importance that the sense of the English conmunity should be in favour of the latter, and that they should give their zealous co-operation in the suppression of it. That a few discontented Englishmen may sow the seeds of rebellion, and exasperate the feelings of the native population against our rule, was demonstrated the other day at Ceylon. There can be little doubt that the Cingalese would never have risen in revolt, had they not originally been incited by the suggestions of evil-disposed Englishmen. However little chance there may be of such a co-operation being necessary to the Executive, however trivial the assistance our scattered fellow-countrymen could furnish, it is better, depend upon it, that they should be favourably disposed. The power of an individual Englishman to do mischief by misrepresenting the acts and motives of Government, is inconceivable.

In the name of those English planters, who with the full conviction that they would remain in the enjoyment of their constitutional bulwarks, purchased possessions in India and settled there, in the name of the English Constitution itself, we enter our solemn protest against these illegal enactments. That they only involve a necessary adaptation of Englishmen to the laws and customs of India, we deny.

Depreciation of property must be a necessary consequence. The planter will not obtain the same price for ground that he gave, and conse

quently will be a sufferer in purse. What Englishman will be insane enough to purchase land in a country where there is no security for life or property, where if a man should chance to fall under the displeasure of a Judge, because he did not accord him the respect of a salutation as he passed along the road, he may be transported to Botany Bay by the same Judge on the false evidence of his cook, whom he had whipped the day before for purloining three eggs out of four which he had given him for a pudding.

The planter seldom passes a day without coming into collision with the native. There is a native ready to prefer a claim to every piece of ground in India; therefore, there is eternal squabbling. The native, inflamed by passion, will now destroy his adversary by process of law. To escape from a country beset with so many evils, will be the object of every one. The flight of all Englishmen, aye, such a consummation, will tally exactly with the wishes of the Indian Government.

Why there should be such strong opposition to European colonization, is not easy of solution. In our opinion the more English settlers in India the better. They would set examples of industry, and teach the natives useful trades. By association with them, they would illustrate how beneficially the truths of Christianity operate in the formation of character. We cannot agree with Sir John Malcolm in his low estimate of the character of

That

the English planters. They are an industrious, honest, and intelligent set, and deserving of every consideration at the hands of Government. the natives should assert their claim to every inch of ground, and their claims as often false as not, should be respected with such scrupulosity, is absurd and attributable only to craven fear. That there is room for the introduction of many colonists in India, is certain, without any arbitrary encroachment on the rights of the natives. It is a well known fact, that the more you indulge the prejudices and caprices of the natives, the more they will exact. That they do not appreciate this forbearance on the part of the Government is notorious. We do not confine our charge of false policy against the Company to this subject, but extend it to that most vital question, the propagation of Christianity. Their apathy on this point is objectionable in the extreme. We do not impeach them of apathy only, but of absolute opposition to the spread of our religion. What greater obstacle could they have opposed, than their prohibition of their clergymen attempting to make a single proselyte, on pain of dismissal. That the Company have a divine mission in India we hold; but up to this time what have they contributed to the accomplishment of this great end? But here is again that craven fear of offending the prejudices of the natives. We would be the last to

kindle a rebellion in India by a superfluity of religious zeal, but we would shew that we esteem our religion to be the true one and most beneficial to society.

Let it be proclaimed that, among candidates for official situations, those shall enjoy the preference who are acquainted with the English language, and then let a care be taken that the Bible be put into their hands at school.

Once more, in the name of the Englishmen in India, who are too few to command respect from the Calcutta authorities, -a small handful of men among thousands of soldiers,-in the name of British generosity and civilization, we call on the compassion of our fellow-countrymen, who sit at home at ease, to arouse itself. Let the English nation but espouse their cause, and every grievance is redressed. There is no exaggeration, or violation of truth in these pages. We are no planters; therefore do not write under the influence of passion or fear. We have, however, resided in India, and therefore can testify that this alienation of inalienable privileges has outraged the feelings of the whole English community there. There is scarcely a single British-born subject in India who does not pray from the bottom of his heart that the Queen's Ministry may assume the administration of the affairs of that country, and who does not associate with such assumption the restoration of his birth

I

right, and the amelioration of the intellectual and moral condition of the native.

In conclusion, if this humble production should engage the slightest degree of public notice, or stimulate an abler writer to send forth a more elaborate appeal in behalf of the sufferers, we shall receive ample compensation for any labour and trouble we may have incurred. If we have merely done the work of pioneers, we shall have the satisfaction of thinking that we have been instrumental in the conquest of the citadel; for we shall have opened the way to the assaults of more experienced and skilful men, who will carry to a successful termination our beginning of a glorious enterprise.

THE END.

NORMAN AND SKEEN, PRINTERS, MAIDEN LANE, COVENT GARDEN.