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Concan and Malabar, thus I found it at every court I visited in 

 Guzerat, whether Mahratta or Mahomedan. On the extent of 

 human miser} r under such a dreadful system of government, it is 

 painful and needless to enlarge — it is universal throughout Iiin- 

 dostan ; none attempt to stem the torrent of venality and corrup- 

 tion. The conduct of great and small is influenced by fear, for 

 which Montesquieu assigns sufficient reasons. The more we de- 

 velope oriental courts, the more we are convinced that the beauti- 

 ful animating principle of patriotic virtue is entirely unknown. 



I must on all occasions exempt the great Akber, and his virtu- 

 ous minister Abul Fazel, from general censure. In a former chap- 

 ter I mentioned two Hindoos of liberal sentiments and consider- 

 able acquirements in literature, art, and science. These, and a 

 few similar characters which occasionally occur, form a pleasing 

 contrast to the general picture of the higher orders in India; and 

 indicate, that, among the Hindoos especially, there are minds open 

 to literary and philosophical pursuits, and 1 trust also to the re- 

 ception of truth; to the balmy comforts of that religion which 

 alone produces true happiness in this life, and bliss eternal in that 

 which is to come. Notwithstanding the prejudice of caste and 

 other causes, which it is acknowledged operate powerfully against 

 the general introduction of Christianity, and melioration among 

 the lower classes of Hindoos ; there are instances in every rank, 

 from the haughty brahmin to the poor Chandalah, which prove 

 that a change may be effected, and conversion take place. The 

 attempt has been made and succeeded, and will, I have no doubt, 

 in due time be wisely directed throughout the whole empire of 

 British India. 



