and the proceedings were always carried on with the greatest regularity. Where sentence of death was recorded, as in murders, the judgment was translated by me, with the evidence and defence, and forwarded, through the Resident, to the Governor-General for confirmation; and I had not one instance of disapproval to record. Cases involving fine and imprisonment, with hard labour or without it, I used to try myself. No law had ever existed in Shorapoor, nor even the semblance of a court of justice, civil or criminal. Ordinary civil suits were tried by civil punchayets not limited to five members, and there were but few appeals to me from their decisions.

The population of the principality by census was about 500,000, or 130 to the square mile. The town itself and its suburbs 30,000.

In

The public dispensary and hospital at Shorapoor were very useful, and medicines were dispensed under the orders of the apothecary attached to the staff. visitations of cholera, medicines were sent out into the districts, and competent persons despatched in charge. of them. Vaccination made great progress at Shorapoor; and in the country I myself was the chief operator, my tents being surrounded every morning by crowds of women and children so long as my supplies of lymph lasted or could be obtained.

My school at Shorapoor was well attended, and both Mahratta and Teloogoo, with Persian to Mussulman boys, were well taught. I had even a few English scholars, some of whom turned out well. In the districts there were plenty of schools, where Canarese and Mahratta were taught; and to these I gave small grants in aid, and books which were used in the schools of the British provinces.

1853.]

SUCCESSFUL UNDERTAKINGS.

237

I have already spoken of what I had begun and done in public works. The lake at Bohnal was a complete success, and had repaid the money spent upon it several times over. The other irrigation works were incomplete, and there was but small hope that the Rajah would carry them on, although he promised very faithfully to do so. One grand scheme I formed-that of diverting the waters of the river Krishna from their bed, and bringing them through most part of the principality for irrigation purposes-had to be abandoned for want of funds, though perfectly practicable, as I had ascertained by levels.

I had made and cleared many roads, one of which extended to Linsoogoor, through a wild and rocky tract, for 36 miles, and opened up traffic between Shorapoor and the south.

I had planted many thousand mango and tamarind trees about the town and elsewhere, intended both for ornament and produce. When I left, the road to the Krishna, six miles in length, was bordered on each side. by a double row of fine young trees, which gave ample promise of fruit. All these undertakings were gradually accomplished without distressing the revenue in any way; indeed there were ample funds for all such contingencies.

I have not the final returns of the revenue at hand to refer to, but I know that it was nearly if not quite doubled; and with the average liberal expenditure, there was a surplus of a lakh and a half. There were no debts whatever now, and I think, when I made over charge to the Rajah, that the State possessed every element of comfort and independence that could insure prosperity; but there was small hope of its continuance.

Even in the brief period that had already elapsed the Rajah had spent every anna he found in the treasury, had not paid the stipendiaries, and had only the usual year's revenue to look to. My warnings on this point had been quite fruitless.

I need say little of myself. Since my great sorrow I had led a cheerless, lonely life; no society, no one to speak to from first to last, except the very rare visit of a friend or traveller. The palace children often came to see me, and loved to hold their dolls' feasts among my flowers with their playmates. Native friends would come up in the evenings, and a game of chess with one or other often followed. In the country, the village authorities would gather round to hear of England and the world beyond India, of which they had no conception whatever. Sometimes travelling minstrels or singers, accredited from other courts, such as Mysore, Baroda, Gwalior, or elsewhere, arrived, and the State hospitality was exercised, and performances given and attended, and on these occasions I gave my parties.

Neighbouring "lairds" had to be received and entertained, for Shorapoor had to maintain its character for hospitality and kindly feeling to those adjoining it.

My books were my constant delight, and with these and my telescope, a fine Dollond, I had always plenty of occupation. I read up Herschel, and other works on astronomy, to enable me to understand something of what I saw. Night after night I have thus wandered about those glorious fields of the heavens, ever new, ever resplendent, leading thought irresistibly into the Infinite. I could not go on with literary work, as, at the day's close, my brain was generally wearied out. My work was seldom less than twelve hours a-day, with

1853.]

EXPERIENCE OF NATIVE LIFE.

239

little variation, so to write was impossible; but I felt I was gaining more and more real knowledge of native life and character, under circumstances that fall to the lot of very few Englishmen, and that, hereafter, if life were spared, I might turn my experience to good account. I kept up voluminous private correspondence, particularly with my father; and this, with my usual letters to the 'Times,' official reports and translations, and occasional articles for the Indian press, were all I could manage to get through in my busy life. I was very thankful for the many blessings given me, and tried to discourage the feeling of utter loneliness that would at times oppress me.

Ten years of my life were given to Shorapoor-a blank to me in many respects as regarded intellectual intercourse and literary progress; but yet, with all its drawbacks, more interesting than the dull routine of a small cantonment.

Now they had passed over, and a new phase of my life was opening before me in an enlarged and more important sphere of action. Through all danger, through all illnesses and weariness and trials, I had been mercifully preserved and tenderly protected, and was grateful to God for His great mercies-praying that in the future they might be continued unto me.

240

CHAPTER XIII.

1853-57.

ALTHOUGH Suffering from a severe attack of acute rheu matism, I, with my assistant, Lieut. Cadell, pressed on to Sholapoor, where it was necessary that I should meet the Collector, who congratulated me very heartily on my appointment to the district, which joined his own, and we could work together with good accord, and looked forward to much pleasant intercourse from time to time.

My assistant had no knowledge whatever, or experience, in civil affairs; but I thought it best to place him at once in a prominent position, and to give him general directions which, as he was very clever and willing, I thought would suffice. I therefore made over to him part of the small establishment I had collected, and directed him to take possession of all the ceded districts which lay along the left bank of the Seenah river, between it and the range of hills that formed the “ Bálá Ghât," or upper portion of the whole province; and with an escort of cavalry he set out to do what he could.

Fortunately the cession had been made at the close of the financial year, so there was no confusion of demand and account between the outgoing administration