among the politest people in the world, was intolerable.  Nothing aggravates tyranny so much as contumely. Quicquid superbia in contumeliis was charged by a great man of antiquity, as a principal head of offence against the Governor-General of that day.  The unhappy people were still more insulted.  A relation, but an enemy to the family, a notorious robber and villain, called Ussaun Sing, kept as a hawk in a mew, to fly upon this nation, was set up to govern there, instead of a prince honored and beloved.  But when the business of insult was accomplished, the revenue was too serious a concern to be intrusted to such hands.  Another was set up in his place, as guardian to an infant.

But here, Sir, mark the effect of all these extraordinary means, of all this policy and justice.  The revenues, which had been hitherto paid with such astonishing punctuality, fell into arrear.  The new prince guardian was deposed without ceremony,—­and with as little, cast into prison.  The government of that once happy country has been in the utmost confusion ever since such good order was taken about it.  But, to complete the contumely offered to this undone people, and to make them feel their servitude in all its degradation and all its bitterness, the government of their sacred city, the government of that Benares which had been so respected by Persian and Tartar conquerors, though of the Mussulman persuasion, that, even in the plenitude of their pride, power, and bigotry, no magistrate of that sect entered the place, was now delivered over by English hands to a Mahometan; and an Ali Ibrahim Khan was introduced, under the Company’s authority, with power of life and death, into the sanctuary of the Gentoo religion.  After this, the taking off a slight payment, cheerfully made by pilgrims to a chief of their own rites, was represented as a mighty benefit.

It remains only to show, through the conduct in this business, the spirit of the Company’s government, and the respect they pay towards other prejudices, not less regarded in the East than those of religion:  I mean the reverence paid to the female sex in general, and particularly to women of high rank and condition.  During the general confusion of the country of Ghazipoor, Panna, the mother of Cheit Sing, was lodged with her train in a castle called Bidge Gur, in which were likewise deposited a large portion of the treasures of her son, or more probably her own.  To whomsoever they belonged was indifferent:  for, though no charge of rebellion was made on this woman, (which was rather singular, as it would have cost nothing,) they were resolved to secure her with her fortune.  The castle was besieged by Major Popham.