In this context we may note the interesting quotations from
the Bands Matarans given in Thursday's Times. The Bands Matarans in a passage of some literary merit depicts Mr. Morley as being blinded by the Divine Providence in order that he may the better bring about those con- ditions which are the sure precursor of the fall of Empires and the beginning of a new order of things. Though these attacks are interesting from the literary point of view, we must never forget that they are only heard of by a microscopic section of the vast Indian population, and not understood by more than a small percentage even of those whose ears they reach. Their sole danger consists in the fact that they give the impression that some one is defying the Government, for every Asiatic tends to think that a Government which allows itself to be defied must be going to destruction. That, of course, is not a reason why we should meet defiance in the approved Asiatic manner—i.e., with fire, sword, and absolute annihilation—but it is a truth which must be remembered. Amongst people of Anglo-Saxon race the fact that a Government allows itself to be defied is regarded as a proof of strength and security. "It is strong enough to ignore such attacks" is, however, a maxim hardly understood by the Latin races, and to the Oriental, as a rule, it sounds like madness.
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