THE GANGES. 
99 
to them. When they approach almost to a point of 
contact, the good frequently imbibes the taint of the 
evil., until they finally merge in one. The fastidious 
mercy of the Hindoo, which is carried to such a pitch 
of extravagance, save in observing the ordinances of 
his sanguinary ritual, is so microscopic, if I may be 
allowed the term, that he would shrink from destroy- 
ing the most noxious reptile, or even the minutest ani- 
malcule which floats in the mote of a sunbeam, were 
he conscious of extinguishing animal life ; and yet 
there is not a more cold-hearted villain alive than 
your merciful Hindoo. He would smile at the death- 
pang of a stranger to his idols ; he would exult at the 
most horrible torture that could be inflicted upon one 
who denied the supremacy of Brahma, the judgments 
of Siva, and the avatars* of Yeeshno. He is only 
the most civilized of savages. 
As we proceeded up the river from Rajemahl the 
Colgong hills were exceedingly beautiful. On both 
sides the country appeared to be well cultivated, 
while the number of boats perpetually passing up and 
down upon the broad bosom of the Ganges reminded 
us of the parent stream of our own dear country, 
which can only vie with it as a commercial river, for 
in every other respect it sinks into comparative insig- 
nificance before this queen of inland waters. The 
current was unusually strong for some time after we 
left our last halting-place, and the stream so tor- 
tuous, that we had no little difficulty in tracking round 
the curvatures which the channel here presents. Our 
progress being very slow, we had a full opportunity of 
* Incarnations. 
