2 41 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
almost divine, and have elevated to the rank of a 
saint. The credulous multitude, without thought or 
question, blindly followed your example ; and, 
without any knowledge of the object of its adoration, 
ran with you into the excess of fanatical zeal, in 
favour of an abject goatherd, low-born, uneducated, 
well-nigh a fool. From this convincing instance all 
the world must be satisfied that conventional insti- 
tutions are matters of example and habit, varnished 
over with prejudice ; and that it is not so much the 
absurd usages of any country which should incur our 
ridicule, as the persons who blindly practise them/* 
Krishnaraia, like a wise sovereign, took in good 
part the pointed and ingenious conceit which Apa-ji 
had so boldly adopted, to enlighten his mind upon a 
matter so important and abstruse ; and he beheld his 
excellent buhkshi with renewed favour, after he had 
recovered from his surprise. Moreover, he con- 
tinued ever after to regard him as his most faithful 
subject and friend. Yet, without doubt, should 
another goatherd have been presented to him in the 
disguise of a Jogi, the farce would have been 
repeated. 
THE END. 
LONDON; 
BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHJTEPRIARS. 
