Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/180

172 was gone and the glamour that belonged to their position disappeared.

Nor was it forgotten that British rule, where it existed, had been just and satisfactory, that native customs were maintained and respected, and that the Governor-General was the sole avenger of a Bráhman of rank who had been sacrificed by the Peshwá himself at the bidding of a low-caste adventurer.

Added to this, there was a general feeling current in India, that the supremacy of England was an event which was not to be resisted, and many natives of the better classes desired that British rule should be established. Numerous examples of this are given in the history of that time, to which we may add the following incidents mentioned in the Private Journal: —

The Ráj Guru, or high priest, of Nepál, thus expressed himself to the Assistant Resident at Khátmándu: —

'One after another the native sovereigns will be urged, by folly, or overweening pride, to attack you; and then you must, in self-defence, conquer; and then you are much the stronger, whether you intended it or not .'

And again, an English officer having asked a native whether it was really the wish of the people to see their country transferred to a foreign rule: —

'To be sure it is our wish,' replied the man. 'Can you