Page:Allan Octavian Hume, C.B.; Father of the Indian National Congress.djvu/192

 years, steadily decreasing ; the revenue flowed in without the necessity of recourse to a single coercive process ; public libraries and numerous schools gave rich promise of future progress ; new lines of communication were being rapidly opened out, the railroad was fast opening ; the great canal, with its daily multiplying branches, steadily diffused fertility, through an ever-widening area, and all classes of the community, though not of course without their minor grievances, were on the whole singularly happy and con- tented. Suddenly the Mutiny burst upon us, effacing apparently in a day the labour of years" (p. 148 of the Gazetteer). With the spread of the Mutiny in the neighbour- ing district the situation here became extremely critical. Mr. Hume's energetic measures, wise counsel, determined attitude, with which the history of the district is replete, dispersed and quieted down the rebels; and "in a few days the most perfect order was restored." During his tem- porary absence which the subsequent circumstances and his own " prostration with cholera " had forced upon him, he "kept up a continuous correspondence with the Indian officials and the well-disposed zemindars, communicating news and orders, deciding all difficult points referred to him, and endeavouring by proclamations and letters to keep alive every feeling of loyalty to the State." And even those who were rebelliously inclined were kept within bound by letters from Mr. Hume. He had been as anxious to return as his loyal and faithful officials and zemindars were to have him back. On his way back he learnt that no detachment had been, as was ordered by the Government, left behind by Brigadier Walpole, but "nothing daunted, Mr. Hume and his escort pushed on and reoccupied the station." His gallant dash at Anant Ram, the action at Harchandpore and numerous other skirmishes are still described in glowing terms. These point to his having been at the early age of twenty-eight as good a general and as great a statesman as any country might well be proud of. On July 2, 1858, Mr. Hume again fell ill and had to be relieved. That very day the rebel Raja whom he had