বঙ্কিম-কণিক। Not merely the Pincott of today, but any thoughtful person from the direction of Europe, who has described the moral condition of the inhabitants of India, has had to certify to their good morals, and their progress in virtue. Recall to mind that ancient story, the scene where the Acharya Dandin stood. before the great hero Alexander. In that thick lonely grove, under the shadow-spreading tree, half reclined on that bed of withered grass and leaves, the Acharya, Dandin, that man of withered frame, unoiled locks, and clothed in red, whose vision was right knowledge, said to the Greek sovereign Alexander, he who displayed heroism, power and loveliness, that which we, thousands and thousands of your subjects, withered in frame from want of food, with breasts gored afresh by the shaft of your new-fangled Act X, in loud voice. and outspoken language, say unto you our sovereignour sovereign, proud of the power of arms, Shah-unShah, King of Kings, displayer of glory, fond of money, maintainer of prestige, by attribute Rakshasa. and Vaisya :-"You can by the power of your arms. crush this material body of mine, but by that to me you can do no harm.” In your civilized language we say :-"Break me if you will, bend me you cannot.” It is not you who have been the first thus to २४*
