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chief attention. It is notwithstanding a just remark of the Hindoo 

 women, who are often mothers at twelve years of age, and wrinkled 

 before they are thirty, that " they are flowers of too short a dura- 

 tion not to be delicate, and too delicate to be lasting." 



Although I am so frequently under the necessity of reproach- 

 ing the corrupt zemindars, I have much greater pleasure in bearing- 

 witness to many amiable traits in the Hindoo character; who, 

 notwithstanding the natural prejudices of caste, religion, and habit, 

 generally shewed an affectionate and grateful attachment to their 

 English employers. Yet so contradictory is their character, that 

 superstition leads them to most extraordinary deviations, from 

 every thing that is humane, gentle, and praise-worthy. As already 

 observed, the brahmin who shudders at killing an insect, feels no 

 compunction at pounding a brother to death in an oil-mill because 

 he differs from him in religious opinions. As a late traveller re- 

 marks, " there is no end to the delusions of superstition, nor any 

 bounds to the cruelties to which it can instigate people the most 

 gentle and timid with which history has made us acquainted. 

 Some are persuaded to regain their lost rank in society by precipi- 

 tating themselves naked from a great height upon spikes and edged, 

 weapons ; others pierce their skin with a hot iron ; in short, cruel- 

 ties too horrid for recital, and too extravagant to obtain belief, 

 daily provoke our pity and indignation, amidst a people famed 

 for humanity in every part of the world. In almost every action 

 of his life, the Hindoo is under the immediate influence of his 

 superstition : his prayers are offerings to his gods; his purifications 

 and ablutions in the river; his dressing and eating his victuals; the 

 objects which he touches; the companions with whom he asso- 



