There is one emperor. There is no emperor, and
the English govern the country.
There is one language. There are many.
They use chairs, and tables, They sit and sleep on mats.
and beds.
They eat with chop-sticks. They eat with their fingers.
They wear shoes. They go barefoot, and wear
sandals.
The men shave their heads The men twist up their
except one lock. hair with a comb.
They seldom wash themselves. They bathe often.
They eat pigs more than They abhor pigs.
any other meat.
They are grave and silent. They are merry and talkative.
They are industrious. They are idle.
The most learned rise to be Every one is high and low
great men. according to his caste.
They mind the laws. They care not for laws.
The land is well cultivated. There is much waste land,
and many jungles.
Now let us consider in what respects they are _alike_.
China and Hindostan are alike in these respects. They are both very
_populous_, though China has twice as many inhabitants as Hindostan.
In both rice is the chief food.
In both large grown-up families live together.
In both the women are shut up.
In both foreigners are hated.
In both conjurers are admired.
In both many idols are worshipped.
In both there are ancient sacred books.
In both the people are deceitful, unmerciful to the poor, and in the
habit of destroying their own little girls when babies.
In both it is believed that the soul after death goes into another body,
and is born over and over again into this world.
Is it not mournful to think that more than half the people in the world
have no bright hope to cheer a dying bed? One poor Hindoo was heard to
exclaim as he was dying, "Where shall I go _last_ of all?" He asked a
wise question. He wanted to know where, after having been born ever so
many times, he should be put for _ever_ and _ever_. That is the great
point we all want to know. But the Hindoo and the Chinaman cannot know
this: they have never heard of _everlasting_ happiness.