The fact is, there is really
more work to be done than one can get through. When you get to
know the natives well you cannot help liking them and longing to
do them some good if they would but let you, but it is so difficult
to get them to take up new ideas. Their religion, with all its
customs and ceremonies, seems designed expressly to bar out all
improvements. Except in the case of abolishing Suttee, we have
scarcely weaned them from one of their observances; and even now,
in spite of our efforts, widows occasionally immolate themselves,
and that with the general approval.
"I wish I had an army of ten thousand English ladies all speaking
the language well to go about among the women and make friends with
them; there would be more good done in that way than by all the
officials in India. They might not be able to emancipate themselves
from all their restrictions, but they might influence their
children, and in time pave the way for a moral revolution. But it
is ridiculous," he said, breaking off suddenly, "my talking like
this here, but you see it is what you call my line, my hobby, if you
like; but when one sees this hard working, patient, gentle people
making their lot so much harder than it need be by their customs
and observances one longs to force them even against their own will
to burst their bonds."
Dr. Wade came up at this moment and caught the last word or two.
"You are incorrigible, Bathurst. Miss Hannay, I warn you that this
man is a monomaniac.
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