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animal desires and barbarous passions. spark of the divine light which first lit up man's soul is found within them, even when that light appears outwardly to be wholly extinguished. This fast of the Ramezan is, like the penances of the Hindus, terrible and dreadful in its nature; but this must be said of it, that it is not demoralizing in its tendency like the practices of Brahmanism-it is rather a lesson in self-control, in the restraint of self, difficult to learn doubtless, but not wholly without use when learned.

It is followed, of course, by feasting and merry-making. Booths are erected by the sides of the roads most frequented by the Mussulmans, in which sweetmeats are sold, preparations of curry and curry stuff of every kind, spiced meat and piquant delicacies, with coffee as a drink, for the most part. In the houses of the wealthy Moslems, too, shows and exhibitions are presented to the multitudes, who crowd them partly for the sights to be witnessed, partly for the good cheer to be obtained. The conclusion of the Ramezan in India is, in fact, the Doorgah-poojah of the Muhammadan.

Like all other religions, however, Muhammadism is split up into two rival sects which detest each other-the Sheahs and the Soonnies. Both equally hold with Muhammad, and profess to obey implicitly all that Muhammad ordained-they differ, however, in their opinions respecting the orthodox successor of the prophet. The Sheahs acknowledge Ali and his immediate descendants as the lawful successors of the founder of their faith-giving the name of Emauns to these successors. The Soonnies regard the Caliphs, as Omir, Aboubekir and others, as the true leaders of the faithful, subsequent to Muhammad himself. There is little difference between the points of faith of the two sects, very little-it is a mere difference of opinion on an historical fact, yet because the more insignificant in its origin, it is all the more keenly contested now-a-days.

Sheahs and Soonnies cannot meet at religious festivals without quarrelling. From words they come to blows sticks, whips, ropes, missiles are snatched and brought into play, and the looker-on might fancy himself witnessing a faction-fight in Tipperary, or some other such favoured abode of civilization and

cries as,

Christianity, were it not for the dark skins and the half-naked forms. Instead of "Hurra!" "at thim agin, boys!" "the dirty spalpeens!" "we'll lick them, so we will!" he hears such Marro, marro !" "Salawallas!" "Soonnie, koob marro!" "Sheah marro juldee!" and such like. Ali and his followers are, of course, the patterns imitated by the Sheahs, whilst the Soonnies follow the example set by the Caliphs. In their respective methods of ablutions, and in their manner of bowing and, prostrating in their devotional exercises, there are also some minor points of difference.

The difference between the two is, however, important in a political point of view, because each sect would rather league with the Christians against its Moslem rival, than with the latter against the Christians. It was but the other day, that a news-writer from a native court, that of Lucknow, wrote thus to the Calcutta Englishman :-"The war between Russia and Turkey engrosses the conversation of most natives, even here. The King and his court, who are Sheahs, all hope for the complete ruin of the Turks, who are Soonnies, and therefore held in even greater detestation than the Rus

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sian infidels."

to Moslem !

So much for Moslem charity

The Persians too are Sheahs, and have therefore little sympathy with the Turks. In India the two sects are about equal in point of numbers, although the native courts are, for the most, Sheah. As a general rule, we might indeed assert, that western Moslemism, from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf, is Soonnie; whilst the eastern, from the Persian Gulf to Java, is Sheah.

CHAPTER VII.

THE LOST SCHOONER.

THERE were few Anglo-Indians in those days who did not, at some period of their career in the East, seek health at the Cape or in Australia. England denied to them, which they could not visit without sacrificing their situations in the Company's service, they preferred going to the Cape or Australia for a year or two, on sick leave.

When I first visited Cape Town, its Dutch aspect struck me at once most forcibly, as its peculiar characteristic. Founded by the Dutch, and in their possession for nearly a hundred and fifty years, it is no wonder that their air of solid stability and utilitarian massiveness should pervade its streets and public buildings. Your true Dutchman is a broad