Page:Earl Canning.djvu/157

Rh of the misleading effects of popular passion that such obvious and moderate precautions against indiscriminate vengeance should have been regarded with disapproval, and that even in England the 'clemency' of their author — for it was on this occasion that the historical nickname of their author first saw the light — should have been made a topic for satirical and depreciatory comment.

Another count of this long indictment showed still more distinctly the real temper of Lord Canning's accusers. It alleged that, notwithstanding numerous instances of treachery on the part of Muhammadan officials, the Governor-General had continued to show his confidence in that class of men by sanctioning the appointment of a Muhammadan to be 'Deputy Commissioner' of Patná, a place of great importance and trust, and of other Muhammadans to other places of trust, 'to the great offence and discouragement of the Christian population of this Presidency.' The letter in which the Commissioner at Patná justified the appointment specially instanced in the petition, puts in a striking light the dangers against which Lord Canning had at this period of his career to contend. The gentleman whose appointment was thus denounced was a Calcutta advocate in large and lucrative practice. He had, throughout, taken an active part in supporting the cause of order, urging his countrymen and co-religionists to loyalty, and supplying useful information, for obtaining which he had special facilities, to the Government. He had abandoned his professional