Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-17
CURIOUS DIVISION OF RACES.
GIimpsc> at the Present Aspects Of So.
ciaI Life in British India.
FROM The Boston Traveller

The Indian Criminal Jurisdiction bill
has brought into prominence that curious
division Of the races in British India,
which passes by the name of the Social
Gulf Nothing strikes the Parliamentary
globe-trotter 80 unpleasantly rs the appa-
rent absence of all social intimacy be-
tween natives and Europeans, and he is
very apt to ascribe the breach to pre- ju-
dice on the part of his countrymen. 1t
would be more true, however, to attrib-
ute the want Of cordiality to misunder-
standing, because the bulk of the native
population of India know little about
Europeans, as little as Europeans gene
rally know about the private life of ma
tives. Many instances of ignorance of
each others ways might be cited but
two will suffice.
Some years ago, at Madras, couple OF
British sailors, discharged from some
ship in the Roads, took it into their heads
to have n spree. So they went very cool
ly Off to Mohammcdan .Wulvie, and
announced their intention of becoming
converts to the Mussulmans religion
forthwith The utter ignorance of the
Mussulmans Of a large Indian town as to
English men and manners enabled the
sailors to rlay them II pretty trick. Jack
and his friend were provided with all
things appcr,aining to true believer, in
Guiding brides, and probably liquor, too.
They We're clothed, with their Mussul-
nance wives, III marriage garments, and
paraded around Madras as most interest
ing converts, to the great amusement OF
the European community. No doubt it
was not long before the NIohammedans of
Madras were rudely awakened to sense
of the insincerity Of Jacks religious con-
yictions.
Another incident will illustrate the ig-
norance of Europeans with regard to ma
tives. A certain Rajah, II Rrahmin, had
done some service 10 the state, and as Il
reward he was presented, OF all things in
the world, with microscope, costing q
thousand rupees. The selection was
made not by the sailors mentioned above,
but by Indian officials, who might be ex-
pected to understand the people. What
was the result ? The Raiah, not know
ing any better, tried to use the long bar.
rel of the microscope rs a gun, and near.
ly blew himself to pieces i'll an unscien-
tific effort to fire royal salute with it.
Comparatively few Europeans have the
time or the inclination to study native
manners closely--in the natives own
homes The natives, on their side, ex-
hibit SO many preiudices about "caste, u
and about bringing their women to Eng.
lish entertainments, tina. it is almost i'm.
possible for the two races to amalgamate
socially. There are Il few brilliant OK
ceptions to the rule, but very few. Now
and then some remarkably enlightened
native gentlemen will be seen, accom-.
panied by his pretty wife, in English So
ciety; and, whenever this occurs, both
the native gentleman and his wife are
most cordially received by both Englisi
ladies and gentlemen,
More often the civilization takes the
form Of the Ralah, or whoever he may be
going to an English party alone, his wife
being left at home and the inference is
obvious-that he does not consider Eng
lish society good enough for her. Ii
effect, he does not consider English ball
and dinners respectable. At the one, h,
thinks they dance indecontly and at til,
ether, they outrage al laws, human ant
divine, by eating beef or ham and drink
ing wine Europeans, for motive of pol
10y or self-interest. very often go to na
tive entertainments but don't like them
A native party is an exceedingly stupit
affair. First, there are no women at it
except Nautch girls. Secondly, the po
liteness of the company is oyegstrained
and becomes q perfect nuisance. Third
iy, tha smells are odious, and include
Eeadachy combination of cocoanut oil
sandal-wood, ,hookah tobacco and India
jasmine. No subsequent friendlines
comes from attending these native enter
tainments. Whether it ig large Dime
given to Europeans OF only a "Nautch,
the object in giving it is evident-th
hosts own gloriacation.
An Englishman at native entertain
ment, unless when he is actually eatin
and drinking, looks bored. SO does
native at an English party. The ways
the one are strange to the other there
no "reciprocity," as the Americans woul
gay. OF course no reference is here mac
the Parsees of Bombay, who can har
ly he called natives at all, or to the your
gentlemen Of the Young Bengal part
who ape English manners more or lie
unsucoessfully, except the fatal one
getting drunk. The natives here spok'
of are the natives met generally in Ind
natives representing in India the high
and the middle classes Mt home. 1t mi
be doubted if any Englishman-unless
Meadows Taylor-could make q olo
friend, al intimate friend, of one Of thet
Formal c,vility, and even apparent frien
Iiness, are easy enough, for native ge
tleman has nearly always good manner
but true friendship is almost impossib
And it 10 lamentable fact that the mo
educated the native gentleman the le
the inclination felt to be friends wi
him.
Education unfortunately cannot gi
the Indian m acquaintance with
usages of good society, and it is painl
to see highly-educated native gentlem
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