were in simplest native fashion, bareheaded and barefooted and otherwise lightly clad, their bodies from the waist upwards being only partially protected by muslin shawls.  They had preferred to retain their national dress and manners; and in this respect they presented a marked contrast to the delegates from Bengal.  Some of these appeared in entirely European costume, while others could easily be recognised as Bengalis by the peculiar cap with a flap behind which they had donned.  None of them wore the gold rings or diamond pendants which adorned the ears of some of the Madrassees; nor had they their foreheads painted like their more orthodox and more conservative brethren from the Southern presidency.  There were Hindustanis from Delhi, Agra, and Lucknow, some of whom wore muslin skull-caps and dresses chiefly made of the same fine cloth.  There were delegates from the North-West—­bearded, bulky, and large-limbed men—­in their coats and flowing robes of different hues, and in turbans like those worn by Sikh soldiers.  There were stalwart Sindhees from Karachee wearing their own tall hat surmounted by a broad brim at top instead of bottom.  In the strange assemblage were to be observed the familiar figures of Banyas from Gujarat, of Mahrattas in their cart-wheel turbans, and of Parsees in their not very elegant head-dress, likened to a slanting roof.  Assembled in the same hall, they presented a variety of costumes and complexions scarcely to be witnessed except at a fancy ball.”  Now and again, we may add, a speaker expresses himself in a vernacular, and with the inborn Indian courtesy and patience the assembly will listen; but the language of the motley gathering is English; the address of the president and his rulings are in English; the protests, claims, and resolutions of the Congress are in English.  For in the sphere of politics, the new national feeling confessedly looks to Britain for ideals.  Apologies for India’s social customs and for her religious ideas and ideals are not wanting in India at the present time, for in matters social and religious, as we shall see, the political reformers are often ardently conservative, or pro-Indian at least.  But in the sphere of politics it is the complete democratic constitution of Britain that looms before India’s leaders.  Britons can view with sympathy the rise of the national feeling as the natural and inevitable fruit of contact with Britain and of education in the language of freedom, and even although the new problems of Indian statesmanship may call forth all the powers of British statesmen.  Like a young man conscious of noble lineage and of great intellectual power, New India, brought up under Britain’s care, is loudly asserting that she can now take over the management of the continent which Britain has unified and made what it is.