^50 CALCUTTA. 
continue in that situation in life to which he is born, and no exertion 
of talent can raise him one step beyond it: lie therefore looks with 
perfect apathy on the political intrigues of the higher orders, and 
dreads a revolution as productive of great personal distress, and as 
putting to ha:zard his life and little property. But were the path of 
ambition laid open to him by that equalization which would be the 
consequence of the destruction of casts, and the general reception 
of Christianity ; talents would have their free career, and every 
man of spirit would consider himself as the establisher of his own 
fortune. Is it credible, then, that in such an event, so many 
millions of natives would submit to be governed by a few thousand 
Europeans, to whom they could feel no natural attachment, or 
obligation of allegiance ? 
Upon the whole, I am fully persuaded that the first step to be 
taken is that of rendering our own religion respectable in the eyes 
of our Indian subjects, by an establishment of greater splendour and 
dignity, and especially by a better choice and more vigilant in- 
spection of the regular clergy ; and that Government should 
studiously avoid interesting itself in the conversion of the natives, 
since it is impossible that they should not connect in their minds 
the zeal of proselyting, exerted by those in power, with a plan of 
coercion and intolerance. If placing in the hands of the Hindoos 
translations of the Scriptures into the languages of the country, will 
not induce them to make unfavourable comparisons between our 
lives and our doctrines, and consequently expose us to contempt, 
no objection can be made to such a dissemination of the principles 
of true religion. To its silent operation the cause of Christianity 
should be left, and who will not rejoice in its success? 
