| Description | They are settling down into a period of forced calm, and William expresses contempt 'for those who pretend to see their way clear through to the end', and to material in newspapers. Lord Canning is damned as a cowardly conciliator one day, and a tyrannous oppressor the next. He continues in that vein, before noting their opinions on the state of law. Halliday appointed Assistant Honorary Magistrates, and these individual are now in a disagreeable position, as the cases they must judge are not as simple as they supposed, and little is heard from them now about delays in the law. Those who ridiculed judges for not speaking local languages are calling for the introduction of English in courtrooms. William considers that judges can only understand cases if they can inquire in the vernacular. An interpreter can ruin a case, and William goes on to consider the fairness of cases. The loudest India cries are from the so-called 'Adventurers', men who originally intrigued in courts and were only interested in making money. Their contemporary relics are the subject of bitterness from the Indians, as the interlopers are overbearing and insolent and they injure British national character and encourage 'race hatred'. William gives an example of an Inspector in charge of a fleet of private boats who took a sample of hemp from a shop, intending to pay later, but without informing the shopkeeper. When the Indian carrying the hemp was stopped by a policeman, the European knocked him down with a blow and continued off with the hemp; William fined him £1 10s but he was quite unrepentent. He gives another tale told by a man on a railway journey of him towing a chaprasi from a boat, tied with rope as a punishment. William believes that such a stories are often lies, but the motivation behind them may prompt a deed. He gives a fuller account of that continued conversation with a Mr Meara, who was a railwayman. The conduct of those in railway company is condemned by planters as excessive; they produce the cane in response to setbacks. They complain that there is no redress from magistrates, but they seldom attempt this. He describes another case where Indians had taken an advance for work, but who had run away in consequence of the severity with which they were treated. Warrants were issued and two were jailed, the rest returned to work at once; it was the only example of railway officials bringing a case to William's court. He attributes 'roughshod bullying' to simple selfishness in gaining money, but those who do claim that they only want what's fair. Almost all large concerns such as silk, indigo, sugar and mines are carried on by labourers helplessly in debt to capitalists who rule with the rod. William believes that 'European soul' is required in India, but he would fight to keep out certain elements. He lists the uncovenanted officers he knows, with assessments of their merits and some whom he thinks are a disgrace. He may dine with such men, but 'I am sure I could find Natives of ten times their intellect, fifty times their good breeding and as many times entitled to general respect'. He continues with the comparison in practical roles. One of Halliday's new appointments was a man wo was cashiered from the army. William moves to personal matters, including a long letter from Alick [Alexander Stewart Herschel]. William is now in Berhampore for the Muslim festival, staying with Spencer for whom he wishes to buy a wedding present from home, suggesting a china service or a stereoscope. He closes with a word 'about that slanderer Layard', describing his offence [where the letter breaks off]. |