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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 19, 6 February 1891, Page 29

The German Catholic papers have been calling attention to the negligent way in which the French protectorate of the Holy Places in Palestine has been exercised in late years, and assert that Russia has been allowed to make serious encroachments upon the rights possessed by the Critholics for centuries. The Kaukao-i-Hind says: — All over India the bonds of caste are loosening, and the Hindus are drawing nearer to Christians. In Poona a number of Hindus of various high castes have banded together for mutual protection, with the avowed purpose o f eating together and enjoying a social meal in company with their fatmliep. Cases of similar character are occurring in all parts of India. In Shahjftbeapur, a native official high op in Government service accepted the 'social civilities of an English magistrate at tiffia ; he does not fear the hatred of his caste and will not pay the penalty ; hia relatives are ostracised but they are encouraged by a Rajah of considerable influence, in Bareilly nearly one.-half, of the adult members of a prominent caste mutually agreed to break down caste rule, and use English-made jams and biscuits ; the conservative part of the caite outcasted the advanced part, but no harm has come to them for they are able to help their own fellaws. Native gentlemen earnestly long for freedom to partake of the civilities offered at the dining table of English officers. This desire is not based on religious grounds, but it will wondei fully open up the way for vital Christianity. A writer must surely be in a very optimistic frame of mind when he imagines that the way for Christianity will ba wonderfully opened up as soon hs a native official condescends to accept the social civilities of an English magistrate at tiffin, or when half a prominent cabte so outrage Hindu decorum as to use Huptley and Palmer's biscuits, Morton's jams or Keller's marmalade I We are not very much surprised to learn that native gentlemen earnestly long for freedom to partake of the hospitality of English officers ; we should, indeed, be astonished to hear that the desire wa9 based on religious grounds. The connexion between a relish for a substantial tiffia or a whiskey peg and an anxiety to embrace '' vital Christianity " ia we confess, noc very obvious to us. But then we, unfortunately, lack that clearness of spiritual vision possessed by our Grant Bead brother, i — Bombay Catholic Examiner.