74 A BOOK-LOVER S HOLIDAYS 



blanket and basket weaving, or lace-knitting 

 and not to replace it by servile and mechanical 

 copying. This is only to apply to the Indian a 

 principle which ought to be recognized among 

 all our people. A great art must be living, must 

 spring from the soul of the people; if it rep 

 resents merely a copying, an imitation, and if 

 it is confined to a small caste, it cannot be 

 great. 



Of course all Indians should not be forced 

 into the same mould. Some can be made farm 

 ers; others mechanics; yet others have the 

 soul of the artist. Let us try to give each his 

 chance to develop what is best in him. More 

 over, let us be wary of interfering overmuch 

 with either his work or his play. It is mere 

 tyranny, for instance, to stop all Indian dances. 

 Some which are obscene, or which are dangerous 

 on other grounds, must be prohibited. Others 

 should be permitted, and many of them en 

 couraged. Nothing that tells for the joy of life, 

 in any community, should be lightly touched. 



A few Indians may be able to turn them 

 selves into ordinary citizens in a dozen years. 

 Give these exceptional Indians every chance; 

 but remember that the majority must change 

 gradually, and that it will take generations to 

 make the change complete. Help them to 



