A COWLEY FATHER ON HINDUISM.*
Ix is not easy to give a brief yet adequate account of so multifarious a book as this. Many of its chapters deal, pleasantly enough, with topics so trite as mosquitoes, cobras, white ants, jackals, "brain-fever birds," and other common objects of the Indian countryside. From these we slide imperceptibly into kindly reminiscences of Indian humanity, of their failings and virtues, as these are dis- played in the vicinity of Poona. Of course, Poona is not India, and the Maratha is not quite as other Indians. He is so different, indeed, that the late Sir H. H. Risley was driven to describe him anthropologically as a Scythe- Dravidian. The reverend author writes with the sympathy and comprehension born of a long acquaintance with his Maratha friends. He contrives to cherish a real respect and liking for them, in spite of many un-English qualities, such as unpunctuality, obstructiveness, untidiness, and a queer mental • India and the Indians. By E. F. Elwin. London: John Murray. [10s. 6c1. net.]
incuriousness and inconsistency, probably bred of "environ- ment "—of the fact, that is, that human plans are more at the mercy of incalculable circumstance than under more temperate skies. More important are the pages which deal with the relations between Europeans and Indians, and, above all, thoae which embody the author's personal ideas as to the methods and prospects of evangelization in India. He speaks with frank indignation of the unnecessary and provocative arrogance sometimes displayed by Europeans, not always of the baser sort, towards the Indians with whom they come into contact, and refuses to admit that insolence on the Indian's part is an excuse for undignified violence. It is difficult to discuss such questions generally, but we may admit that Europeans should keep temper under severe control in a land like India. Of the writer's impressions of missionary work it is impossible to speak at length here. He may be right in holding that advanced ritual appeals to the Hindu temperament and attracts converts away from the missions of the Free Churches. It is important, too, to note that he distrusts the optimistic views of such evangelists as the Rev. C. F. Andrews, of Delhi (be is not mentioned by name), who in effect hold that Hinduism is itself being transmuted into some future purely Indian form of Christianity. Experience alone can show whether the purified and rationalized Hinduism of the educated classes will operate as a bar to conversion or as a new channel for the spread of the Christian faith, whether there will be a new Indian Church, or merely Indian branches of the various European Churches. Those who are interested in such speculations will find that the author sets out his own views in temperate and tolerant fashion. It is easy to believe that he has many Indian friends and finds no difficulty in reciprocating their confidence and their esteem for the good "padre" who has spent many years in the task of persuading them that they will find peace and happiness in sharing his faith. Father Elwin's book is overweighted by a too ambitious title, but it can be read with pleasure and profit, even by those who do not wholly share his opinions.
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