GHAZIPORE. 
81 
why such observances have been established by holy 
law. If they have been ordered, they must be infalli- 
bly wise and salutary, and are therefore performed 
without hesitation, whether the tendency be proved to 
be good or evil. 
But while the tolerant Hindoo is careful to avoid a 
slight or passing offence even to the sacred things of 
an inimicable faith, he may at the same moment, with 
an easy conscience, be practising and encouraging the 
most demoralising and debasing acts ; his inward ease 
and satisfaction depending on falsehood rather than on 
truth, on chicanery rather than on justice or innocence ; 
virtuous independence is utterly lost, perjury and every 
species of corruption may be indulged in, so long as 
they are not contrary to the exact letter of the law ; the 
most daring crime, the most profligate oppression may 
be practised without remorse, without fear of public 
execration or retribution, if the authority of the 
Shastras, the Vedans, or the Poorans, can be brought 
to support it ; at the same time that the most trifling- 
breach of morality will disquiet and render miserable 
the unfortunate aggressor, if the laws have forbidden 
it. With the Hindoos, two things are infallible and 
not to be resisted; the commands of their Shastras, 
and the commands of their chiefs. 
