The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-12-25
A. Little About the Hind0Os.

BeforesA bahamsthe patriarch was born, or
thezpyramids of Egypt werebnilt, the Hlndoos,
a. Branch Of the great AfyaE family, had de
sceneaed from their home near the Himalaya
Mountains, and travelling Southwark, many
reached the valleys of the Junla and the Gan
ees. conouering and enslaving some of the
tribes that inhabited those regions, and driving
out others, bestowing upon them such unpeas-
ant names as "thieves," g"black tribes" and
sweak ones,H To themselves, they gave the
name of white aud not without some reason,
for the tint of their skin is much lighter than
that of the Rheels, Gonds and other tribes
which surround them. Their heads are longer
and more oval, their features are more regular,
their bodies better proportioned, and many OF
their women of the higher castes, notwith-
standing their dark complexion, are exquislteIy
beautiful.
When the Hindoos first entered upon the
rich plains of India they were an energetic
nd-warlike people; but the enervating chm
ate, the despotism of their rulers, and, the the
want of necessity for excrtion in that fertile
country changed them gradually iip:o an lndo-
lent race, who hated motion and loved nothing
so we'll as to dream away their lives. 10 lll'ls-
trate their habitua laziness, it is only necessary
to -say~~that. ..tlestarn laborers, when wedding
the miserably cultivated crops, sit upon the
ground and after eisurely clearing the space
within reach, move on little way, sit down
and repeat the operation.
1t IS evident from the finding of an old
wrought-iron pillar in India lately, that many
centuries ago the Hindoos knew how to value
and utilize q metal that is more precious to us
than gold. They have long been skilled in
various arts and manufactures, and the gold
and silver breaches Of Delhi were famous two
thousand years ago. Some Of their inlaid ware
has to be viewed through magnifying glass OF
great power to reveal the minute pieces used
in its manufacture the furniture they make is
elaborately carved, and the carpets they weave
cannot be excelled in harmony of color. But
this skill is not to be wondered at when we
remember that from generation to generation
the son has taken up the profession or trade Of
his father, the regulations of caste prohibiting
the children from following any other occupa-
ton than that of their ancestors.
Every Hndoo prdes himself upon the caste
or class of society to which he belongs, even
the Pariahs, or outcasts, considering their
cooking utensils defled if any one of another
class has used or washed them. The Pharisees
of old would not eat with unwashed hands, or
from unclean vessels, but the Hindoos go still
farther and shun the breath Of garlic eater
or brandy drinker as they would a pestilence,
in which they show good taste, at least. The
distinctions of caste are dying out, however,
under the influence in India of the British
government, which now holds in subsection
this once powerful nation. And as the distinc-
tions of caste die out, q better civilization is
coming to the Hindoos, whose power to learn
from their masters is very great.-Hearth end
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