in India, and none are as yet needed. The obligation to provide for kinsfolk and friends in distress is universally acknowledged; nor can it be questioned that this is due to the recognition of the strength of family ties and of the bonds created by associations and common pursuits which is fostered by the caste principle. An India without caste, as things stand at present, it is not quite easy to imagine."

IV.-CHARACTER.

To those who know thee not, no words can paint,
And those who know thee, know all words are faint.
-HAN. MORE: Sensibility.

THE happy results of government depend chiefly upon the character of the people. And what nation, ancient or modern, can show such high character as that of the ancient Hindus? Their generosity, simplicity, honesty, truthfulness, courage, refinement and gentleness are proverbial. In fact, the elements so mixed in them that nature might stand up and say to all the world, "These were men."

The first and highest virtue in man is truthfulness. As Chaucer says:

Truth is the highest thing that man may keep.

From the earliest times, the Hindus have always been praised by men of all countries and creeds for their truthfulness.

Strabo says: "They are so honest as neither to require locks to their doors nor writings to bind their agreements."1

Arrian (in the second century), the pupil of Epictetus, says that "no Indian was ever known to tell an untruth."2 This, making a due allowance for exaggeration, is no mean praise.

Hioven thsang, the most famous of the Chinese travellers, says: "The Indians are distinguished by

1Strabo, Lib. xv. p. 488 (ed. 1587).

2Indica, Cap. XII, 6. See also McCrindle in 'Indian Antiquary,' 1876, p. 92.

the straightforwardness and honesty of their character. With regard to riches, they never take anything unjustly; with regard to justice, they make even excessive concessions straightforwardness is

the leading feature of their administration."1

Khang-thai, the Chinese ambassador to Siam, says that Su-We, a relative of Fauchen, king of Siam, who came to India about 231 A.D., on his return. reported to the king that "the Indians are straightforward and honest."2

"In the fourth century, Friar Jordanus tells us that the people of India are true in speech and eminent in justice."3

Fei-tu, the ambassador of the Chinese Emperor Yangti to India in 605 A.D., among other things points out as peculiar to the Hindus that "they believe in solemn oaths."4

Idrisi, in his Geography (written in the 11th century), says: "The Indians are naturally inclined to justice, and never depart from it in their actions. Their good faith, honesty and fidelity to their engagements are well known, and they are so famous for these qualities that people flock to their country from every side."5

In the thirteenth century, Shams-ud-din Abu Abdullah quotes the following judgment of Bedi-czr Zeman :

1 Vol. II, p. 83.

2 Max Muller's India: What can it teach us? p. 55.

3 Marco Polo, ed. H. Yule, Vol. II, p. 354.

4 Max Muller's India: what can it teach us? p. 275. Elliot's History of India, Vol. I, p. 88.

"The Indians are innumerable, like grains of sand, free from deceit and violence. They fear neither death

nor life."

Marco Polo (thirteenth century) says: "You must know that these Brahmins are the best merchants in the world and the most truthful, for they would not tell a lie for anything on earth.”2

Kamal-ud-din Ibd-errazak Samarkandi (1413-1482), who went as ambassador of the Khakan to the prince of Calicut and to the king of Vidyanagar (1440-1445), bears testimony to "the perfect security which merchants enjoy in that country."3

Abul Fazal says: "The Hindus are admirers of truth and of unbounded fidelity in all their dealings."4 Sir John Malcolm says: "Their truth is as remarkable as their courage.

995

Colonel Sleeman, who had better and more numerous opportunities of knowing the Hindu character than most Europeans, assures us "that falsehood or lying between members of the same village is almost unknown." He adds, "I have had before me hundreds of cases in which a man's property, liberty and life has depended upon his telling a lie and he has refused to tell it.' ." "Could many an English Judge," asks Professor Max Muller, "say the same?"6

What is the pivot on which the whole story of Ramayana, the book which even now exercises the greatest

India: What can it teach us? p. 275.

2 Marco Polo, ed. H. Yule, Vol. II, p. 350.

3 Notices des Manuscrits tom. xiv, p. 436.

4 Tod's Rajasthan, Vol I, p. 643.

5 Mill's History of India, Vol I, p. 523.

Max Muller's India: What can it teach us? p. 50,

influence in the formation of Hindu character throughout India, turns?—To remain true, though life may depart, and all that is near and dear in this world may perish. What is the lesson taught by the life of the greatest character unfolded to view by the Mahabharata, Bheeshma Pitamah ?-To remain true and stedfast, come what may.

Professer Max Muller says: "It was love of truth that struck all the people who came in contact with India, as the prominent feature in the national character of its inhabitants. No one ever accused them of falsehood. There must surely be some ground for this, for it is not a remark that is frequently made by travellers in foreign countries, even in our time, that their inhabitants invariably speak the truth. Read the accounts of English travellers in France, and you will find very little said about French honesty and veracity, while French accounts of England are seldom without a fling at Perfide Albion !"'1

But it is not for truthfulness alone that the Hindus have been famous. Their generosity, tolerance, frankness, intelligence, courtesy, loyalty, gentleness, sobriety, love of knowledge, industry, valour and a strong feeling of honour are even now remarkable.

"Megasthenes observed with admiration the absence of slavery in India, the chastity of the women, and the courage of the men. In valour they excelled all other

'Max Muller's India: What can it teach us? p. 57.

2 Hunter's Gazetteer, "India," p. 266.

3 Rev.F. D. Maurice says that "the Sudras are not in any sense slaves, and never can have been such; the Greeks were surprised to find all classes in India free citizens."-The Religions of the World, p. 43. Mr. Elphinstone says: "It is remarkable that in the Hindu dramas there is not a trace of servility in the behaviour of other characters to the king."--History of India, p. 243,