and subsequently Collector, of Tinnevelly. When he was Magistrate of Trichinopoly, a Brahmin was condemned to die, and he, ex officio, had to see the sentence carried into effect. It was the first instance of the kind that had occurred at that Station; and all the Europeans there were of opinion, that the populace would not allow the man to be executed, and would rescue him by force, if the attempt were made. When Mr. Young expressed his determination to do his duty, the Commanding Officer wished to support him with a strong escort of soldiers; but this he declined, thinking it of importance to let the natives see that he reposed confidence in his own Peons. He requested, however, that, in the event of a tumult, the military might be prepared to assist in its suppression. The Brahmin was led out in the presence of a vast concourse of people; from whom not a murmur was heard, while preparations were making for his execution, or at the moment of his being launched into eternity: and when the awful scene was closed, they quietly dispersed.

The aversion of the Brahmins to mingle with inferior castes is well known, and was long considered unconquerable. But, for some years past, they have enlisted into our

native battalions, and stand in the line, or march indiscriminately with "vile Pariahs" (as the Abbé Dubois designates them), and even with Chucklers (workers in leather), who are some degrees below the Pariah.

By entering our army, they make another compromise of their ancient prejudices. It is contrary to their superstitions, for any Hindoos, except those of the lowest castes, to use the flesh or skin of any animal: and to have done so formerly, a man would have lost caste. But the whole of our Seapoys, who are composed of all ranks, wear the belts, cartridge-box, bayonet-case, sandals, &c. which are all made of leather. Indeed, many private natives are now accustomed to wear leathern sandals and shoes. A short time previously to my leaving India, I accompanied my Moonshees, one evening, to the door; and, while they were putting on their shoes, desired to know of what they were made. Of cow's hide," was the reply. I affected to startle with surprise, and asked how they could be guilty of such sacrilege: to which they replied, with a smile, “ When we know a little more of you" (meaning European Gentlemen), "we shall lay aside all these notions."

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Till within these few years, none but low

caste Hindoos would embark on board ship: but now, the Seapoys are transported across the ocean, to any distance to which their services may be required, without any objection being expressed on their part, and, on the part of Government, with perfect indifference as to their distinction of caste. And when they return from these expeditions, they are received again by their friends, without the slightest hesitation.

For a long time, the Seapoys refused to wear an uniformity of dress, until it was thought almost dangerous to propose it. But the late Lieutenant-General, Sir Henry Cosby, in the early part of his military career in South India, succeeded in prevailing upon them to receive the uniform which has continued to be worn by them to the present day*.

Numerous other instances could I give, in proof that the Hindoo's "prejudices" are not "insurmountable ;" particularly, as in the Seapoy's case, when his interest is concerned. But probably the reader will begin to think me prolixt. Trifling as some of these cases

* Vide East-India Military Calendar.

+ For arguments of greater weight in proof of the practicability of overcoming "the prejudices" &c. of the Hindoos, vide Lord Teignmouth's "Considerations" &c.; wherein it is proved,

"that

may appear to him, yet the whole system of Hindooism is composed of trifles and every one acquainted with the importance which they still attach to prejudices and customs equally insignificant, will acknowledge, that there is nothing whatever in their civil or religious predilections, from which they may not be expected, with the same facility, and with as little danger to our Eastern Dominion, to deviate, when the moral state of European Society in India shall improve, and the natives become better acquainted with our scientific and literary productions.

I shall dismiss this part of the question with a reply to what the Abbé Dubois seems to consider an unanswerable objection against every attempt to interfere with the long-established practices of the Hindoo. It is in the case "of the burning of the Hindoo Widows on the pile of their deceased husbands." This he calls a "stale subject!!" So is that of the Slave Trade. And many of the advocates for this abominable traffic would gladly

"that millions of Hindoos have been converted to the Mahomedan Faith; and that hundreds of thousands have embraced the doctrines of Christianity”—(viz. within the communion of the Syrian Church, in Travancore; the Roman-Catholic Church, in various parts of India; and the Protestant Church, in South India and Ceylon: (pp. 22-28.) Of these Christian Converts, I shall have frequent occasion to speak in the sequel.

join the Abbé in endeavouring to pour contempt upon the question so odious to their respective feelings-(feelings! did I say? Can such men possess feelings that are not degrading to human-nature?)-and persuade us to abandon the "subject," because it is "stale!" If this be argument, then I demand of the Abbé, upon the plea of consistency alone, the abandonment of his outcry against every interference with the customs of India, however inhuman or absurd: for WHAT Subject can be more stale than this!

This objection might be confidently left to be answered by the sympathies of our common nature. I pray to Almighty God, never so to abandon Christians of the West to the prince of darkness, as to permit him to extinguish every spark of humanity that yet glows in our bosoms! While the blood of so many victims to Eastern Superstition calls aloud to Heaven for pity, may we open our ears to their cry, and flee to their re lief! May the protracted continuance of this abominable custom, instead of blunting the edge of our feelings, only increase their poignancy!

M.Dubois acknowledges" that these nefarious sacrifices have increased, of late years:" and he ascribes it," in a great measure," to