Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-11-25
KNOWLEDGE.

The following is from Bcntley's Miscellany for
September -
Anecdntn "reminiscences Of nm English mission
AIRY named Clarke, who went out TO convert the
natives of lndin TO CT Instantly, but falling in his
efforts returned in despair TO Calcutta. We give
the rest OF tie nnecdote IN the writer's own words:
One day otr missionary learned to his great ioy,
that Brann Of the very first rank had arrived
IN the metropolis Determined to bring uiatters TO
an issue, Clarke wrote to him and begged him 10
meet him on certain day, when he undertook 10
convince him, (the Ilindno presl) of the OF
his faith. To this the Brahmin consented and ut
The time appointed the heahen and the christian
champion met to discuss. in the presence of sew
eril witnesses, The merits of their respective
creeds. As is usual in poelnical discussions, The
controversy was opened by several inconsequen-
tlal queries and answers. For halt an hour nei e
Their rnrty had put forth startling proposition
the willy Indian taking care 10 confine himsel! to
the defensive. Tired nj length by this scene,
Clarke suddenly aud abruptly asked him:
"Arc YOU forbidden 10 eat anything in which
animal life Exists p al ann"
" Have you ever broken through this law -
"Nrver."
"MHy you not nuconscin,isly have been led in
to this crime? irdhissibir'
"Wi YOU swear to it !? "NIost solemnly do"
"Du you ever eat pnmrgranntes? ~ "Daily."
Bring me some OF ihat Iruh, them" rejoined
Clarke turning 10 II servant Ills order COM
piled with the rOHegrantes were brought.
"Chousc one" The Brnhmin did So. "Cut
it in two" With this direction he complird.-
Place il here" aud Clarke assisted him - put il
beneath microscope. "Now look At it,"
The Brahmn did 50, but no sooner did he ap-
ply his eye, than he started back with alright
The iruit WAS perfectly alive With anmaicu'p -
The puzzled liiudoo drew out tie pOnIcgrunuie
(which perhaps, my readers are not aware, is
cluSplV filed with insect, Than "a cthar
ruitl looked at it, examined it, replaced il aud =
gam beheld the myria1s of living creatures with
which it was rife. He felt it with his hand tn
convince himself thai there was no trick IN the
affair. Then suddenly drawing himself up, he
slowly uttered, Btssuch h,"- Euough-it is
ruel
"You acknowledge, then, that you have snned
unconsclonsy. That every Thing being He'd with
animalcuI@, invisible to the naked eve, you can
neither eat nor drink without committing a crime.
The nbashed Hndoo bowed.
'Sllail l show yon how iui of similar insects
every drop of water is?' mo! | have seeu e.
nuugh."
"Do you desire further proof" al have ia
vor to ask"
"Wha, is it? If / can will grant it,
"Give me your microscope. | cannot buy it
give it TO me"
Clarke paused for moment, for he had that
morning paid ten guincns for il; and, being n
poor man, he could i'll afford to part with it. But
as The Indian was urgent, almost TO enlreaty, he
at length consented Especially MS he thought the
other would afford HIM in return some curiosity
OF equal valucl aud presented it to hun.
The Bralhin took il, gave ono look of triumph
round The hall and suddenly raising his arm, DASH
ed II into a thousand atoms on the marble floor.
Nhat do you mean 10y this q? exclaimed Clarke
in undisgulsed a-tonishmcn.
1T means, Sir Christian replied the Ilndoo
i'm ,.t,II I
good, proud man. BY means Of yonder instru =
inent you have robbed me OF all future happiness
You have condemned me 10 descend to my grave
wretched and miserable"
With these words he unfortunate Brahmin quit
ted the hall, aud soon after retired up The country