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to the grade of manial or cock. Now, such a state of affairs would be impossible in Europe, and marks the enormous divergence of social customs"
The next mistake that I must refer to concerns the women of my country. This mistake is many sided and time will not permit me to consider it in detail. In a general way it may be stated, thus:
The women of India, from time immemorial, have been and are, the abject slaves of their bus. bands, without rights, without privileges, without education, without authority, and even ( as I have beard said ) without souls, except perbaps as they may blindly serve the whims, the behests and the lasts of their masters. To all this statement and to every particular definition that may be given to it, I am proud and honored to interpose a downright denial. I do not mean by this that woman's place and work in India are the same as I am led to be lieve as are found in this country: whether lower or higher or equal, in a genuine sense, I will not attempt to decide. In the Vedic times, as may be learned from the numerous hymns, many of them composed by women, & pleasing picture of woman's estate may be seen. In that carly age the father of the family was the priest, and his home was the temple. The Sacred flaine was kindled in every house and the hymns were chanted with simplicity and devotion by the entire family. When Sacrifices were
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