Observations on the Mussulmauns of India | Page 8

indulgence
to the weaknesses of a female pen, thus exercised for your amusement,
during my twelve years' domicile in their immediate society.

Every one who sojourns in India for any lengthened period, will, I
believe, agree with me, that in order to promote health of body, the
mind must be employed in active pursuits. The constitutionally idle
persons, of either sex, amongst Europeans, are invariably most subject
to feel distressed by the prevailing annoyances of an Indian climate:
from a listless life results discontent, apathy, and often disease. I have
found, by experience, the salutary effects of employing time, as regards,
generally, healthiness of body and of mind. The hours devoted to this
occupation (tracing remarks for the perusal of far distant friends) have
passed by without a murmur or a sigh, at the height of the thermometer,
or the length of a day during the season of hot winds, or of that humid
heat which prevails throughout the periodical rains. Time flies quickly
with useful employment in all places; in this exhausting climate every
one has to seek amusement in their own resources, from sunrise to
sunset, during which period there is no moving from home for, at least,
eight months out of the twelve. I have not found any occupation so
pleasant as talking to my friends, on paper, upon such subjects as may
admit of the transfer for their acceptance--and may I not hope, for their
gratification also?
The patriarchal manners are so often pictured to me, in many of the
every-day occurrences exhibited in the several families I have been
most acquainted with in India, that I seem to have gone back to that
ancient period with my new-sought home and new friends. Here I find
the master and mistress of a family receiving the utmost veneration
from their slaves and domestics, whilst the latter are permitted to
converse and give their opinions with a freedom (always respectful),
that at the first view would lead a stranger to imagine there could be no
great inequality of station between the persons conversing. The
undeviating kindness to aged servants, no longer capable of rendering
their accustomed services; the remarkable attention paid to the
convenience and comfort of poor relatives, even to the most remote in
consanguinity; the beamings of universal charity; the tenderness of
parents; and the implicit obedience of children, are a few of those
amiable traits of character from whence my allusions are drawn, and I
will add, by which my respect has been commanded. In their
reverential homage towards parents, and in affectionate solicitude for
the happiness of those venerated authors of their existence, I consider

them the most praiseworthy people existing.
On the spirit of philanthropy exhibited in their general charity, I may
here remark, that they possess an injunction from their Lawgiver, 'to be
universally charitable'.[1] This command is reverenced and obeyed by
all who are his faithful followers. They are persuaded that almsgiving
propitiates the favour of Heaven, consequently this belief is the
inducing medium for clothing the naked, feeding the hungry,
supporting the weak, consoling the afflicted, protecting the fatherless,
sheltering the houseless traveller, and rendering the ear and the heart
alive to the distresses of the poor in all situations. A good Mussulmaun
never allows the voice to pass unheeded where the suppliant applies, 'In
the name of God', or 'For the love of God'.
I have often been obliged to hear the Mussulmauns accused of an
ostentatious display of their frequent acts of charity. It may be so in
some instances; human nature has failings common to all complexions.
Pride may sometimes open the purse of the affluent to the poor man's
petition; but when the needy benefit by the rich, it is unjust to scrutinize
the heart's motive, where the act itself alleviates the present sufferings
of a fellow-creature.
Imposition is doubtless often practised with success by the indolent,
who excite the good feelings of the wealthy by a tale of woe; the sin
rests with him who begs unworthily, not with him who relieves the
supposed distresses of his poorer neighbour. The very best of human
beings will acknowledge they derive benefits from the bounty of their
Maker, not because they are deserving, but that 'He is merciful'.
I shall have occasion to detail in my Letters some of the Mussulmaun
observances, festivals, &c., which cannot be accomplished without
feeding the poor; and, in justice to their general character, be it
acknowledged, their liberality is not confined to those stated periods.
The Syaads[2] (Meers[3]) are descendants from Mahumud, the
acknowledged Prophet and Lawgiver of the Mussulmauns; and, as
might be expected, are peculiar objects of respect and favour amongst
the true believers (as those who hold their faith are designated). 'The
poor Syaad's family' are the first to be