PARTITION CONTROLLING ISOLATION. 143 



2. Atitonomic Partition Produces Autonomic Isolation. 



In the evolution of the European races of man the tendencies which 

 break down ancient segregation, whether resting on habitudes or 

 aptitudes, are so strong that it is difficult for us to apprehend the 

 conditions of society in which segregative tendencies are in full force. 

 The caste system of India not only maintains with absolute strictness 

 the old barriers based on traditions received from remote genera- 

 tions, but tends to create new divisions, resting at first on industrial 

 habits, but in time reinforced by separate social customs, separate 

 ideals, and separate methods of training, and are finally intrenched 

 behind restrictions forbidding marriage with those who were once 

 considered as belonging to the same caste. Professor Reinsch states* 

 that there are no less than 3,000 castes in India; and missionaries 

 who have studied the institutions of the country most carefully assure 

 us that if a caste is defined as an intermarrying group that is completely 

 excluded from marriage with all other groups, then the castes of 

 India number many thousands. Of the Brahmins, who are considered 

 the highest caste of India, there are over 1,800 such sub-castes. 



Rev. J. P. Jones, D. D., of Pasumalai, South India, informs me that 

 during his residence in Southern India a branch of a certain barber 

 caste has taken up the trade of weaving ; and feeling that their occu- 

 pation, which is being transmitted from father to son, sets them above 

 the barber caste, they are now beginning to require that the son of a 

 barber desiring to marry the daughter of a weaver must give up bar- 

 bering and become a weaver. 



The one remaining step required for the full establishing of the new 

 caste will probably come within a few years, and will be the objecting 

 to additions to the guild from those who have not been born within 

 its ranks. Though railroads and other influences from Europe tend 

 toward freer intercourse, these new castes are struggling into exist- 

 ence ; and the tendency is to fortify the spirit of segregation by refus- 

 ing to eat or have close fellowship with any outside of the caste that 

 has thus recently come into being. 



The caste system as developed in India is as unlike the democratic 

 conservatism of China as it is opposed to the progressive individual- 

 ism of European races. It may be doubted whether the caste system 

 of India can ever develop into a truly progessive system. But the 

 essentiallv democratic life of China stands in a verv different relation 



j -i 



to the progressive element of European civilization. In innate racial 

 qualities no people can surpass the Chinese ; and their vitality and 

 power of adaptation is such that they seem to be equally fitted for suc- 



* See "The Forum" for June, 1901. 



