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by us in common with nearly all the great men of science in Europe, viz., our ignorant claim—the matter is indestructible, hence eternal. We will not understand his ideas, he says, because being fond of absurdities, "our own absurdity would be exposed." If so, we prefer indeed our absurd belief in the indestructibility of matter to any scientific opinion upholding the contrary submitting cheerfully, in this case, "the weakness of our understanding to be laughed at"—even by an ascetic in "the state of Nirvikalpa."
We feel very grateful to the good Swami for his explanation of "Pranava" and other kindred words. Mr. Subba Row will no doubt profit by, and answer them. Personally, however, we respectfully decline to be taught the noble science by any other man, however learned he may be, than him who has originally undertaken the task—namely, our own Master: yet, as many of our readers may well benefit by the controversy, we will, with his permission, leave the arena for the present to Mr. Subba Bow, a far abler controversialist than we can ever hope to become.
THE SWAMI OF ALMORA TO HIS OPPONENTS.
"we do not wage war of words, but simply speak and seek truth."
We are sorry to see that we have been the cause of something like irritation to you by our last letter, which perhaps was not suitable to the modesty of a hermit. Therefore, we beg your pardon, if there was in it anything oftensive to you, and, at the same time, beg liberty to speak the truth. We are always friendly to every one, but particularly to the foreigners, who have come to India for knowledge. We are friendly in the spiritual sense of the word, therefore, we must be taken as a real friend and not a flatterer, even if we say iomething disagreeable now and then....Those who seek
