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accurate information. His character, which we long fince learned from major Rennel, induces us to depend on the latter; and of the former we can speak in higher terms than his diffidence has permitted him to employ.

From Calcutta, in the year 1782, Mr. Forfter proceeded to Benares. The various circumftances of this part of his journey have given occafion for incidental reflections refpecting commercial and financial fubjects, as well as for fome hiftorical remarks. He afterwards gives an account of the religion of the Hindoos, which, though fhort, is entertaining and interefting. There seems in India, as in almost every country, to have been an aboriginal race, not connected in manners, polity, language, or religion, with the reft of the inhabitants. In many regions, this race is extinct; but, in Hindoftan, it remains. Our author thinks that the primitive religion of that country was Unitarian, and that the idols were emblematical reprefentations of the various attributes of the Deity, rather than different gods. The timid Hindoo may now perhaps believe them to be different; but he is in a degraded abject ftate, and differs from his ancestors as much as the Greeks of the Archipelago do from the republicans of Athens.

In treating of the connexion between the mythology of the Hindoos and that of the Egyptians, Mr. Forfter is inclined to believe that the latter were indebted to the former for their improvement both in science and religion.

Were an analogy afcertained between the mythology of the Hindoos and Egyptians, perceptible traces of which are occafionally prefented, it might then become a matter of doubt which people, for the greateft space of time have been the most polished and enlightened. From the examples which have been brought forward for the explanation of fome of the most confpicuous parts of the mythology of the Hindoos, and to demonftrate the probable antiquity of that nation, it may feem, that I favour the belief of Egypt's having received a portion of her stock of fcience and religion from India. With a deference to popular opinion, and difclaiming all fabrication of fyftem, I must avow an inclination to this opinion. One fact amongst fome others, afforded me a fair proof of the high antiquity of the Hindoos, as a civilized nation, and marks a ftrong difapprobation of a foreign intercourse.

They are forbidden to cross the river Attoc, the name of which, in certain dialects of their language, fignifies prohibition; and fhould they pafs this boundary, they are held unclean, and in the frict sense of religious law, forfeit their rank in the tribes they may be claffed in. They were also, either forbidden from embarking on the ocean, or they were deterred from undertaking marine expeditions, by the difficulties incurred in procuring at sea, the

requifite diet for a Hindoo. The probability therefore is not apparent, that any part of a people, fenced in by this reftriction, and who were so proudly centered in themselves, as to reject with abhorrence, the admiflion of profelytes, would have emigrated into a diftant country, and brought from thence a system of religious worship; nor does any probable tradition authorise the belief of an Egyptian colony having been established in India. The capa

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cious space which Hindoftan occupies on the face of the globe, the advantages it derives from foil and climate, and from its numerous rivers, fome of them of the first class of magnitude, may be adduced as reasonable arguments of its having been peopled at a more early period of time than Egypt, which does not poffefs the like local benefits. If the degree of perfection which manufactures have attained, be received as a criterion to judge of the progrefs of civilization, and if it be also admitted as a test of deciding on the antiquity of a people, who adopt no foreign improvements, little hesitation would occur, in bestowing the palm of precedence on Hindoftan, whofe fabrics of the most delicate and beautiful contexture, have been long held in admiration, and have hitherto ftood unrivalled. Let me conclude this comparative view, with obferving, and I trust difpaffionately, that when we see a people poffeffed of an ample stock of fcience of well digefted ordinances, for the protection and improvement of fociety-and of a religion whofe tenets confift of the utmost refinement, and variety of ceremony-and, at the fame time, obferve amongst other Afiatic nations, and the Egyptians of former times, but partial diftributions of knowledge, law, and religion-we must be led to entertain a fuppofition, that the proprietors of the leffer, have been fupplied from the fources of the greater fund. These reflections which have been furnished by experience and various information, will perhaps afford more fatisfaction, than the laboured and perplexed proofs of dates and etymology, which are often framed, as they moft commodiously accord with fome favourite hypothefis.' Vol. i. p. 54.

From Benares Mr. Forfter made an excurfion to Bidgighur, a hill-fort, the ftrength of which is increased by the baleful air, and unwholesome water at its foot, as a befieging army is foon thinned by peftilence, more deftructive than war. Unwholesome air and water feem, in moft inftances, according to our author, to accompany each other; but these formidable enemies make little impreffion on the inhabitants of the hills.

In his way to Allahabad, he could not but obferve the difference between the territory of Oude and that of Benares, the former having a barren and defolate afpect. The accounts of various parts of Oude are followed by the hiftory of the Rohillas and memoirs of Shujah-ud-Dowlah. These addi

tions occupy a difproportioned fpace; and, though in fome inftances Mr. Forfter corrects the errors of former writers, the new lights thrown on particular events do not compenfate the delay. We fhall only obferve, that he speaks with respect of the wisdom and difinterestedness of the late lord Clive, and feems highly to difapprove the Rohilla war. Shujali-udDowlah, he thinks, was haftening to become independent; and, had he lived to mature his plans, he might have ruined the British power in India. The great encouragement which the English afforded to this prince, was, in Mr. Forfter's opinion, impolitic, as gratitude made no part of his character, and little dependence could be placed on his moft folemn profeffions.

Near Rampour, our traveller firft faw the northern mountains which feparate Hindoftan from Thibet, covered with fnow. At this time, he paffed for a Mogul officer in the fervice of the nabob of Oude but he foon after affumed the character of a Turk, going to Kashmire to purchase fhawls.' Having croffed the Ganges and the Jumna, he reached the fmall town of Nhan, into which the rajah of the territory was then making his public entry.

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This chief, a handfome young man, of a bright olive complexion, and taller than the middle fize, was dreffed in a vest of yellow filk, and a red turban; and he was armed with a sabre, a bow, and a quiver of arrows. Though he has made them groan with exactions, he is a great favourite of the people. But he is young and brave, and he liberally disburses what he extorts. joy invariably expreffed by the crouds who came to congratulate his fafe return, gave me a fenfible pleasure. They faluted him without noife or tumult, by an inclination of the body, and touching the head with the right hand; hailing him at the fame time their father and protector. The chief, whilft paffing, fpoke to them in terms affectionate and interefting, which, like a stroke of magick, seemed in an inftant to erafe every trace of grievance. Such were the advantages which pleafing manners and a liberality of temper, joined to the other alluring qualities of a foldier, gave to this prince; and will, unfortunately for their fubjects, give to every prince of fimilar endowments on the face of the earth. Would it not be more productive of the welfare of mankind, thất instead of thefe clinquant virtues, a defpotic ruler poffeffed a dispofition thoroughly impregnated with vice; that with his tyranny, he united cowardice and envy, avarice and arrogance? The fubjects of fuch a prince, would be the fooner impelled to break the difgraceful yoke, and by a fuccefsful example, promote the general caufe of civil liberty.' Vol. i. P. 202.

In his progrefs, Mr. Forfter was expofed to danger from the hoftilities of the petty tyrants of the country. The ranee

or princess of Bellafpour, a woman of high spirit, was engaged in war with the rajah of Kangrah, as the auxiliary of a neighbouring chief. Our author was detained for fome days in the Bellafpour camp. The army confitted of 8300 men, who were furnished with matchlocks, fwords, fpears, and clubs, and were huddled together on two fides of a hill, in a deep ftate of confufion and filth.' Being defirous of an efcort to the oppofite camp, Mr. Forfter

waited on the commander in chief, then fitting under a banian tree, and attended by his principal officers, the greater part of them clad in native buff. Some new levies were paffing in review before him, that had come in from the country, or rather the woods; for they bore a strong resemblance to the defcription given in heathen story of the fatyrs, fawns, and other branches, of the fylvan race; nor do I think that all the powers of a Pruffian drill ferjeant, extenfive as they are, could have impreffed on them a competent knowledge of military difcipline. On approaching the chief, I made him an offering of a rupee, laid on the corner of my vest. You will be pleased to notice, that the piece of money is not to be placed on the naked hand, but on a handkerchief, or fome part of the garment held out for that purpofe; and though the superior fhall be difpofed to favour the client, yet from motives of generofity, or an attention to his condition, it often happens that he does not take the offering, but touches it with his finger. The honour is then supposed to be conferred, and the hope of obtaining protection or affiftance, if fought for, is entertained. The chief received me with civility, and complied with the request, that our party might be permitted to accompany the first meffenger who fhould be dispatched into the Kangrah camp; and he also intimated, that fome letters which were preparing, would foon be forwarded. He looked obliquely at my offering, which he touched, but would not receive. A day or two afterwards, I discovered this mountaineer to be compofed of the fame materials, which with few deviations form the common difpofition of the natives of India. On vifiting him a fecond time, attended only by the cotewaul *, I was told that I might prefent my offering, which being an Alum Shahee rupee, a coin of rather an inferior value in this quarter, I was received with a frown, and my money underwent a ftrict examination. Would you not imagine that I had been bargaining with a Jew pedlar, inftead of conferring with the chief of a country? Though I was mortified at beholding among us fo glaring a meannefs and want of decorum, yet as a trait of national character was disclosed, I received fome fatisfaction in obtaining fo unequivocal a teftimony of it." Vol. i. P. 218.

*An officer of police.'

After a variety of dangers, he arrived at Jumbo, a place of confiderable trade, fituated on the Rawee. He has drawn a pleafing sketch of the adminiftration of a late chief of this territory.

Runzeid Deve, the fatner of the prefent chief of Jumbo, who defervedly acquired the character of a juft and wife ruler, largely contributed to the wealth and importance of Jumbo, Perceiving the benefits which would arife from the refidence of Mahometan merchants, he held out to them many encouragements, and observed towards them a difinterested and an honourable conduct. Negative virtues only are expected from an Afiatic defpot, and under fuch a fanction his fubjects might deem themselves fortunate; but the chief of Jumbo went farther than the forbearance of injuries; he avowedly protected and indulged his people, particularly the Mahometans, to whom he allotted a certain quarter of the town, which was thence denominated Moghulpour; and that no referve might appear in his treatment of them, a moíque was erected in the new colony; a liberality of difpofition the more confpicuous, and conferring the greater honour on his memory, as it is the only inftance of the like toleration in this part of. India, and as the Kashmirians who chiefly compofed his Mahometan fubjects, have been, fince their converfion, rigorous perfecutors of the Hindoos, He was fo defirous alfo of acquiring their confidence and esteem, that when he has been riding through their quarter during the time of prayer, he never failed to stop his horfe until the priest had concluded his ritual exclamations. The Hindoos once complained to this chief, that the public, wells of the town were defiled by the veffels of the Mahometans, and defired that they might be reftricted to the water of the river; but he abruptly dismissed the complaint, faying, that water was a pure element, defigned for the general use of mankind, and could not be polluted by the touch of any clafs of people. An administration fo munificent and judicious, at the fame time that it enforced the respect of his own fubjects, made Jumbo a place of extenfive commercial refort, where all defcriptions of men experienced, in their perfons and property, a full fecurity. Vol. i, P. 246.

In a conteft for the government of Jumbo, the Sicques, or Seiks, interfered; and they found means to eftablish their influence in the town. They are a warlike nation of mountaincers, fometimes mercenary foldiers, and fometimes perfidious allies. The founder of their fect was Nanock, who lived in the 15th and 16th centuries: the religion which he taught was pure, fimple, without ornament, and with little fuperftition. They first attracted notice as a confiderable military power, when the death of Aurengzebe weakened, the throne of Dehli, by dividing its power. Their wars with the Moguls, and the Afghans, have repeatedly brought them to

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