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    la feet , European institutions themselves are not altogether exempt v from the influence of this vicious principle : legitimacy , taken as an absolute rule ; hereditary nobility , and the privileges * of the first-born , are the same thing ; or rather , are remnants of it , which cannot without difficulty be destroyed . Rammohun Roy , adapting his

    measures to the place and the times / in which he lives , pa well as the sort of men he is attempting to enlighten , does not oppose the institution of castes by abstract reasonings , ( for they would be useless , ) but by the authority of the Vedant , which he is cardftil not to bring into disrepute , and of which he professes to be but the commentator . The

    discretion which regulates his conduct prevents any action revolting to the prejudices of his fellow-sectaries , or capable of affording an excuse for his exclusion . He has , nevertheless , risen above many littlenesses : he scruples not to seat himself with an European who is eating ; sometimes he even

    invites Europeans to his house , and treats them according to their own taste . Far , however , from wishing to lose his Brahminical dignity , it is upon that he founds his enterprise ; asserting that it is his duty , as a Brahmin , to instruct his countrymen in the sense and in the real commands of their sacred books .

    His efforts aare directed towards the destruction of that prejudice which prevents the different castes from eating together . He considers that this amelioration is the most essential , and will effect every other , even the political amelioration of his country— -and this is aii object to which he is not

    indifferent . Every six months he publishes a little tract , in Bengalee and in English , developing his system of theism ; and he is always ready to answer the pamphlets published at Calcutta or Madras 'in opposition to him . He takes pleasure in this \ controversy ; : but although fer . from deficient in philcK sophy , or in knowledge j he distinguishes himself more by his- logical inode of reasoning than by liis ^ generkl views He appears to feel the advantage which it gives him with the Methodists , some of whom ¦ are ende&vouringito convert him . He seems to hrivel prepared hitoself for hi ^ polemical career frptfx the logic of the Arabians ; which he' regfefcta

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    European books equal to the scholastic philosophy of the Hindoos . We may easil y imagine that ^ a man who has raised himself so much above the level of his countrymen by his intellectual attainments , catnnat exactly resemble them in his conduct . He

    not only refrains from their superstitious practices , ( which i » not saying much in his favour , since he might do so from various causes not highly laudable , ) but , what is much more imJ portant , all his conversation , his actions and manners evince a powerful sentiment of individual dignity ; whilst , in general , meanness and feebleness of mind are characteristic * of the Hindoo .

    Influenced , like these around him , with , the spirit of order ,, economy and knowledge of the value of money , acquired by their mercantile education , Hammohun Roy does not view the augmentation of property as the most important object : his fortune consists of the wealth he received from his

    ancestors : he does net g ive his mind to any kind of commercial speculation . He would consider that mode of life beneath his station and the duties of a Brahmin * . He derives no pecuniary advantage from his works : and , in all

    probability , desirous as he may be of power and distinction , he would not accept of the Government * anyr place that should be merely lucrathre ; to solicit one of any description he would not condescend . It is not likely , how * ever , that the Government will make

    trial of his inclination : it would not suit the policy of the present masters of his country to give encouragement to a subject whose soul is so lofty , and whose ingenuous conversation often shews , in a strain half serioua and half jesting , . all that he wishes to be able to

    do for his country . He cultivates a friendly connexion with many Euro * peans , distinguished by their rank or their merit ; he appears not to seek connexions of any other kind . Within the last year or two he has been less in . society than formerly . > < if > r » h { \

    Rammohun f -Roy , as h ^ s already bteen shewn , is not yet forty years old ; 1 m is taifc rtnd robust ;; hfe rtgular features and habitually gtfwve countenance assume a t most » pleusin ^ appeai ^ ince when he ^ is animated . jSc appear ? t <* have a sUght diiiposition to melfWptdiol ^ The whole ofrto conversation ami rtHwmerefitew at'first sight ;

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    Some ^ i&ton rii of the Life tititi Writings of Rammohun Roy . S

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1820, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2484/page/3/