Page:The Message and Ministrations of Dewan Bahadur R. Venkata Ratnam, volume 2.djvu/103

 and avocations of our nation in general, every one of these three imperative duties requires to be strictly enforced. At a time when the "big-bellied bottle" is supposed to be the concomitant of western culture and refinement, when the "model gentleman" thinks it no blemish, if not an actual grace, in his conduct of life to be what young Novall terms a "free colt," and when it is held derogatory to one's dignity to take part in manly games or exercises, the responsibility of pruning the prejudices, refining the tastes and elevating the mo- ral tone of the people devolves with treble force upon every well-wisher of his country. And it is really cheering to observe that many a "good templars' lodge" and "band of hope" is springing up in the land as a solemn protest against intemperance or a sheltering haven unto repentant drun- kards. It is equally pleasant to behold the country studded with "courts," "courses," "turfs" and "grounds" for physical exercise of one kind or another. Our only wish is that the promoters of these very