1 ||| am \\
2 "witfel interest in Europe; and it has already ceased
3 nisi'dRY or wife s
4 SIKHS.
5 233
6 to create wonder among the Natives of this coun¬
7 try, who seldom trouble themselves about the dis¬
8 covery of imposition, provided they are pleased with
9 its successful performance. Besides,'it gives them,
10 in their own opinion at .least, an advantage over
11 their European brethren, whom they challenge to
12 perform a similar feat. However, if to excel in cun¬
13 ning and deceit, and thereby extort money, be con¬
14 sidered creditable among these people, “ ignorance
15 is bliss.” Rimjeet is not above his country men.
16 in the superstitious ideas which they entertain on
17 many subjects, and it is not improbable, that he
18 had been told the successful performance of this
19 feat might have softie’effect in restoring his health,
20 in the same way as the Jesselmere Rajah fancied it
21 Would be conducive to the birth of a son and heir.
22 To those acquainted with the idolatry and super¬
23 stition of the Hindoos, there will appear nothing
24 surprising in these absurd notions, which run
25 through the whole tenor of their religious tenets.
26 With regard to Rvmjeet’s own religious character, His
27 it is somewhat doubtful if he has any Axed system;
28 but as the Sovereign of the Sikhs who follow the
29 religious tenets of Nanuk, modified by Gooroo
30 Govind, it is politic on his part to support this
31 religion, which he does in the most munificent
32 manner. The Sikh religion differs but little, in
33 ■many respects, from Hindooism, though a wider
34 range is given to many indulgences by the former.
35 Both enjoin a strict prohibition of slaughtering the
36 religio