Ꮌl•/o professed or attempted to be anything of the kind. Even if it had been, it would still have been out-dated some day. A subject that is itself growing, cannot, till a certain stage is reached in the accumulation of data, produce immortal literature. This book was intended as an exposition to India and to the world, of the national glory. It was never meant to be more than a popular resume. It is high praise to be able to say of it that it has been so carefully put together, with such fulness and precision of detail, that as a book of reference, and as a memorial of the view-points reached from time to time, it is difficult to imagine its ever passing completely out of use. Having discovered the Indian mind, Mr. Dutt, in his daily work, began to explore it. It gradually dawned on him that the simple unlettered Indian brain was far broader and more catholic in its ideals and outlook than the European. 'I have really come to think,’ he said to some of us, one day, in a slow puzzled way, 'that our people are more universal in their ideas than the English ! I almost think, if they had a chance, that they would better justify education In other words, he had discovered that the ancient civilisation and literature had been merely a product of the same energy that still lives.” and still creates, in its ancient home ! His voluminous publications had lifted him to a position of great distinction amongst his fellow-civilians. But the simple sincerity and straightforwardness of the man is seen in the fact that he wrote no more for an English world. He now began to feed the Indian mind with that food that he saw it needed, the Rig-Veda in the vernacular, and Indian history and social problems in the form of Bengali novels. When next he wrote in English, it was by way of expostulation, or for the whole of India. His was no itching desire for the admiration of the foreigner. As an administrator, it is difficult to understand in what sense he was second-rate. At the age of 28, he re-organised Barisal, after the Dakkhin Shahbazpur tidal wave of 1876. When he was magistrate of Maimensingh, crime fell, there, two-thirds of what it has been before and since. And for what more he was, as an administrator, let Baroda answer, or let the families whom he has relieved in famine, answer . One had only to stand in the presence of Romesh Dutt to know what a just and merciful judge, what a wise ruler and father, he would be. To the honour of the Bengali race, be it said, that in this, he was thoroughly representative of his countrymen, not even head and shoulders, perhaps, above many in capacity. It can only be said, that he had the opportunity of which many are worthy. But he did nothing to lessen that opportunity for others. 'You're a very fine fellow, Dutt But you're not a bit finer than tens of thousands of Bengalist' I heard A. O. Hume say to him once, and no one could have assented to the second part of the statement, so warmly as he to whom it was addressed. Before we begin to classify administrators let us remember that this is one of the chief tasks in which brilliance is not nearly so distinguished as quietness. Romesh Chunder Dutt had the qualities of a most distinguished, because an absolutely quiet ruler. He inspired all who approached him with the conviction of his benevolence, and filled them with confidence in his wisdom and gentleness. As an economician, he was probably more up-to-date than his own countrymen are quite prepared to understand. His economics were not gathered, to any great extent, from foreign books. And thereby they avoided many errors' He knew well enough that rice is better than money, that a high price for grain means poverty for the farmer, and many another fundamental fact that would completely change our economics if duly assimilated. His were the
