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hare existed in their golden age, that age is long past; like other 

 eras of the same description it exists only in poetical fictions and 

 fabulous legends : or, if there is truth in those ancient Hindoo 

 annals, the cruelties of mahomedan invaders have obliterated it 

 in seas of blood, flowing in a greater or less degree through many 

 centuries. Since the death of Aurungzebe and the dismember- 

 ment of the Mogul empire, the peaceful Hindoos have been little 

 benefited by the usurpations of Hyder Ally, or any of the petty 

 despots called nabobs ; nor are they rendered happier by the con- 

 quests of the Mahrattas, who, at least, equal the mahomedans in 

 rapacity and crueUy. Under all, the system of oppression has 

 been invariably adopted. Let British India boast of a mild, free, 

 uniform, and stable government ; let its delegated rulers shew by 

 their religious, moral, and political conduct, that they are them- 

 selves actuated by the religion, morality, and policy which they 

 wish to enforce — a religion of love and mercy, of inward purity 

 and heartfelt delight; a religion, which having little to do with 

 types and shadows, dwells in the heart, and influences the con- 

 duct. With such examples and such an influence, under the bless- 

 ing of Him by whom kings reign and princes decree justice, pos- 

 terity will behold a wonderful change. They will see that the 

 Hindoos are not so rivetled to the prejudices of caste and super- 

 stitious ceremonies as to refuse the proffered blessings of liberty, 

 protection, and peace. Let a wise administration remove igno- 

 rance and vice, and individual example exhibit the perfection of 

 British virtue and Christian piety, and they will "see the wilderness 

 and the solitary place be glad, and the desert rejoice and blossom 

 as the rose: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto thee; the 



