THE CONDITION OF INDIA
there is no end to the victims destroyed in the fire of civilisation. Its deadly effect is that people come under its scorching flames believing it to be all good. They become utterly irreligious and, in reality, derive little advantage from the world. Civilisation is like a mouse gnawing while it is soothing us. When its full effect is realised, we will see that religious superstition is harmless compared to that of modern civilisation. I am not pleading for a continuance of religious superstitions. We will certainly fight them tooth and nail, but we can never do so by disregarding religion. We can only do so by appreciating and conserving the latter.
Reader: Then you will contend that the Pax Britannica is a useless encumbrance?
Editor: You may see peace if you like; I see none.
Reader: You make light of the terror that the Thugs, the Pindaris, the Bhils were to the country.
Editor: If you will give the matter some thought, you will see that the terror was by no means such a mighty thing. If it had been a very substantial thing, the other peo-
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