Page:Hints Relative To Native Schools (IA in.ernet.dli.2015.102605).pdf/91

Rh The situation of the inhabitants of India indeed seems to furnish them with a peculiar claim to our attention. Placed as they are by Divine Providence, under the fostering care of Britain, they have extended over them by British laws, that security and protection relative to their persons and property which were unknown in India under their native sovereigns. Advantages, however, which their present lamentable state of ignorance prevents their fully enjoying: for, to say nothing of the gross impositions from their own countrymen to which the ignorance of the lower classes renders them constantly liable, the present state of their minds is such as to deprive them of a great part of the happiness arising from social life, and to leave them almost utterly unacquainted even with the nature and obligation of relative duties. Scarcely any thing can be more shocking than their ignorance of parental duty on the one hand, and of filial obedience on the other, unless it be that insensibility to the finer feelings of humanity, and to the obligations of truth, fidelity and justice, which is so painfully witnessed by most Europeans intimately connected with them.

It is acknowledged that much of this national prostration of morals and feelings may be traced to their system of religion. But it would be wrong not to advert to the degree in which ignorance aggravates all these evils. When idolatry existed both in Rome and in Greece, the sanctions of an oath were not wholly disregarded among them; perjury on the contrary was regarded with horror; falsehood in general with detestation; and the ties of social life which bind man to man, as well as those of probity, fidelity and justice, were felt and acknowledged to be of universal obligation. It will hence be easily seen, either that Hindoo idolatry in its principle and operation is far more inimical to public morals than was the ancient idolatry or that ignorance has exceedingly aggravated its evils. It will perhaps be found that both of these causes have had their full share herein; and that they have produced a reacti-