Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-03-02
Comm II nieations.
-, For the Journal.
An Evening with Bayard Taylor

The pleasure while there, OF hearing BAY
ARD TAYLOR deliver his lecture on "Indis," I"
liz occurred TO me, that a jottiug down for
your columns of few of the good things"
he said, might not be ill-timed, or unappre-
ciated by his admirers in Fremont. We
shall shortly have the traveller and poet
among us. Let US give him liberal and
generous welcome us
The lecturer is of the opinion that the
great plain Of Hindoslan was formerly an
island, and that the majestic Himmaleh we're
originally the boundaries Of Southern Asia.
He thinks also tha. Ceylon is only an e1-
trem'ty of Hindostan, since the strait which
separates the two is, in very dry seasons, so
shallow, that the natives wade across from
one shore to the other.
There is peak upon the northern coast
Of Ceylon, celebrated in tradition, as being
the rock upon which Adam fell when he
was hurled out Of Paradise. There we're
giants in those days and Adam is said 10
have been SO tall, that upon jumping up to
see where Eve had fallen, he discovered her
lying upon what is now the site of Mecca
in Arabia. The rock is called adams
Peak" to this day.
In diversity Of climate, the variety Of soil,
and in rich resources India resembles Mexi-
CO. Indeed it has very many points Of re-
semblance to our neighboring country; and
if the American people were not proVerbial
for their dislike to "extent Of territory" and
for their aversion to "annexation," j" they could
speedily annex broad land, as rich and
beautiful as India, and have an Hindostan
Of their own.
Mr.. Taylor remarked upon the grandeur
and sublimity ofthe Himmalaya. Noting
them at distance their snow-eoFered peaks
were tinged with beautiful rose color, while
beneath Aoated vast shadows Of delicate
purple tint But the blended effect Of the
sublime and beautiful upon his mind was
almost overwhelming. when he reflected
that each of those rose-tints were heights
terrible and inaccessible, vast sweeps Of
mighty precipices; and that each purple
shadow was a yawning gulf of rock, pro-
found chasm Of eternal silence and shade
The lecturer then spoke Of the mental and
moral constitution as well as of the phys
igus" of the native Hindoo.
They are poetic people in :heir associ-
atoms. and temperament. They have innate,
and peculiar ideas Of Divinity and although
their gods are often Of a revolving and dis
gusting nature, yet their rude and unculti-
vated worsbipers embody the highest prin-
ciples Of poetry in their devotion.
There are three superior divinities-
Brama, the Creator. VisAnu, the Presery-
er; and Siva, the Destroyer. From these
there spring host of lesser powers, each
worshiped for some peculiar virtue. The
Hindoos are true to nature in their litera-
ture. Some of their poetry of nearly two
centuries before Christ. is extant; and is
like that OF modern times, since in natural
simplicity and beauty it approaches the real
standard of perfection; leaves the fetters ol
Art, and is the embodiment of the great
true principles Of Nature.
So that nearly two thousand years ago
the Hiudoos were as far advanced in their
knowledge and appreciation of the beautiful
and excellent in literature, as We are at the
presen: day.
They are vegetable loving people
They look with hor-or upon the beef-eatiug
propensities of the Eoglisb. As a natur-
al consequence of their physical habits. they
are weak and indOlenl.-An Englishman
when he plants bis foot upon soil, is no
easily displaced. either Individuality or ma
tionaHy; but the Hindoo race is easily con
quered, as is proved from the complete sub
Ijection in which they are held by the Eng
lish. The English government is making
slow but very apparant reforms in India
1t is twenty five years since widow hal
been burned upon the funeral pile Of hel
husband; and no victims lie down now, and
are crushed meath the wheels Of Jugger
naut. Some jealous missionaries, however
would make US believe that these events
are everyday, after-dinner occurrences :
The laws of caste are great preEeniiyes &c
social reform. ar 5l l-.1. .
e"yery often" said the lecturer, al have
unwittiRgly caused the destruction of 4
quantity Of crockcry. 4.. ..L~
Finding some of their drinking vessels
about, I would use them for my own re-
freshmenti but what was my astOnishment
upon seeing the indignant owners break the
vessels into atoms, which had been polluted
by my touchg' e asf'
They hold that the air is great purifier
When money is paid by the member Of one
caste to the member Of another caste, it il