was
immediately observed by one of our party who had been long in India,
between the policy adopted by Napoleon, and that followed by the
Brahmins in the East. The Brahmins religiously prohibit travelling; and
the _sin_ of visiting foreign countries is particularized in their
religious instructions. The free publication of the sentiments of
travellers was never permitted under the late Emperor; and the severe
regulations of the police made it extremely difficult for any Frenchman
to travel. The object of both was the same, to prevent any mortifying
and dangerous comparisons between the situation of their own, and the
condition of foreign countries. The Brahmins made it a rule to check the
progress of education, and to discourage the study of their _shasters_.
As to these seminaries of education, unconnected with military subjects,
Napoleon, if he did not dare actually to abolish them, at least threw
over them the chilling influence of his imperial disapprobation; whilst,
by that general inattention and impunity extended to vicious conduct,
and the ridicule with which he regarded the clergy, he succeeded in
rendering the scriptures contemptible. If, again, the condition of the
French people was in many material respects analogous to the state of
the Hindoos, the education of the women among them (the effect of the
same causes operating in both countries), is completely Mussulman.
Singing, dancing, and playing on the guitar, with a lighter species of
ladies needle-work, forms the whole education of the French women; and
this similarity of political treatment has produced a striking parallel
even in the minuter parts of their national character.

It is disagreeable to dwell upon the darker parts of their characters;
even amongst those whose dispositions, it must be acknowledged, if
formed in a purer country, and encouraged to develope themselves in all
their native beauty, would have done honour to any nation. Such is the
laxity of moral principle, that a woman of unimpeached character is but
rarely to be found; and I can speak from my own observation and
experience, that examples of criminal conduct, being of frequent
occurrence and generally expected, have ceased to be the objects of
reprobation, and are no longer the subjects of enquiry. What is more
extraordinary, and shews a deeper sort of depravity, is the circumstance
that such instances are entirely confined to the married women. These
are, in their conversation a