Page:Our Indian Army.djvu/11

 Preface.

The importance of our Eastern Empire, which contains an area equal to half that of Europe, with a population of one hundred and fifty millions; and which yields an annual revenue of thirty millions sterling, will be readily admitted, even by the most apathetic; yet the ignorance that generally prevails on the subject, even within the walls of parliament, is altogether astounding.

This cannot arise from a paucity of the means of instruction; for the works that have been published on Oriental matters, within the last fifty years, are sufficient of themselves to constitute an extensive, important, and most interesting library. We can, therefore, ascribe it only to the indifference which one naturally feels for what has been so long locked up from general participation, in the leaden embrace of the most griping, covetous, and jealous monopoly that has ever existed.

The hand of Reform has, however, tolled the knell of its destiny; and the "Twenty-four Stools" tottering to their fall, at length impart a hope of better days for the