Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/78

 6O The Aristocracy of Southern India.

invitation to take part in the ceremony of opening the Hall, the ceremony which I look forward to performing to-morrow. I had the intention of coming to this part of the country during this season if it had been possible. But for my promise to take part in this ceremony, I think, I should have been compelled to postpone it to a future occasion. However, I have managed to find sufficient time to carry out the projected visit to this part of the country, and I am very glad to find myself to-night as the guest of the Rajah. I am certain that Lady Havelock would have been pleased, if she could, with her presence on the present occasion, have given an additional satisfaction to the Rajah. But the Bajah has rightly said that the long journey from Madras, performed in the hurried way that my journey on the present occasion was arranged to be performed, prevented her from coming. She could not possibly have undergone the fatigues of this long and hasty journey. Before I sit down, I must ask you to join with me in drinking a toast which probably needs little or no commendation, that is, the toast of the health of the Rajah of Bobbili. The Rajah of Bobbili is, as we all know, a descendant and a representative of the race which has distinguished itself in the wars in this part of the country, and has left its mark on the history of the Circars. The Rajah himself is a man of literary ability; he has also been an observant traveller; he is a large landowner who knows how to work his property to the best possible advantage, and he is, I can testify, a most valuable member of my Legisative Council, representing there the interests of the large landed proprietary of the Madras Presidency. I can only say that I wish that we had many more men in the Madras Presidency and in India like the Rajah of Bobbili."