The Priests had also thrown around the Superstition the same jargon, and kept up the requisition for a _degree_--as if any true morality and worship were necessarily connected with a _literature_, denounced by themselves as impure and _pagan_! Notwithstanding these ignorant and selfish abuses, it was impossible to make the acquisition of even such narrow learning wholly useless. It was narrow, and even hurtful, by being perverted to selfish ends, and preventing honest and independent research. Still, it did work upon some minds to better use; and it gradually evolved a better learning, when the Ancient Literature really worked in free and broader channels. The High-Castes are less indifferent to literary attainments; and learning, in a more comprehensive sense, is becoming more esteemed. It is no longer limited to verbal knowledge; to ancient, dead forms--though these are still so paramount that, if a man were to be the wisest and most learned of mankind, and was deficient in these, he could not receive a _Degree_--he would be unlearned!
Useful, true and honest knowledge, outside the great Halls of Learning, is making some advance; though _in them_, the old, pedantic, and superstitious notions yet prevail. The new _Literati_, founders of a larger and truer teaching, endeavour with difficulty to get some respect and honour to attach to the _degrees_ which they timidly register. The High-Caste, in general, disregard this better knowledge, and adhere to the old Superstitions and traditions--regarding that man only as learned who has the ancient badge; though, to any useful purpose, a fool.
The High-Caste also stupidly support the old preparatory schools; and will not, if they can help it, suffer any of the Lower-Caste to enter them.
In these, the barbarous customs continue; if one goes into them, he is at once carried backwards into the _dark ages_ (as even the Barbarians call them); ages, when the Priests had all the Learning--wretched as it was--and when the _Superstition_ coloured and directed everything. Here, the dead tongues are the chief studies, with something of the ancient _puzzles_ as to Lines and Points--for the most part useless--with a style of administration fitted to the savage brutality of those times. The only part of the training cared for by the youths, is that which developes the forces of the body. The disgusting _Ring Fight_, referred to elsewhere, is a common pastime; and the lad is a milksop [kou-ad] who really avoids the rude crowd, and wishes to study. To be respected he must fight his way, and be feared. If, by chance, some lad of the Lower-Caste be entered, by the foolish wish of the father to bring the son into the _polished_ circle of the High-Caste, he will be _polished off_ (as these young Barbarians say), in a manner never dreamed of. The poor lad will be beaten, humiliated, and driven from the School; unless, indeed, he be strong enough to bully and beat his tormentors!