32 



forward what was .originally written among those very brahmins 

 who asked the questions; connected with the observations of 

 maturer experience, and a retrospective view of later occurrences 

 in England. 



Although the generality of the brahmins at Dhuboy and Chan- 

 dode were more zealous than any 1 conversed with in other parts 

 of India, some of them were inquisitive about the worship of 

 christians; of which they had conceived a faint idea from Hindoo 

 pilgrims, or from slight observations made at our settlements dur- 

 ing their own travels. Similar inquiries have been put to me by 

 intelligent Indians of other castes who understood our books, and 

 conversed in English; men of different religious professions, Hin- 

 doos, Mahomedans, and Parsees; especially by Muncher Jevan, 

 a Parsee merchant at Bombay; a character well known, and uni- 

 versally esteemed for integrity, urbanity, and good sense. 



These people, in their own artless, expressive style, often asked 

 me this important question, " Master, when an Englishman dies 

 does he think he shall go to his God?" My answer in the affirma- 

 tive generally produced a reply to this effect : " Your countrymen, 

 master, seem to take very little trouble about that business; they 

 choose a smooth path, and scatter roses on every side. Other 

 nations are guided by strict rules and solemn injunctions in those 

 serious engagements, where the English seem thoughtless and un- 

 concerned. The Hindoos constantly perform the ceremonies and 

 sacrifices at the Dewal ; the Mahomedans go through their stated 

 prayers and ablutions at the Mosques; the Parsees suffer not the 

 sacred fire to be extinguished, nor neglect to worship in the tem- 

 ple. You call yourselves Christians, so do the Roman Catholics, 



