The Topaz is described as having a colour like a drop of dew on a flower, and its patron deity Jupiter is said to bless the wearer with immense wealth.

Four kinds of Coral are enumerated that will cause evil to the wearer-troubles, grief, disease, and death. There are six kinds of good coral mentioned, according to the colour-that of the beak of a parrot, or of the fruit of various trees-and the wearer of such is promised the pleasures of life, and the accomplishment of his designs.

The blessing of Mars is promised to the wearer of an agate, which blessing is said to ensure wealth and prosperity.

Much might be said regarding superstitious virtues attributed to different varieties of gems in ancient Europe, as well as the various uses to which precious stones have been applied. One might also say something of the various sources from which gems are obtained, as well as give anecdotes of well known stones, and pearls which have acquired celebrity in the history of the world. All this, however, would be beyond the object intended in these sketches. The intention here has been merely to give some account of the personal ornaments in vogue amongst present day Hindus, and the mention that has been made of superstitious notions attached to gems has only been such as seemed to be naturally connected with that subject. The details given in this chapter, have, I think, served to show how strong is the passion for jewels amongst even present day Hindus, and it is not difficult for the thoughtful reader to perceive the evils resulting from this passion-evils that have already been alluded to. One of the most hopeful signs of the times is that thinking Hindus of ability, are venturing to raise their voice against this and other social evils. There is a hope, therefore, that, as reforms have begun in other directions, so, too, something may be done here to contract within legitimate bounds that spirit, which, though innocent in itself, is seen to cause so much evil and loss, when carried to such extremes as have been here alluded to.

CHAPTER XXI.

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS.

समाप्ति.

Action, either mental, verbal, or corporeal, bears good or evil fruit, as itself is good or evil (Manu xx. 3.)

In reviewing the various subjects brought forward in these sketches of every day Hindu life, I am reminded of the title of a certain book published many years ago. If my memory serves me right, that title was- "The Harvest of a quiet eye." I merely make this allusion because those words exactly express the habit of observation of which this small volume is an outcome. Subjects kindred to those which form the theme of these sketches have always had for me a peculiar fascination. In a country like India the objects of interest to the observing mind simply abound on every hand. The Fauna in its countless multitude and diversity attracts most attention from the sport loving European; whilst the Flora in its infinite variety and beauty is an endless source of delight to the Botanist. India has been called the paradise of the Botanist. One may sit down on the green and within one or two square yards gather a delightful miniature bouquet of the most exquisitely beautiful flowers-all most minute in size and yet each a perfect study in itself; whilst on the other hand we may see great forest trees resplendent with a profusion of the most gorgeous bloom perfectly bewildering in its beauty and overpowering with its fragrance. The medical student in search of simples need not go far to fill his wallet with plants possessing every variety of curative quality or the reverse, as the case may be. In a short forenoon he may gather enough to serve as remedies for a good many of the ills that flesh is heir to, or he may on almost any rubbish heap or in any neglected corner collect enough deadly poison to dispose of far more enemies than many a round of shot and shell with all their terrible destructive

power. The Entomologist need not go farther than his own garden, or even than his own dinner table, to find specimeus more than sufficient in number and variety to employ all his leisure. The birds, the reptiles, the shells and the fishes in all their distracting multitude and diversity, invite the attention of the student of nature; indeed to the Naturalist, in the widest meaning of the word, there are endless objects of interest on every hand, turn which way he may. All this, to say nothing of the wide fields for scientific investigation that are here so plentifully opened out to the lover of antiquity—such dry-as-dust matters as Archaeology or Numismatology with many another kindred science-kindred in their connection with antiquity as well as in the fascination their study exercises over some minds. For such, whilst the pursuit of knowledge is under difficulties in England simply from the lack of instances upon which to exercise their faculties, here examples may be found in profusion merely for the seeking of them. I have seen heaps of celts, for instance, accumulated by a collector of such things, and have inspected a freshly opened out Buddhist mound, with the relics of which it had just been rifled; these and such like things enough to excite almost the adoration of some who give their minds to such matters may here be found in plenty by any careful enquirer. Dull indeed must be the mind of that man who can spend much time in such a country without fixing upon something or other to occupy his leisure, and wherewith to form a hobby upon which to exercise all the intellectual power he can spare from his regular and official duties.

For my own part, however, I am inclined to agree with the Poet-philosopher in his dictum that "The proper study of mankind in man," and although there is much that is delightful and profitable in the pursuits above alluded to, forming as they do pleasant and refreshing occupation for hours of relaxation, there is I think if possible more pleasure to be derived from studying the habits and customs in their infinite variety and detail, of the exceedingly interesting people by whom we are surrounded in India. The stranger

on first arriving in the country is apt to be very much interested with the sights and scenes around him— things so foreign to what he has been accustomed to in his own country; but it is astonishing how soon the novelty wears off and how capable one is of getting thoroughly accustomed to such things without in the least knowing any thing as to their origin or meaning. Apart from the pleasure of such a pursuit, there is also much profit to be derived from acquiring a knowledge of the manners and ways of other nations, especially when it is, as in this case, a people with whom we are so intimately connected. Any little trouble is I think amply repaid if by careful enquiry and observation any thing like a correct knowledge can be arrived at with reference to such matters. Speaking as a missionary, I feel it is most important to get oneself acquainted as much as possible with these things; seeing that it is impossible to be thoroughly 'in touch' with a people of whose social and religious habits and customs one may know but little or nothing. To some, the labour of acquiring such information may be somewhat irksome; the result, however, is surely well worth the effort if there be the desire to influence and direct the natives of India. A knowledge of the daily life of the people aids in arriving at more or less correct conclusions as to their modes of thought and motives for action; and it is only with the aid of such knowledge that one can reasonably hope to attain much result in influencing them in such a deeply personal matter as religion.

I confess it is to me a mystery how little the ordinary European in India troubles himself about the every day things connected with Hindu religions and social customs. Even men of thought and culture, who consider no effort too great in the endeavour to acquire correct knowledge concerning the manners and customs of the peoples of antiquity for instance, will be content to go on in a state of profound ignorance as to the habits and modes of thought of those with whom they are brought into daily contact. Probably but comparatively few of the Europeans domiciled of India could give any intelligent account of many in

the every day things alluded to in these pages. Why, for instance, the Hindu wears a few strands of cotton thread over his shoulder and across his chest ; or why he shaves his head leaving a top-knot most carefully preserved; or why, again, he paints those peculiar marks upon his forehead and for what reason they vary amongst different people. If questioned as to the latter he might just give the ordinary European explanation that they are caste marks of some sort or other"-not knowing, and possibly not caring to know, that they have nothing whatever to do with caste. Or again, except certain general and somewhat vague notions, but little is known about such social customs as perpetual widowhood, or the so great desire for a son that one must be adopted at all hazards if nature denies the precious boon. And yet there are reasons for all these things-reasons so important and so binding upon the orthodox Hindu that to neglect them were to imperil, not only his social status, but also the safety of his very soul.

It may be pleaded in excuse that the Hindus themselves really know very little as to the reason why, of by far the most of their customs and ceremonies ; and occasional allusion has been made to this in these chapters. A learned pandit will know all about the rites and ceremonies of his own particular sect, but he will readily express ignorance, an ignorance that is evidently not feigned, of those connected with other branches of the many sided Hindu religion. It seems never to have occurred to him that it would be interesting to examine into those things in which he may not have a personal interest, and he is content to go through life in comparative ignorance of the doings even of his nearest neighbours. This is the case not only with the old fashioned pandit, but even more so with otherwise well informed Hindus of modern education; perhaps this may be because the Indian University has not yet included such matters in its curriculum. Be this as it may, it is a fact that even amongst the educated classes, for we are not here speaking of the illiterate masses, there is a general ignorance concerning the rites and customs