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LIGHTS AND SHADES.

CHAPTER I.

SUNRISE AND SUNSET OF HARRIS. PHILOSOPHY more liberal than the World in its estimate of

character.-Baboo Harrischander appreciated more by the former than the latter.-Change in the East since the advent of the English.-Eastern and Western Prophecies relating to the Supremacy of the Europeans in India.-Lights and Shades of India.-The Scholar and the Philanthropist more needed in the East than the Historian.-The object of the treatise rather moral, and suggestive of Reform, than historical.-Picture presented by Baboo Harrischander in early life. Contrast afforded at the close.-Stirrings in the outer world upon his Death.-A question as to his Life.Grounds of our investigation.

"I, demens, et sœvas curre per Alpes
Ut pueris placeas et declamatio fias ?”
JUVENAL.

It has been rightly observed, that the world is by no means the right discerner of worth. Not that it deliberately awards praise where only censure is due; and whatever errors it may be led into at the onset, its judgment is in time

so nicely balanced that philosophy has seldom found cause to reverse, however much it may qualify, the sentence passed by the world. But it is nevertheless not sufficiently fair in its standard of selection, inasmuch as it is precisely of "the world, worldly." Obtain success in the cabinet, perpetrate an inhuman slaughter on the field, or shine out publicly in literary quackism, and the world is ready to pour forth applause with all its vehemence and adulation; but pass an entire life in the labours of quiet benevolence, rescuing hundreds and thousands from "the ills that flesh is heir to," or the ills their own misguidance and circumstances, or the misguidance and circumstances of their forefathers, have subjected them to, and the world is prone to be indifferent and silent. The statesman, the warrior, and the poet have their praises and their testimonials, because their's is the apparent merit: but the humbler patriot, who has quietly worked for the political advancement of his country; and the silent philanthropist, who has devoted his life to the promotion of the happiness or alleviation of the sufferings of his fellow-creatures, have neither the recognition nor the reward of greatness from the world—not, certainly, as truly undeserving,

ESTIMATE OF CHARACTER.

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but as greatly passing its own conception of greatness. But narrow as the world is in this respect, philosophy is liberal enough; so that while it allows the heroes of the world their merited meed, it also concedes due honour and admiration to those quiet heroes of the heart who appeal the most earnestly, because the least pretentiously, to its regard. If the worth of these is not according to the common appreciation of mankind, it is still according to the appreciation of those philosophic minds that in their recognition would ask for something worthier and nobler than outward show. And if the world neglects them, it is much to their taste, as their's is the pleasure to contemn all popular applause in the silent approval of their hearts. Of such noble worth there are but few illustrations, but from amongst these few it were hard to find a greater name for India than that of BABOO HARRISCHANDER-a name prominently distinguished by services which the world neglects, and philosophy loves to honour with becoming regard.

The State of India is certainly far better now than of yore. The ignorance and intolerance of Mahomedan times have vanished, and we have a change mighty in results, and

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