PREFACE. XI 



is to be hoped, evil seldom to be dreaded, &quot;if the 

 counsel be light and weak, it will be reproved by 

 time : if it be of weight, by time it will be settled 

 and authorized (u)&quot; 



II. ANTIPATHY OF IGNORANCE. 



The antipathy of ignorance is of a different na 

 ture. It originates in the attachment to exist 

 ing customs, merely because they exist. It is the 

 attachment of Mahometans to opium and to two 

 wives : and of Christians to alcohol and to one 

 wife. It is the attachment of Christians and Ma 

 hometans to the custom, that, when the father dies, 

 the mother shall protect their children. It is the 

 attachment of the Hindoos to the custom that, upon 

 the death of the father, the widow shall burn her 

 self at his funeral, and leave their children orphans. 

 It is the attachment of the peasants, who, in a par 

 ticular district in Italy, loaded their panniers with 

 vegetables on one side, and balanced the opposite 

 pannier by filling it with stones : and when a tra 

 veller pointed out the advantage to be gained by 

 loading both panniers with vegetables ; he was an 

 swered, &quot; that their forefathers, from time immemo 

 rial, had so prepared their produce for market ; 

 that they were very wise and good men, and that a 

 stranger shewed very little understanding or de 

 cency who interfered in the established customs of a 

 country, r&quot; 



(u) See note K at the end, p. [xix.] 



