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the Hindoos, and the enlightened philosophy of Europe; the dis- 

 cussion might be extended over an ample and beautiful field ; but 

 I must return to the anecdote which caused the digression. After 

 a full display of the wonders produced by the new apparatus, the 

 English gentleman, instead of seeing his friend delighted, ob- 

 served him to be unusually thoughtful, and at length he silently 

 withdrew. At his next visit he requested the gentleman would 

 sell him the microscope; to this he objected, observing that it was 

 a present from a friend in Europe, not to be replaced, and while 

 in his possession would afford them a mutual gratification. The 

 brahmin offered him a very large sum of money, or any Indian 

 commodity of equal value, in hopes of obtaining it, without effect; 

 at last the gentleman, overcome by incessant importunity at every 

 repeated visit, presented him with the microscope. A momentary 

 gleam of joy flashed across the brahmin's countenance on obtain- 

 ing possession of the object he had so ardently desired. They 

 were then in a veranda overlooking a garden, with some kind of 

 artificial rock-work composed of flints and rough stones; from 

 which the brahmin, grasping the instrument, descended with a 

 quicker motion than is customary with his caste into the garden; 

 where, seizing a large stone, he laid the microscope upon the lowest 

 step of the veranda, and instantaneously smashed it to pieces before 

 his astonished friend could prevent it. He flew into a violent passion, 

 and in his heat upbraided the brahmin with ingratitude, ignorance, 

 and fanaticism. As usual with his caste, he bore it all patiently, 

 and respectfully withdrew, saying when he was cool he would pay 

 him a visit, and explain his reasons; justification was deemed im- 

 possible. The brahmin returning a few days afterwards, met with 



