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ANAM. 353
" A more direct engine," continues ]\Ir. Finlayson,
" than that of religion itself, has modified, if not formed,
the moral character of the people ; it is that of an
avaricious, illiberal, and despotic government, the effect
of which, so sedulously pursued through a course of
ages, it is melancholy and revolting to human nature
to contemplate. It has involved the whole body of the
people in perpetual and insurmountable poverty; it
has debased the mind ; it has destroyed every generous
feeling ; it has crushed in the bud the early aspirations
of genius ; it has cast a blasting influence over
every attempt at improvement. Such being the character
of the government, it will not appear surprising
that the moral character of the people should in many
respects be brutalised. What is defective in their
character, has been occasioned by perpetual slavery and
oppression ; yet, notwithstanding all this, they dis-
play traits of moral feeling, ingenuity, and acuteness,
which, under a liberal government, would seem capable
of raising them to an elevated rank amongst nations.
But they are perpetually reminded of the slavery under
which they exist ; the bamboo is constantly at work, and
every petty paltry officer, every wretch who can claim
precedence over another, is at liberty to inflict lashes
on those under him. But the tameness with which
they submit to this degrading discipline, alike applicable
to the people as to the military, is the most
extraordinary circumstance. Their obedience is unlimited,
nor do they, by word or by action, manifest the
slightest resistance to the arbitrary decisions of tlieir
tyrants. It will not appear surprising that this system
should render them cunning, timid, deceitful, and
regardless of truth ; that it should make them con-
ceited, impudent, clamorous, assuming, arid tyrannical,
where they imagine they can be so with impunity.