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ladies on the slides were pronounced inferior to the beauties of Hundes , who have faces like the hippopotamus iii the Zoological Gardens . The resources of the country for grazing are considerable ; there are gems and minerals deserving of notice , and there are great capabilities of trade , but the whole matter requires the closer attention of the G overnment to secure the trade and access to Thibet . As yet , very few Englishmen have approached this district , but the description given in the Friend of India will lead thither other explorers ,
and in time , as the nature of the country is better known andinterepurse is cultivated , the condition of the scanty population will be improved , and the country will be made available for occupation . Such is only one of many like regions in the Himalayas , and the writer ends with the wish that when England recovers from that dread of the responsibilities of her position in the world—that fear of . acquiring territory , which is at present an unreasoning mania — -when England enters on her share of the Anglo-Saxon heritages of Asia , may she find a band of pioneers in the hunters who have passed the snows . Many will echo this ' wish .
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THE PROCLAMATION . The Proclamation , however considered , marks an epoch in the history of India , a period which was being slowly reached , which was inevitable , and which , marks a bold distinction between the past and the future of India and of England ; we say of England , because England is affected as well as India , not so exclusively , not to so great a degree , but still to such an extent as will influence our progress and leave its record in the history of our nation . India had hitherto been a country under an exceptional government , marked out from the rest of the empire , ruled by special administrators , secluded from the operation of the general laws ,
closed , it may be said , to the men , the manners , and the institutions of the metropolitan country . It was a land marked as a land of conquest , because intercourse , and familiarity , and the mutual interchange of customs and of institutions had not taken place with the conquered ; and nothing , perhaps , has more given to the English the ungracious attributes of a conquering race than this seclusion of India and this segregation of its population . The haughtiness was that of the Roman , but there was no native who ceuld be as proud , and say , ' * I too am a Roman citizen , I too can appeal to Cscsar and the Senate !"
abode of the English race , having fertile snots which industry can make productive , having bleak and barren districts , where mineral wealth will afford em p loyment , or to which the construction of roads will bring the traffic'of the far interior ; having lands which tempt the immigrant , and will become in time the scats of free English communities , watching over the safety of India , sheltering her growing liberties , fostering her political education , stimulating her moral , social , and material progress . Such a destiny as this brings with it to England' its own reward .
It is in this development of our own population that we shall find our own safeguard , for we shall have no fear that India will be a drain , on our resources , or afford means of corrupting our home institutions , when we have a community established there competent for its own protection and that of its allies . There is another consideration which has not presented itself during the discussions on the change of government , but it is one which will soon make itself appreciated . The small community of settlers in India , the representatives of the press , has already shown how powerful it is in its influence on the local authorities , on public opinion at home , and as an instrument of
government : and we may foresee how powerful this element will become with the rapid growth of the number of English residents in India , having no longer a temporary stake in the country , but permanent interests . With regard to the Proclamation , it has had in view the double purpose of appealing to public opinion in England and in India , and it has not failed in either respect . It is plain , straightforward , and statesmanlike , doing credit to its author , and affording fresh ground for confidence in . his administration of the empire of India . It is not a document of suppressions and equivocations , but iii its entirety and in its every part is marked with an even tenor of trustworthiness which will win the
convictions of all to whom it is addressed . 1 he period , too , was well chosen for offering , clemency to the rebels , because the mercy offered by the new empire at the height of her greatness and her triumph , and when the meanest of her subjects may be offered pardon and allowed enjoyment , cannot be construed to . be a concession extorted fro in weakness . Such a measure adds grace to the occasion , and gives a fresh guarantee of the earnest disposition of the Government .
These exceptional circumstances have now been abolished , and , the exceptional Government is at an end , for such is the real effect of the Proclamation , although its fruits cannot be at once shown by a stroke of magic , nor the relics of the past be suddenly effaced by the creations of the present . India must henceforth be looked upon as a set of Crown colonies in preparation for the stage of municipal institutions and of ministerial and responsible government , and this alone is a great omen for the ad vancement of India . What Canada has become w thin a few years—what the Cape colonies have become within a few months—what
Ceylon , within sight of India , has become by means of freer gover nment , is known to all of us ; and India will reap the same benefits . TJhe Hindoo has something to look forward to beyond subjection under the cold shado of conquest , Ho lias , what he will soon learn to prize , a share in the empire , to the prosperity ot which his own country so largely contributes . Kow this is an abstract right , which the multitude do not feel , and which a few
merchants and landowners alone experience , but which will make its own impression as it becomes known , by material prosperity ; by the greater wealth and comfort of individuals , districts , and communities ; by their exemption from peculation and oppression ; by the growing feeling of independence ; and by the nobler aspirations of tho rising generation , loss heedful of the dark' past , legs timid , loss suspicious , and move confident in
the bright present , nnd having no misgivings as to the future opening to them with promise . If throughout the vast populations of India a now era is thus inaugurated , to the thinly peopled regions of tho mountains nnd their valleys a time of greater promiso is foretokened . Tho barriers of prejudice arc now broken down , nnd India is thrown open to us . She promises to England tho occupation of countries , 'vnrious in their situation , but in their aggregate qovoviug more than two hundred thousand sauaro miles , suited for tho
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have made more progress , the commissioner !^ superintendents will be created lieutenant-govern I with a legislative council , as in the other colonies A most interesting account has been published f a small colony of native Christian fugitives frnm persecution , established by Mr . Williams in th Dehra-Dhoon , on . a most eligible plantation wiJ ™ lie proposes to carry on the tea and coffee cultivation The population is now sixty-six , and has ' bJn brought there by a small subscription of the r-i dents of Mussoorie . A chaplain and good school master are much wanted . The population are en " ployed in agriculture—a solid base for such -i settlement .
Dr . Walker , who has been sent to the Andaman Islands , to superintend the establishment of convict Sepoys , is determined to create a new colony , lie has had Chatham Island and Ross Island clear ed of jungle , and he intends to form his free settlement on Mouatt Island , which is separated from the penal settlement by an isthmus . He invites immigrants from the Madras coast , the people of which emigrate to the Mauritius , Ceylon , and the West Indies . The French Government are endeavouring to obtain the acknowledgment of the French West Indies as a place for the emigration of Madras coolies but
it is hoped stringent regulations will be made to secure their proper treatment and due return . In the English West Indies the coolies are protected as English subjects , but under the arbitrary despotism of the French courts they might be oppressed , and an English officer should be maintained in such countries as their protector . The return of the emigrants with their earnings is the premium by means of which the large emigration from the Madras Presidency has been developed ; and which is communicating a spirit of energy to the local population .
From Assam we learn that this year ' s crop of tea is estimated at considerably over a million of pounds , and fresh land is being planted , on which the young plants look healthy . The grain crops are good , nad in Lower Assam there are gond rice crops . The great want is labour and means of transport . ' On the grand' artery , the Burranipooter , a towboat is the only means of journeying eleven hundred miles . Well may the people modestly pray for a steamer or two to convey themselves and their produce . News ha 3 been received from Bulkh in Central Asia that in September some Russian officers had arrived in Oorgunge and taken up their abode in the town . One of them was encamped on the river , and was surveying the roads and the river . The Ameer of Cabul communicated tlii ' s to the English author !
NOTES ON INDIAN PROGRESS . From the Darjeeling district it is announced that another tea plantation is to be established at Hope Town . At Darjeeling a branch committee is being established to co-operate with the Society for the Promotion of English Settlement in India . Petitions are likewise being got up in favour of the Northern Bengal Railway' at Darjeoling , and they are moving the Calcutta people to the like step . At present the cost of carrying some stores twenty-five miles was 25 / ., more than the whole cost from London to Calcutta .
The Darjeeling people are very anxious just now for the decision of the Government of India relative to the terms on which they aro to be allowed to hold land there , and which is keeping back operations . Hitherto they have been allowed * ° take large grants of uncleared lands on most liberal terms , and many are holding on . in the expectation that when the emigration sets in they will dispose of land lots at advantageous prices . In consequence of some remarks at homo about the supposed humidity of the Dnrjeoling district , wo have been wri t ten to by a lending soltler to state that the humidity is confined to tho sub-Himalayan district , and that as tho snows aro approached tho climate is drier , tho atmosphere more bracing , and not much colder than in tho sub-Himalayas , indeed not so cold .
Alarm as to tho future proceedings of tho Nopauleae is not altogether allayed , and a strong dosiro is expressed for roinforcements-Some concern was expressed in Dnrjecling lost they ahoukl bo deprived of the valuable services of the eminent man under whoso direction as superintendent the colony has grown to its present importance , as Dr . Archibald Campbell was pointod out in thu Calcutta papers as tho intended successor to Major Ramsny in tho important post of President at Nepaul . It was natural for the Government to make suoli a choice of a man best suited for tho duties , but the loss to Darjeoling would bo very groat . Hopes are entertained in ' some quarters that when ttlmla , Darjcolincr , Kumaon , and other lull districts ,
ties at Peshawur . The Simla news is that Mr . F . Peterson has been appointed a municipal commissioner for tlie town in the place of Mr . Barrett . Leave of absence lor Simla had been given to Lieut . G . A . A . Baker , and Lieutenant F . N . Dew , 88 th Foot . Captain Wood , 14 th Bengal Native Infantry , lias been appointed to do duty with the convalescent depot at Murree . . . T . . For the Neilgherries learehas boon given to Liyut .-Colonel j . K . Brown , Captain A . L . Tweedio , Lieut . R . S . Grsiv , Madras Rifles , Lieut . R . G . Lewis , Lieut . T . R . Church , and Lieut F . G . Powles . 1 st Guards
Assistant-Surgeon Davidson , Dragoon , has been appointed to the medical charge ol lie convalescent depot at Jackatalla in the Neilghornes . Tho effect of increased energy in India makes itself evident in various ways . One proof ol is is the increase of intelligence in the overland ^ 1 idwj papers . Tho Overland Krknd of India has iu » HjJ enlarged to that extent , that it comprises 11 jo matter of the Friend of India , except the extrac a . a tho advertisements . Tho price , postage included , "Ko ^ Tow * Tcle rapH has been S tart , l to give news from China , and tho country Singapore and Japan , in consequent * of our gro « j > b intercourse with those districts . _ .. _ ,.
Tho FriehTof India affirms that «» j / n ^ X uut mentsnre making great exertions for curry v such public improvements as can bo supplied » itu out costly outlay or great change . unvn , \ ilio Tho coinage of tho Nizam is b «»> ff » V SiS name of tho Kings of Delhi bping removed , jna ' of the founder of tho Nizam's dynasty subjti uu . This abolition of a mischievous io «» 19 "' . J n 0 of it would have boon much bettor , had tlio un » tho Queen been introduced . . __« ,. nt , irv-Mr . Forbes has been removed from tho . floeuH > ship of tho Dacca Hank . As he was veryswa oiw . ^ an actlvo public man , this has mudo a B «> 8 a "" ' gc j was one of tho ' Mahometan directors who \ m his removal . . .,, „ . hisiirns of Great alarm exists in Tirhoot as to t o ( WJ J p | ot ( Jung Bahaddor . Thoy ljellovo that tliur " flr | ft in which there uro no troons , Is ono < h
selected for hie operations . . . „ good In Purnoali the indigo season hue not boon h ^ ono . Tho planters thoro nro likewise 'u rl ,. , to Jung Bahiidoor ; but tho Government In »««
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1360 T H E Ii E A P E B . [ No . 455 , December 1 l , is 58
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 11, 1858, page 1360, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2272/page/24/
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