"‘In the first place, they were thus elevated in their antiquity beyond the Christian scriptures, the writings of Moses having been called the productions of yesterday, compared with those of the brahmins [...] the primitive religion of the Hindoos, it was said, revealed the most sublime doctrines, and inculcated a pure morality. [...] Many an object appears beautiful when seen at a distance, and through a mist; but when the fog has dispersed, and the person has approached it, he smiles at the deception. Such is the exact case with these books [Vedas, Bhagavadgita, Ramayana], and this system of idolatry.’"