Page:Adams - Essays in Modernity.djvu/207

Rh better sort—the 'Legend of the Foreign Office,' which explains why Rustum Beg, the Rajah of Kolazai, loves 'simpkin' (Anglicè, champagne) and brandy, squanders his revenues, and vexes a Government which is tender and kind, and 'also—but this is a detail—blind.'

'Rustum Beg of Kolazai—slightly backward native state— Lusted for a C.S.I.—so began to sanitate. Built a Gaol and Hospital—nearly built a city drain— Till his faithful subjects all thought their ruler was insane.

'Strange departures made he then—yea, Departments stranger still, Half a dozen Englishmen helped the Rajah with a will, Talked of noble aims and high, hinted of a future fine For the State of Kolazai, on a strictly Western line.

'Rajah Rustum held his peace; lowered octroi dues a half; Organised a State Police; purified the Civil Staff: Settled cess and tax afresh in a very liberal way; Cut temptations of the flesh—also cut the Bukhshi's pay;

'Roused his Secretariat to a fine Mahratta fury, By a Hookum hinting at supervision of dasturi; Turned the State of Kolazai very nearly upside down; When the end of May was nigh waited his achievements' crown.

'Then the Birthday Honours came. Sad to state and sad to see. Stood against the Rajah's name nothing more than C.I.E.!

Things were lively for a week in the State of Kolazai. Even now the people speak of that time regretfully.