308 



Such is the decision of Sir William Jones, one of ihc most 

 amiable benevolent men that ever existed; partial to oriental man- 

 ners, literature, and poetry, from early youth; and formed, in all 

 respects, for those researches which were his grand pursuit in 

 India. Lord Teignmouth, a character most truly amiable and 

 respectable, from a personal knowledge of the Hindoos, says, 

 " Individuals in India are often irritated by petty provocations, 

 to the commission of acts which no provocation can justify ; the 

 result of vindictive pride, and ungoverned violence of temper." 

 On a former occasion I mentioned Governor Hoi well's decided 

 opinion that " the Gentoos are as degenerate, crafty, superstitious, 

 litigious, and wretched a people as any in the known world ; and 

 especially in the common run of brahmins." 



A more accurate observer, or a more upright judge than Sir 

 James Mackintosh has, perhaps, never appeared in any country. 

 Part of his charge to the grand jury of Bombay has been intro- 

 duced; the following observation must not be omitted: "The 

 accomplished and justly celebrated Sir William Jones, who carried 

 with him to India a prejudice in favour of the natives, which he 

 naturally imbibed in the course of his studies, and which in him, 

 though not perfectly rational, Avas neither unamiable nor ungrace- 

 ful. Even he, after long judicial experience, reluctantly confesses 

 their general depravity; and especially the prevalence of perjury, 

 which is perhaps a more certain sign of the general dissolution of 

 moral principle, than other more daring and ferocious crimes, 

 much more horrible to the imagination." Upon a further ac- 

 quaintance with the Indian character, this excellent recorder adds, 

 " I trust we shall one day have the unspeakable satisfaction of re- 



