Notwithstanding the high civilization, luxury, and refinement to be found in these Native States, my visits to them strengthened my opinion that, however capable and enlightened the Ruler, he could have no chance of holding his country if deprived of the guiding hand of the British Government as embodied in the Resident.  It is just that control, so light in ordinary times as to be hardly perceptible, but firm enough when occasion demands, which saves the State from being rent by factions and internal intrigue, or swallowed up by a more powerful neighbour, for, owing to the influence of the Brahmins and the practical seclusion which caste prejudices entail, involving ignorance of what is taking place immediately outside their own palaces, the Native Princes of the less warlike peoples would have no chance amidst the anarchy and confusion that would follow the withdrawal of British influence.

A remark made to me by the late Sir Madhava Rao, ex-Minister of the Baroda State, which exemplifies my meaning, comes back to me at this moment.  Sir Madhava was one of the most astute Hindu gentlemen in India, and when discussing with him the excitement produced by the ‘Ilbert Bill,’ he said:  ’Why do you English raise these unnecessary questions?  It is your doing, not ours.  We have heard of the cry, “India for the Indians,” which some of your philanthropists have raised in England; but you have only to go to the Zoological Gardens and open the doors of the cages, and you will very soon see what would be the result of putting that theory into practice.  There would be a terrific fight amongst the animals, which would end in the tiger walking proudly over the dead bodies of the rest.’  ‘Whom,’ I inquired, ‘do you consider to be the tiger?’ ‘The Mahomedan from the North,’ was his reply.

[Illustration:  THE MARQUIS OF DUFFERIN, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E., VICEROY OF INDIA.

From, an engraving by the Fine Art Society of a portrait by the late Frank Holl, R.A.]

[Footnote 1:  Now Sir Mount-Stuart Grant-Duff, G.C.S.I.]

[Footnote 2:  Now Sir Charles Bernard, K.C.S.I.]

[Footnote 3:  Lieutenant-Colonel G.T.  Pretyman, R.A., was Assistant Military Secretary until 1884, when he was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel R. Pole-Carew, Coldstream Guards.  Lieutenant Neville Chamberlain, Central India Horse, and Captain Ian Hamilton, the Gordon Highlanders, were Aides-de-camp.]

[Footnote 4:  The finest of the Gassapa falls.]

* * * * *

CHAPTER LXIV. 1885

Disturbing action of Russia—­Abdur Rahman Khan—­The Rawal Pindi Durbar —­Unmistakable loyalty of the Natives

In March, 1885, we again visited Calcutta.  The Marquis of Ripon had departed, and the Earl of Dufferin reigned in his stead.