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110 the suggestiveness of ruins that makes him eager to search for them in all parts of his territories. Before reaching Agra he would traverse Mathra-Brindában, a tract of all tracts the most classic in Hindu mythology.

One mainspring of his success was the use he made of the opportunities afforded by these tours for promoting the physical development of the country, improving the social status of its inhabitants, and becoming acquainted with the merits or the faults of the public servants in all grades. He was gifted by nature with an eye for noting the contour and configuration of lands or localities. Had he not been a civilian ruler, he might have been a great surveyor, pioneer, or hydraulic engineer. Restricted as were his powers in regard to the greater public works, he had yet the command of the countless local improvements, and the lesser works scattered throughout the country. The guidance, the impulse, the origination, the rectification, which he afforded to all these affairs during his marches, were of untold value. These, too, were the opportunities for the Natives to urge their grievances before him face to face; and for him to gather the drift of Native opinion or sentiment. From these meetings some formal, some social, some casual or accidental, he would learn how to recommend reform of the laws or of the executive regulations. These, too, were the occasions for his noticing the indigenous institutions of the country, some time-honoured and incorporated into