s practised crucifixion as a punishment, and
"may have imitated the Assyrians, as crucifixion may have been adopted long
before that of Christ and the two thieves (Qy. robbers)." Crucifixion
appears to have been in use from a very remote period, but was never
adopted by the Jews. The Romans, who with all their greatness were an
atrociously cruel people, employed it as the peculiar and appropriate
punishment of delinquent slaves. Christ was "crucified under Pontius
Pilate," the Roman Procurator of Judea, at a time when that country had
become subject to the Romans, and its rulers could say, "It is not lawful
for us to put any man to death."

3. When H. N. refers to "the advocates of conversion and their itinerant
agents," it is difficult to perceive exactly what he intends, except "to
hint a fault and hesitate dislike." But before a writer undertakes to cast
a reflection on those great societies who have been labouring--not by
coercion, but by instruction and persuasion, by the circulation of the
scriptures and the preaching of the Gospel--to substitute Christianity for
idolatry among those who are under the government of Great Britain, he
should well understand the grounds of his censures, so as to be able "to
explain to the conversionists that, unless this doctrine be openly refuted,
the missionaries may in truth be fighting their own shadow." {546}

How then has H. N. explained the doctrine which they are to refute--the
meaning of the "cross and basilica" in India? The only witness in proof of
it has disappeared "by falling into a volcanic crater." He himself
professes to be quite ignorant of cathedral architecture and the English
government, and English gentlemen generally, who have shamefully secreted
such a treasure, are equally ignorant. Why had they not consulted the
living Church of Hindooism, and shown it a little sympathy and respect with
a view to getting enlightened? Whereas "the little they do know is derived
from books." Farther, "the elder civilians, men of ability, classical
scholars, and first-rate Asiatic linguists," when assembled in that very
building, though they descanted on the sanctity of the place, "not one of
them knew nor remarked the 'cross and basilica.'" And when visiting the
great temple of Benares, H. N. does not recollect that the cross was either
noticed to him or by him.

It may be true that when the Hindoo "system of government existed in
efficiency, there was neither crime nor punis