Page:Allan Octavian Hume, C.B.; Father of the Indian National Congress.djvu/29

 in which so few severe punishments have been inflicted, Mercy and forbearance have, I think I may justly say, characterized my administration. . . . We had before us then a great and glorious problem to solve, viz., how to restore peace and order and the Authority of Government with the least possible amount of human suffering.'

"There can be no doubt that his statesmanlike tact, his brilliant courage and tenacity of purpose made it easier for him than it would have been for many others to restore confidence among the people and evolve peace and order out of chaos.

"He did not receive his reward until i860, when he was created a Companion of the Bath. Little enough reward was it for his great services. But those days were different from the present day, when honours and decorations are thrown broadcast among the deserving and the undeserving alike."

Let us now proceed to review some of his most notable work for the peace and progress of his district.

(i) Popular Education. In a detailed report dated 21st January 1857, Mr. Hume describes, as follows, the circumstances under which he initiated his system of free schools in Etawah : "In February last I received semi-official permission to attempt the establishment of Elementary Free Schools, to be supported by a voluntary cess, contributed by the landed proprietors. After no little opposition had been overcome by patient argument and perseverance, a large majority of the Zemindars of Pergunnah Etawah consented to the levy of the cess ; and they having formally declared the same at a great public meeting held for the purpose, and paid up the first instalment of their subscrip-