Page:History of the French in India.djvu/377

 ASTUTE POLICY OF BUSSY. 353 his nature. Few could fail to see that in a Govern- C ^J- ment like that of the Dakhan — a Government quasi-. ' independent, but which, notwithstanding, a powerful 1751. Emperor at Delhi might at any moment reclaim, a Government which, thus founded on no solid or per- manent foundation, was exposed to the incessant attacks of the encroaching power of the Marathas — everything must depend on the character of the ruler. If that ruler were weak and unstable ; if he had no resources within himself, no mental energies upon which to fall back and to depend, it was certain that he must become the sport of fortune, the tool and instrument of the strongest mind that had access to him. Now. Salabat Jang, Bussy early divined, was that weak and unstable nature, and he determined that no one but himself should play the part of the strong- minded counsellor. In the force which he commanded he had one instrument upon which he could ^ount to enable him to attain the desired position. It was not, indeed, that he displayed, or intended to display, his troops in an attitude of menace. He was far too wise for that. He shut them up, as we have seen, in a fortress, and drilled them into courtesy and gentleness. But the moral effect of that force was increased thereby tenfold. Whilst they excited no jealousy, not a man but knew what they had done, what they could do, what they were ready to attempt, at the slightest word from Bussy. His power of restraining such a force added greatly to the influence of its presence. But it was not upon the force that he entirely relied. That was indeed the basis of his power ; but a less able man might notwithstanding have used the influence given him by so strong a position to little purpose. Bussy trusted for the success of his plans to his own acquaintance with native character. Though frank, open, and conciliatory, he was in those days, before yet age and gout had begun to undermine his faculties, a A A