424 TRICHINOPOLY. Chap. XXV. 



tempt,^ Thus, if the Shanars and Pariars insist upon their 

 own caste privileges, it is difficult to see why they should 

 be permitted to infringe upon those of the castes above 

 them ; and it would seem that a feeling of content and 

 satisfaction with our rule would be best promoted by ejisur- 

 ing to all classes of the community the exclusive enjoyment 

 of their own peculiar usages and privileges. 



Caste is one among many instances of the peculiar exagge- 

 rations in which the Hindu mind loves to indulge. The social 

 distinctions which prevail in other countries are represented 

 in India by this institution, in which those distinctions are, not 

 altogether illogically, carried to an extreme j)oint. Caste may 

 be modified and rendered less harsh in its general outline ; 

 but it will never cease to exist. The Protestant missionaries, 

 of course, declare war to the knife against it, as a system of 

 falsehood and deceit, and an absurdity contrary both to reason 

 and revelation. This may be true, as well as that Brahmins 

 get drunk, and eat asafoetida-cakes in which buffalo flesh 

 forms an ingredient, without losing their caste ; but missionary 

 denunciations of caste absurdity, and exposures of Brah- 

 minical irregularities, are not likely to make the slightest 

 impression on the minds of a people with whom caste dis- 

 tinctions are hallowed by immemorial usage, and bound up 

 in every act of their Kves. The favourite missionary receipt 

 is, therefore, to deprive Brahmins of their Enam or rent-free 

 lands, to induce Government entirely to disavow caste, to 

 put an end to all caste distinctions in jails, and to raise the 

 Pariars and Chucklers from their degradation.^ A very 

 summary plan no doubt, but as impracticable as it would be 

 impolitic and unjust. 



After a most delightful visit at ]\Iadura, I started for 



' Caldwell's Oomparaiive i3yai'<dtaw I - Proceedings of the l^unihlmliaMis- 

 (iiammar. Appendix, p. 491. | sionary Conference, 185S, p. 283. 



