Descrizione

About The Book: We may premise that since the great mutinies, and, beyond all doubt, in consequence of them, the public opinion of England has taken a great turn in respect to our relations with the Princes of India. In the days of annexation it was the fashion to decry Native Governments; and Secretaries in Calcutta delighted to descant on the great iniquities of the Native Rulers, and to shower the most extravagant praise on the British administration, which they designated, in their stereotyped phraseology, ' a mild and paternal sway.' That was sheer diplomatic cant. The real and only aim of these officials was to enlarge our dominions, to increase patronage, and to add more regiments to our already enormous sepoy army; and the self-imposed task of these men and their masters, the Governors-Greneral, was to effect their unrighteous purpose with as little damage to their reputation as possible.