CHAPTER XXXII. EXPEDITION AGAINST THE GRACIAS: CAPTURE OF MANDWA, AND RESTORATION OF PEACE; WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE BHAUTS, SEERS, AND SIMILAR CHARACTERS IN GUZERAT. 1782. "NOORSHEERVAN, amidst the splendor of royalty, sought after the jewel of wisdom; and sent a philosopher in disguise, to make researches into the stores of knowledge in Hindostan. Mankind are often so subject to their corporeal senses, that they will not allow any thing to exist which they themselves have not felt; and are so governed by prejudice, that they will not believe any thing foreign that does not suit their own judgment: indolence induces them to forego the pains acquired in searching after knowledge, and they fall into a habit of imitation, without asking why or wherefore: hence a variety of evils are derived, and truth lies buried under a load of error. Thanks be unto God, who hath no equal, I neither condemn the ignorant; nor am I averse to praise those who know better." AYEEN AKBERY, |