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OF THE HINDUS.
The deviation from ancient times and practices which marks the recurrence of the Vernal Festival among the Hindus themselves, renders it far from surprising that we should fail to find an exact accordance, in all respects, between the Indian observance, as now followed, and that which has prevailed in other seasons and places, with respect to celebrations, the general purport and character of which present probable analogies. We have no right to look for a minute agreement, but it can scarcely be doubted, that there were festivals among the Romans, and that there are even yet observances in Europe which express a similar intention, and originated in the same feelings, and which are, possibly, as well as the Hindu Holí, reliques of what was once the universal method adopted by mankind to typify the genial influence of Spring upon both the inanimate and animated creation, and to express the passionate feelings inspired by the season, and the delight which the revival of nature diffused.
The season of Spring began with the Romans, as with the Hindus, as has been observed, early in the year, on the fifth of the Ides of February; between this and the middle of March different festivals occur,
"Notice sur les fêtes populaires des Hindous". Paris: 1834, p. 38-46, and his "Histoire de la Littérature Hindoui et Hindoustani", I, 549 f. See also Chrestomathie Hindoustani. Paris: 1847, p. 122. Price's Hindee and Hindoostanee Selections. Calcutta: 1827, I, 250 and 276, and the articles Dolah and IIoláká in the Sabdakalpadruma, p. 1442-6, and p. 7230 f.]
