1 THE RELIGION OF THE SIKHS. 125
2 but they have no objections to either the wine or
3 spirits of Europe when they fean obtain them*
4 " The use of opium to intoxicate is very com-
5 mon with the Sikhs, as with most of the military
6 tribes of India. They also take B'hang, another
7 inebriating drug.
8 " The conduct of the Sikh3 to their women
9 differs in no material respect from that of the
10 tribes of Hindoo^ or Mahomedans from whom
11 they are descended; their moral character with
12 regard to women, and, indeed, in most other
13 points, may, from the freedom of their habits
14 generally, be considered as much more lax than
15 that of their ancestors, who lived under the re-
16 straint of severe restrictions, and whose fear of
17 excommunication from their caste at least obliged
18 them to cover their sins with the veil of decency.
19 This the emancipated Sikhs despise ; and there is
20 hardly an infamy wMch this debauched and dis-
21 solute race are not accused, and I believe with
22 justice, of committing in the most open and
23 shameful manner."
24 In sketching the history of Nanac, the founder
25 of the Sikh religion, allusion has been made to
26 his assumption of the character of a Faquir, and
27 his performance, in that character, of certain
28 miracles. Where ignorance prevails credulity is
29 easily excited and imposed upon, and as nothing