by special laws.

   “Never shall the king flay a Brahman, though convicted of all possible
   crimes:  let him banish the offender from his realm, but with all his
   property secure and his body unhurt.”

   “No greater crime is known on earth than flaying a Brahman; and the
   king, therefore, must not even form in his mind the idea of killing a
   priest.”

The Ninth Book relates to women, to families, and to the law of castes.  It states that women must be kept in a state of dependence.

   “Their fathers protect them in childhood; their husbands protect them
   in youth; their sons protect them in age.  A woman is never fit for
   independence.”

It is the duty of men to watch and guard women, and very unfavorable opinions are expressed concerning the female character.

   “Women have no business with the text of the Veda; this is fully
   settled; therefore having no knowledge of expiatory texts, sinful women
   must be as foul as falsehood itself.  This is a fixed law.”

It is, however, stated that good women become like goddesses, and shall be joined with their husbands in heaven; and that a man is only perfect when he consists of three persons united,—­his wife, himself, and his son.  Manu also attributes to ancient Brahmans a maxim almost verbally the same as that of the Bible, namely, “The husband is even one person with his wife.”  Nothing is said by Manu concerning the cremation of widows, but, on the other hand, minute directions are given for the behavior of widows during their life.  Directions are also given concerning the marriage of daughters and sons and their inheritance of property.  The rest of the book is devoted to a further description of crimes and punishments.

The Tenth Book relates to the mixed classes and times of distress.