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Rh instrumental in introducing into the newly annexed territories, with some modifications, the system of administration then brought to maturity. Many of the junior officers were personally known to him, as it was his custom to invite them to stay with him on their first joining their appointments after leaving Calcutta. In a previous year he had extended his cold weather tour to the Punjab, and had evinced a warm interest in its administrative progress, more especially in the settlement of the land revenue, then in hand, which was in a great degree founded on his own views and directions. There was, therefore, something more than a mere recognition of the high qualities of the deceased Governor in the public meeting immediately held at Amritsar, under the presidency of Mr. (afterwards Sir George) Edmonstone, and in the resolution arrived at, to create some permanent memorial of his public career.'

It only remains to describe the passing, the ending of Thomason's life.

The summer of 1 853 he spends at Agra, his headquarters. His eldest son, James, is of age and has arrived; he says that at the sight of the young man's successful entrance on a public career 'he feels like the father who hears a son make his first speech in the senate, or preach his first sermon from the pulpit, or conduct his first case in court.' He calls to mind how 'his father had taken him to his arms in 1822, and had thereafter been spared for seven years of life — he now, in his turn, takes his son — will he be spared for seven years?'

His eldest daughter, Maynie, is married — but the second, Bessie, has been expected to come and fill the