Spinoza, in the seventeenth century, and his unfortunately too numerous followers in this century, have recast into a hundred different moulds the pantheistic ideas of the Hindu philosophers, and offer to the intelligence of their hearers and readers, through an almost unintelligible language, the same deadly food which has finally produced on the Hindu mind the sad results which we witness. If we were better acquainted with the variety of doctrines which the Hindu philosophers have exhibited in the field of metaphysics, we would be soon convinced that the modern metaphysicians, who have placed themselves out of the pale of revelation, have not advanced one step in that science, and that the divergence in their opinions is but a faithful representation of the confusion which for more than two thousand years prevailed on the banks of the Ganges among their predecessors in the same speculative studies. It appears that Tsampooka was in his days what the Jogies or Hindoo penitents are up to our time. He remained on his rock, in the most difficult position, for the space of fifty-five years, exhibiting himself to the crowd, and aiming at winning their admiration by the incredible sufferings that he voluntarily submitted to. His apparent sanctity was made up of very doubtful materials. He passed himself off for a man who could remain without eating, and who was gifted with supernatural powers. Plain humility, which is nothing but the result of the true knowledge of self, was not the favourite virtue of our spiritual quack. CHAPTER IX. _A rich man of Thawattie, named Anatapein, becomes a convert -- Story of Dzewaha -- He cures Buddha of a painful distemper -- The people of Wethalie send a deputation to Buddha -- Digression on the manner Buddha daily spent his time -- Settling of a quarrel between the inhabitants of Kaulia and those of Kapilawot -- New converts are strengthened in their faith -- Thoodaudana's death in the arms of his son -- Queen Patzapati and many noble ladies are elevated to the rank of Rahaness -- Conversion of Kema, the first queen of King Pimpathara -- Heretics near Thawattie are confounded by the display of miraculous powers -- Buddha goes to the seat of Thawadeintha, to preach the law to his mother._