LAW AND POLITICS. 193 



Caste. 



So far as the distinction of caste checks progres- 

 sive improvement, and permanently degrades a large 

 portion of the people, it is injurious to society ; but 

 so far as they perpetuate the arts, and tend to pre- 

 vent further deterioration, as they repress irregular 

 passions, and promote tranquillity and subordination, 

 their influence is beneficial. 



In a country and climate pre-disposed to improve- 

 ment, the shackles of caste must be a curse, but 

 where retrogression of intellect is much more to be 

 apprehended, they are decidedly useful. Hindostan 

 has hitherto belonged to the last description of 

 nations, and has consequently been upheld in the 

 scale of civilization by the doctrine of caste ; at pre- 

 sent its destiny is entirely altered, and it may be ex- 

 pected the Brahminical system will be gradually 

 relaxed, and at last, whether for the better or the 

 worse, disappear. A great error, however, may be 

 committed by unduly accelerating this event, or 

 attempting prematurely to overthrow an ancient sys-< 

 tern, before the people are prepared for the change.* 



Ferintosh Whiskey. 



The word Ferintosh signifies Thane's land, it hav- 

 ing been part of the Thanedom. of Cawdor, (Mac- 

 beth's) or Calder. 



The barony of Ferintosh belonged to the Forbes's 

 of Culloden, and contained about 1800 arable acres. 

 All barley produced on this estate was privileged to 

 be converted into whiskey, duty free; the natural 

 consequence of which was, that more whiskey was 

 distilled in Ferintosh than in all the rest of Scotland. 



* Without a hereditary nobility, wealthy and independent land 

 proprietors, and an elevated and intelligent hierarchy, knowledge 

 cannot accumulate ; nothing is permanently added to the prior 

 stock, which is the natural check to misgovernment. 

 O 



