Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 2) (London, 1832)

CONCLUSION. 423

that the people whose character, manners,
habits, and religion, 1. have taken upon me to
pourtray, may improve in their opinion by a
more intimate acquaintance.

In my attempt to delineate the Mussul-
mauns, I have been careful to speak as I have
found them, not allowing prejudice to bias my
judgment, either on the side of their faults or
virtues. But I deem it incumbent to state, that
my chief intimacy has been confined to the
most worthy of their community; and that the
character of a true Mussulmaun has been my
aim in description. There are people profes-
sing the faith without the principle, it is true;
but such persons are not confined to the Mus-
sulmaun persuasion; they are among every
class of worshippers, whether Jew or Gentile
throughout the world.

Of my long sojourn in the society of the
Mussulmauns of Hindoostaun, I need here but
remark, that I was received amongst them
without prejudice, and allowed the free us'age of
my European habits and religious principles
without a single attempt to bias or control me;