Page:Allan Octavian Hume, C.B.; Father of the Indian National Congress.djvu/191



{{c|{From the "Leader," of Allahabad, August 31, 1912)}}

Few people unconnected with Etawah can understand what Mr. Hume's name means in this city and district.

A brief narration of facts pertaining to his administration of ithe district will be an interesting reading and remind many of the name and glory he had already won as an able and sympathetic administrator long, long before he figured as a political leader.

The history of Etawah is inseparably associated with his name, and his memory will ever be cherished in the grateful hearts of its residents. He was a young man hardly twenty- six when he was put in charge of the responsible and onerous duties of the collector and magistrate of the dis- trict. A born administrator, endowed with a clear foresight, strong personality, determined will, undaunted courage, God-fearing, and indefatigable, he soon made his influence felt throughout the district and came to be respected and loved by the rich and poor alike. Peace, progress and reform followed his administration. There was " nothing but hopefulness and peace " in Etawah, when suddenly the Mutiny broke out. The condition of the district preceding the dark days of the Mutiny is thus very vividly described by Mr. Hume in his characteristic lucid and forcible style : —

"Never apparently had the prospects of the district been r so cheering ; crime was, and had been for the previous two