The Calcutta Review (Volume 86) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888. Excerpt: ... General Literature. Caste: --Its supposed origin; its history; its effects; the duty of Government, Hindus, and Christians with respect to it; and its prospects. Madras: --The Christian Vernacular Education. Society. S. P. C. K. Press, Vepery. MR. RUSSELL LOWELL has written a good deal of rhyme that, more or less, lives in men's memories. Probably nothing he ever wrote will live longer than the two lines--"But John C. Robinson he Said they did'nt know every thing down in Judee." Neither do those 19th century Christians know, who ignore the fact that Jesus Christ was a reformer of Pharisaic corruptions, that had got grafted on to the national religion, and an apostle of toleration. One of these 19th century bigots has written a pamphlet on " Caste," which now lies before us. A man new to the country we should imagine: or else a man who has never been in the country. No intelligent person living amongst natives, and able to take an unprejudiced estimate of Native society, can fail to see that it is the caste system that holds it together, and keeps it from utter corruption. We take leave to think that missionaries don't know every thing about caste, and that they are fallible judges in their own cause, just as the people down in Judee were. Mr. Sherring, of Benares, is a missionary who knows more about caste probably than any other Englishman in India; but he does not denounce it. Nor do other Protestant clergymen denounce trade guilds or freemasonry. Caste is an Indian amalgam of both institutions, and, like them, has its good and its bap sides. It is childish to paint it altogether black; it would be fatuous to make it out altogether white. Is English society in England free from caste trammels? The tract before us is specious in argument. Take this passag...