In spite, however, of these sinister influences (having the same origin with those which actuate our American brethren in their conduct to their coloured countrymen, and which we so loudly condemn), I must bear my humble testimony in favour of our Eurasian fellow-subjects, who, far from combining the vices and defects of both races, as has often been cruelly and flippantly declared, seem, on the contrary, as far as my experience goes, from griffinage upwards, to unite with the gentleness, placability, and fidelity of the native many of the sterling virtues of the European character, though certainly lacking its strength and energy.
But iron nerves, in which consists the secret of English superiority, require regulation as well as the weak and more delicate organizations of the East; for if the one tends to effeminacy, the other, under the fancied character of manliness, too often tends to ferocity, and that one-sided freedom called tyranny. “Call this a land of freedom where a man mayn’t shoot his own nigger!” said Matthews’ Yankee; and a volume could not better express that Irish reciprocity of rights which John and Jonathan are so prone to patronize.—But to return.
This engraftment will probably produce those permanent social, moral, and political fruits, which there from neither European nor native singly could be expected.
The English greyhound, taken to India, dies, or loses in time most of his energy and valuable qualities, and the produce decidedly degenerates; but the cross with the native dog of that species produces an animal in which is united the Indianized constitution of the one with much of the speed and courage of the other.
I am sorry to seek an illustration of my position amongst the lower order of creation, but it perhaps holds good.
We found Mrs. Brownstout in the act of explaining some mystery of dress to a dirgee (tailor), a little slender ungirdled shrimp, standing, scissors in hand, amidst a vast accumulation of muslin and ribbon. One of the young ladies was penning a billet, the other painting flowers.
“How d’ye do, Rattleton, how d’ye do?” said the old lady, as we entered, addressing my friend bluntly, who was evidently one of her “boys.” “I can’t get up to you, you see, so talk to the girls.”
The young ladies, however, arose, and Tom introduced me to them.
On taking my seat they asked me a few common-place questions, such as how long I had been in India? how I liked it? if I had lately arrived at Barrackpore? and so forth; to all of which I made suitable replies.
This piece of formality over, the old lady and her daughters, evidently impatient to unburthen themselves, opened upon Tom instanter.