I may here mention another remark which the above mentioned native gentleman made as regards my speech.  “It was not so much the speech as the sense of fairness, and frankness, and sincerity which you showed that impressed us.”  This remark showed, as I have often found, that the common idea of natives always having recourse to flattery is a mistaken one, and it was rather interesting to find the ideas of ancient times repeated by one who could have heard hardly anything in the way of public speaking.  The reader may remember how Quinctilian in effect said that there is no instrument of persuasion more powerful than an opinion of probity and honour in the person who undertakes to persuade, and how it has been pointed out that the powerful effect caused by the speaking of Pericles really lay in the confidence which the people reposed in his integrity.  But it is time now to turn to the proceedings of the Assembly, which had been adjourned to Saturday, October 17th.

On that day, then, we met at 8 a.m., and it was proposed by one of the representatives that the collection of the land revenues should in future be postponed till after the harvest, as the present times of collection were inconvenient to the cultivators and often compelled them to borrow money, or mortgage their crops in order to find money to meet the Government demands.  The change asked for was warmly urged by the speaker, who gave very convincing reasons, which I have no space to repeat here, in favour of the proposed alteration.  After this speech was over the Dewan turned to the head revenue officer and consulted him, and also two English officials of great experience.  I did not look at my watch, but I am sure the consultation did not last five minutes.  The Dewan then turned to the Assembly and said, “This proposal is granted,” and the decision was received with loud applause.  The chief revenue and settlement officer afterwards told me that this was the most important point ever gained by the Assembly.

I may pause here to remark that what I saw and heard at the Assembly, combined with what I previously knew of the Mysore Government, satisfied me that a more perfect form of government does not exist in the world.  Here, as we have just seen, was a most important measure gained for the country after what was really a very short consultative meeting between the ruler and the ruled.  The ruler—­in other words the Dewan—­was sitting like a judge on the bench, patiently listening to and taking notes of the various wants of the people as the representatives came forward—­occasionally consulting with his officials—­granting some things, absolutely refusing others, and announcing sometimes that the subject brought forward would be taken into consideration, while the representatives seemed to be perfectly satisfied that the ruler would willingly do, and was willingly doing, the best he could for the common interest.  I may mention that I was particularly struck with the dignified,