India and the Indians

ctuality. Christianity only a partial cure. Servants and punctuality. Indi

appointments, or to do work at the proper time. The Indian takes long to understand, and never appreciates, the Englishman's craze for punctuality. Because the E

Neighbour, His Sons

ations, and English drivers and guards on most passenger trains are, at present, a necessity. Subordinates, working under English supervision, are oblig

ss having to wait more than ten minutes near a wretched little country station in the early morning, the driver whistling frantically before the slumbering master, who was the only station official, could be roused to lower the signal. When at last the train moved slowly past the station I saw this Indian official in

ght delay, but that we should very soon be off. He sat talking till 8.45, and then said he would go and expedite matters. He returned in about half an hour, and asked whether after all it might not be better if we went in the Mission tonga. But as that was not available, he said that it was of no consequence, because his own carriage would be ready almost directly. At about a quarter to ten I went over to see what our prospects were, and he then said that he thought

city of clocks, and that when these became more numerous and better understood there might be some improveme

is never be c

y never,

til Christianity teaches

unctual," he said, "in our engagements with English people because we find that they expect it of us. But we shall nev

the services in the church, said, "We also have our fixed times for our obse

in country districts. Service begins when a sufficient number of people have arrived. The bell is very little guide, because when it has been rung and nobody comes, it is rung again. A few people turn up much too early. A few more arrive just as service is over. The rest have straggled in at in

not ring precisely at the moment, one of the house-boys is sure quickly to appear before whoever is responsible, and will say reproachfully, "Time is finished." Or, if the response to the bell for meals is not immediate, he will come and say sternly, "The bell has r

nce by the irregular way in which they come home to meals. Not only has the wife the trouble of trying to keep the dinner h

ow ready." This is what actually takes place in connection with most Indian feasts. The invitation is for a certain hour. But the chance of the meal being ready at that time is very remote. Hence it is u

a period which may extend even to hours. It is to be feared that English guests invited to a dinner-party at seven, and having to w