Page:Ranjit Singh (Griffin).djvu/134

128 wealth and power continually increased. His sagacity and far-sightedness were such, that when, to other eyes, the political sky was clear, he could perceive the signs of a coming storm which warned him to desert a losing party or a falling friend. Honest men do not survive many revolutions, and the Rájá's falseness was the measure of his success. He was patriotic, but his love of country was subordinate to his love of self. He hated the English with a bitter hatred, for they were stronger than he or his country; but his interests compelled him to serve, like Samson, the Philistines he hated. He was not without his own notions of fidelity, and would stand by a friend as long as he could do so with safety to himself. Even when he deserted him it was more from thoughts of danger to his wealth and influence than from personal fear, for Rájá Dina Náth was physically brave, and also possessed, in an eminent degree, moral courage; though it did not lead him to do right regardless of consequences. He possessed immense local knowledge and as vast a capacity for work; but his desire of keeping power in his own hands had an evil effect on the progress of business. He was an accomplished man of the world, courteous and considerate; well educated, though nothing of a scholar, and in conversation with Europeans he would express himself with a boldness and apparent candour that were as pleasant as they are unusual in Asiatics.

It was only in 1834 that Rájá Dina Náth was made Finance Minister, for which his qualifications were