Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/264

248 the reign of King Caste is drawing to a close. Nature, the sovereign controller of all mundane affairs, is already asserting her supremacy; and though it may be years, perhaps whole decades yet, before the rightful sovereign comes into her own, I doubt not that Caste, in his more hateful aspects, is retreating. Twenty years ago, the re-marriage of a Hindu widow was an event not to be dreamt of. In the course of last year I have recorded at least fifteen such unions. The bold spirits who defy Caste in order to save their honour and secure the happiness to which instinct tells them they are entitled, have to put up with bitter persecution, even personal violence from bigots in power; but the eye of an All-wise Providence watches over the victims. The time is coming when, sanctified by Him and blessed by all sensible Gujarátis, widow re-marriage will grow up an institution of the land. Meantime, the following account of a Caste meeting may afford some cue to the observant reader as to the knowledge and power for good of the representatives of Caste, and the attitudes of the advocates of reform. The proceedings are conducted in a very primitive manner. But I need not apologise for that, inasmuch as it is my business to place