Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/178

174 dered by you to this country. In acknowledging that address, your Lordship expressed your conviction that a pacific course was the one best calculated to promote the honour and interests of Great Britain and the welfare of the people of India. We feel that in this belief your Lordship commenced your administration, and that it influenced you until war became the necessity of self-defence. We can desire no happier future for England and India than that this sentiment should prevail with our rulers, and no more glorious achievements when forced into the field than those which under divine Providence have won imperishable honour for our arms on the banks of the Sutlej. We cannot permit your Lordship to lay down the high office of Governor-General without the expression of our admiration for your distinguished career. We desire to have and preserve in Calcutta some personal memorial of one who has received the highest honours from the Sovereign and the thanks of his countrymen whilst ruling this vast empire.'

The result of this address was the erection of the statue by J. H. Foley, R.A., previously referred to. It was pronounced by the Royal Academy to be admirable as a work of art; and none could better befit the character and services of the man.

The salutes which announced the arrival of Lord Dalhousie in the Húglí were indeed welcome sounds. Tiien followed the same interchange of ceremonials, with their attendant hospitalities, in which Lord Hardinge had been the principal actor a few years