him, the omission reflects seriously upon either his industry or his candour. It is to be hoped that they escaped his research, and it is possible that the early pages of the history were written prior to the date of the parliamentary investigation, by which the opinions referred to were called forth. In the evidence given before parliament in 1813, many of the witnesses were interrogated respecting the Hindu character; the answers were very remarkable, both for the opinions which were uttered, and the persons by whom they were expressed. To a chapter like the present they furnish a wholesome correction, and they deserve to be perpetuated along with the history of British India. They were the following:

Mr. Græme Mercer, who, during a period of twenty-five years, had filled important political stations in distant parts of India, thus pronounces the result of his experience. "It is difficult to form a general character of the natives of an empire which extends from near the equinoctial line to thirty-one degrees of north latitude : if called upon for a general characteristic of the natives of that empire, I would say, that they are mild in their dispositions, polished in their general manners; in their domestic relations kind and affectionate-submissive to authority, and peculiarly attached to their religious tenets, and to the observance of the rites and ceremonies prescribed by those tenets. In referring to any distinction in this general characteristic, I should say, that the inhabitants of the northern provinces of Hindustan, were of a more bold and decided character, and less submissive to authority than those of the southern provinces, but equally attached to the observance of their religious rites and ceremonies."

Captain Sydenham, who had also held high political appointments, thus answers the question of the committee, regarding the moral character of the Hindoos. "It is really very difficult to give the character of so large a portion of the human race, who, although they possess many qualities in common, are of course distinguished by strong shades of difference in different parts of India, arising from the climate under which they live; the government to which they are subject; the distinction of castes which prevails more in some parts of India than in others; their habits and occupations, and other circumstances, which in all countries produce a difference in the moral character of men- -To define the moral character of so extensive a nation within the

compass of any answer which it is in my power to give to the committee, will be of course extremely difficult, but I think the general character of the Hindoo is submissive, docile, sober, inoffensive, as long as his religious prejudices and habits are not violated: capable of great attachment and loyalty, as long as they are well treated by their governors and masters; quick in apprehension, intelligent, active, generally honest, and performing the duties of charity, benevolence, and filial affection with as much sincerity and regularity as any nation with which. I am acquainted."

Sir John Malcolm speaks in similar terms as the preceding, of a difficulty which never occurs to the calumniators of the people of India, that of giving a general character of the dif ferent races subject to the British government, who vary as much, if not more, than the nations of Europe do from each other. The people of Bengal he describes as weak in body and timid in mind, and those below Calcutta, to be in character and appearance among the lowest of our Hindu subjects, but "from the moment you enter the district of Bahar, the Hindoo inhabitants are a race of men, generally speaking, not more distinguished by their lofty stature and robust frame, than they are for some of the finest qualities of the mind-they are brave, generous, humane, and their truth is as remarkable as their courage." At a subsequent examination he bears witness to the favourable character of the natives generally, for veracity, fidelity, and honour. "I have hardly ever known," he observes, "where a person did understand the language, or where a calm communication was made to a native of India, through a well-informed and trust-worthy medium, that the result did not prove, that what had at first been stated as falsehood, had either proceeded from fear, or from misapprehension. I by no means wish to state, that our Indian subjects are more free from this vice than other nations that occupy a nearly equal condition in society, but I am positive that they are not more addicted to untruth. With respect to the honour of our native subjects, it is, as that feeling is understood in this country, chiefly cherished by the military tribes, among whom I have known innumerable instances of its being carried to a pitch that would be considered in England more fit for the page of a romance than a history: with regard to their fidelity, I think, as far as my knowledge extends, there are, generally speaking,

no race of men more to be trusted- -I should state, that there are few large communities in the world, whose dispositions are better, or (speaking to the virtues described in the question) more praise-worthy: it may also be stated as a general proof of their possessing those qualities, the attachment which almost all European masters who reside in India feel for their native servants. This feeling amongst those who understand the language, and who are of good temper and character, is almost without an exception."

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Sir Thomas Munro, when asked if he thought the civilization of the Hindoos would be promoted by the trade with England being thrown open, replied, "I do not exactly understand what is meant by the civilization' of the Hindus. In the higher branches of science, in the knowledge of the theory and practice of good government, and in an education, which by banishing prejudice and superstition-opens the mind to receive instruction of every kind from every quarter, they are much inferior to Europeans. But if a good system of agriculture, unrivalled manufacturing skill, a capacity to produce whatever can contribute to either convenience or luxury, schools established in every village for teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic, the general practice of hospitality and charity amongst each other, and above all, a treatment of the female sex, full of confidence, respect, and delicacy, are among the signs which denote a civilized people-then the Hindoos are not inferior to the nations of Europe, and if civilization is to become an article of trade between the two countries, I am convinced that this country will gain by the import cargo."

A still more impressive reply was made by Warren Hastings. Being asked if he could give the committee any general description of the national character of the people of India, as contrasted with that of the English, he replied, In answering to this question, it will not be easy to divest my mind of certain circumstances connected with it, which do not relevantly pertain to the question itself. Great pains have been taken to inculcate into the public mind, an opinion, that the native Indians are in a state of complete moral turpitude, and live in the constant and unrestrained commission of every vice and crime that can disgrace human nature. I affirm, by the oath that I have taken, that this description of them is untrue, and wholly unfounded. What I have to add must be taken as my belief, but a belief

impressed by a longer and more intimate acquaintance with the people than has fallen to the lot of many of my countrymen. In speaking of the people, it is necessary to distinguish the Hindoos, who form the great portion of the people of India, from the Mohammedans, who are intermixed with them, but generally live in separate communities; the former are gentle, benevolent, more susceptible of gratitude for kindness shown. them than prompted to vengeance for wrongs inflicted, and as exempt from the worst propensities of human passion as any people upon the face of the earth; they are faithful and affecționate in service, and submissive to legal authority; they are superstitious, it is true, but they do not think ill of us for not thinking as they do. Gross as the modes of their worship are, the precepts of their religion are wonderfully fitted to promote the best ends of society, its peace and good order; and even from their theology, arguments may be drawn to illustrate and support the most refined mysteries of our own." He then alludes to their unanimous and voluntary testimony in his own behalf when known to be the object of an iniquitous prosecution in England, and justly observes, "this effort of theirs affords as strong a proof as can be afforded or conceived, that they themselves possess in a very high degree the principles of gratitude, affection, honour, and justice." Minutes of Evidence before Committees of both Houses of Parliament, March and April, 1813.

To the high authorities here cited, no additional testimony can be required; but the opinions they have placed on record, have been since repeated by other witnesses, all of a very different stamp from the flippant travellers and prejudiced missionaries upon whom Mr. Mill depends, and who have contemplated Indian manners and the character of the people under very different aspects, and with very various qualifications. The opinions of Col. Vans Kennedy, a distinguished scholar in both Mohammedan and Hindu literature, and a man of extraordinary reading and research, have been already cited, as given in a paper in the Bombay Transactions, written for the express purpose of exposing Mr. Mill's mistakes. Of a no less active and cultivated mind was the lamented Bishop Heber, and he repeatedly bears favourable testimony to the manners and character of the people of India. "To say that the Hindoos or Mussulmans are deficient in any essential feature of a civi

lized people, is an assertion which I can scarcely suppose to be made by any who have lived with them; their manners are at least as pleasing and courteous as those in the corresponding stations of life among ourselves." Journal ii. 382. “I do not by any means assent to the pictures of depravity and general worthlessness which some have drawn of the Hindoos. They are decidedly by nature, a mild, pleasing, and intelligent race; sober, parsimonious; and where an object is held out to them, most industrious and persevering." Ibid. ii. 329. "Of the people, so far as their natural character is concerned, I have been led to form on the whole a very favourable opinion. They have unhappily, many of the vices, arising from slavery, from an unsettled state of society, and immoral and erroneous systems of religion. But they are men of high and gallant courage, courteous, intelligent, and most eager after knowledge and improvement; with a remarkable aptitude for the abstract sciences, geometry, astronomy, &c.; and for the imitative arts, painting and sculpture. They are sober, industrious, dutiful to their parents, and affectionate to their children; of tempers almost uniformly gentle and patient, and more easily affected by kindness and attention to their wants and feelings than almost any men I have met with." Ibid. ii. 369. And in his charge to his clergy at Calcutta in 1824, he observes, "I have found in India, a race of gentle and temperate habits, with a natural talent and acuteness beyond the ordinary level of mankind." A third witness is of a very different description from all who preceded him; a Hindu, one, the great object of whose life was to elevate the moral and intellectual character of his countrymen, and who was little inclined to veil or palliate their faults. Rammohun Roy's opinions on the moral condition of the people of India, are thus recorded in the first appendix to the Third Report of the House of Commons, 1831, p. 293, and they are well entitled to consideration for their modest, moderate, and candid spirit.

The question put to him was, "will you state your general views with respect to the moral condition of the people?"-to which he answered; "a great variety of opinions on this subject has been already afloat in Europe, for some centuries past, particularly in recent times; some favourable to the people of India, some against them. Those Europeans who, on their arrival in India, happened to meet with persons whose conduct