gressors on both sides were our own mild, obedient, and faithful Siphauees. You may punish or injure them in any way; but when their religious ceremonies are interrupted, even by their own brethren, then ensue most dreadful commotions. While their minds are in this state of excitation, woe be to the luckless wight that should interfere. Their submission to the utmost strictness of military discipline is astonishing, and only equalled by their boundless attachment to a British Officer, whom they usually term their "father or brother." Naturally brave and affectionate, they will follow their officer any where; if he should fall, they will sink with despair and sorrow; but let him once only interfere in their religious prejudices and customs, they will shun him as a pestilence and avoid him as an enemy. Bellary, Benares, and lately Poona, are cities where these brief observations have been practically verified, and the contrary result has been fatally experienced at Vellore.

We now draw to a conclusion in these remarks on the conversion of the natives of India to the Christian faith, written with the best feelings of conciliation towards the cause, and with undeviating fidelity as to facts. I am not desirous of deceiving any man, or sect, by bombastic detail or crude suppositions. It is by eye-witnesses and unprejudiced observers that the probability of success attending our evangelical labours alone can be estimated.

It is with true concern that I notice the following passage from that old and very respectable Review, The Eclectic.

"This poor old priest has, in fact, we have no doubt, been spirited up to abuse the Bible Society and the Serampore Missionaries, by some of those military gentry the Qui-hies of Calcutta, who are much more likely to be found at a Doorga feast than in a Christian Church of any kind, to whom a Baptist missionary would naturally enough be an excellent joke over their mangoe, fish, and maligatannie *."-Vol. xx. p. 291.

In this charge against the military gentry, the Qui-hiest of Calcutta, I wish to ask, is it consistent, just, or generous? It is not consistent thus to attack a respectable body of men (because they happen to be soldiers) without better grounds, and it is only productive of hostile feelings on the part of the persons accused. It cannot be generous, for the Qui-hies have subscribed, most liberally, thou

* i. e. Mullecki-tunni, or pepper-water.

+ Qui-hie? Any one there? A mode the English at Bengal adopt in calling to their domestics; hence the nick-name. The English at Madras are facetiously designated Mulls, from their great fondness to the soup called Mullecki-tunni; while the Bombay people are called Ducks, from a name given to part of the army who opposed the late Tippoo Sahib. He was heard to observe, on hearing that the Bombay detachments kept the field in the rainy season, "They were like ducks, always in the water."

sands of rupees to the schools, chapels, and missionaries. It is not just, for the military gentry, generally speaking, did not know there was such a person as the Abbé Dubois in existence, and if they did, he was one thousand miles distant, and the military have other occupations than entering into religious controversies. The Company's officers are, for the far greater part, too well educated and polished to treat any priest with disrespect, or to calumniate his sacred office. It is much to be regretted that such a passage should have appeared in a work celebrated for the justness of its critical inquiries. Observations like these only tend to exasperate, where it is our duty and interest to conciliate.

Much ill will has been produced in India by some few of the missionaries themselves. Stubborn in most suggestions proposed to them, and incredulous in the extreme, sanguine beyond all bounds, and sometimes uncourteous among those who could and would have aided their labours, of which the late Mr. Martyn was a proof. Their friends at home, instead of checking these ebullitions of their inexperienced though zealous labourers, espouse their proceedings, and increase the difficulties by widening the breach; whereas every auxiliary aid is required in furtherance of the "good cause."

Another instance of credulity, wrong feeling, and reproach, is from the Church Missionary Register, from the correspondence of one of their labourers

in India. "That wretched man Sabat (writes one who well knew him) was made to feel this keenly. I have seen (he adds) the tear stream down his fine Arabian face as he told me of the indignities and reproaches he had suffered from British Christians." Now, for my part, I should be loth to believe an Arab on his oath: they are singularly artful, and given to dissimulation and lying, which to an Arab is habitual: they can cry at pleasure, and stab at pleasure; and will, to please you or gain a point, say any thing or do any thing. The Arab of the Desert and the Arab of India are very different persons; but the faithlessness and deceptions of an Arab are a by-word. And as to Sabat's report*, I believe not one word of it; not only from knowing their character well, but that a British subject would not take the trouble to reproach such contemptible reprobates. There is nothing in such a man to interest or gratify the party offering the indignities complained of. The report goes on to state, "Your Committee are happy to be assured that proceedings of this nature, as impolitic as they are immoral, are fast dying away." This is satisfactory; but for my part, for many substantial reasons, I disbelieve, as far as British subjects are concerned, that they ever took place, and that the reports have originated in misrepresentation and good-natured credulity.

* I have since heard that Sabat was discovered to be a rank impostor, and as such treated by the Missionaries.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Native Teachers-Bibles-Missionary Reports-Official Orders and Letters-Departure from Aurungabad-Katees-Arrive at Ahmed-Nuggur -- Bheels -- Guzerat-Mr. ClevelandToorkabad-Jungle-Rencontre-Arrows-Baroda.

SHOULD SUCCess ever crown the exertions of the missionaries, a far greater number of teachers and ministers would be required; and it is evident, unless the cause becomes a national subject, or a vast accumulation in the funds takes place, the increased expenses could not be borne; and trusting the management to cheap native assistants in the provinces would not only be impolitic as far as the welfare of the cause is concerned; but extremely dangerous to the interests of government, as there is no knowing what these native enthusiasts, possessing a little authority and much ambition, would not attempt, particularly if far removed from the control and vigilance of their European pastors. This may be anticipating an evil; but it is as well, in an event so momentous as endeavouring to effect a total revolution in the religion, the morals, and the political and social institutions of one hundred millions of people (and history tells us of Paraguay in South America), to look to probable consequences while we are speaking of those now passing before our eyes,

During my sojourn in India I have visited the