Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Critical Notices Of The Literature Of The Last Three Months,
tised , Avas his intolerance of wrong . We extract it for its ' eloquencp , its earnestness , and above all , for its truth : — " A wronged man I have been—more wronged than this work tells of , for ever the public good has guided me in suffering as in action ; but when falsehood is in vigorous activity , with encouragement and support from power ; when even from the judgment-seat insolence and oppression are dealt forth ; the dignity of human nature gives a right , without imputation of vanity , to avow good services . To
me also , as an inspired truth , has come that passionate burst of eloquence with which Charles Fox repelled foul enmity . ' There is a spirit of resistance implanted by the Deity in the breast of man , proportioned to the size of the wrongs he is destined to endure . ' That spirit prompts me to vindicate a claim to better usage . I have won victories , subdued a great kingdom by arms and legislation , governing so as to enable a million of human beings to enjoy life and lift their heads in freedom . I have opened a field for commercial enterprise by the Indus , augmented the revenue of the Indian Government by millions ; and in a moment of imminent
peril saved the Anglo-Indian empire from mutiny more formidable than ever before menaced its stability . The return has been , twice to drive me from high and honourable positions , and all but proclaim me a public enemy . In Parliament vilified by men without honour or truth ; out of it libelled ; and from the Bench , with vulgar insult , refused protection against slander ; I leave my actions to history . " Similar in object , and equally admirable in point of execution , though limited in extent , is Mr . Capper ' s well-arranged account of our Indian Possessions . * Tho volume forms one of the " London Illustrated Libr-ary , " ancl fairly lays claim to be considered the best condensed
account of India that has yet been written . Independently of the historical part of the work , which is carefully compiled and brought down to our own times , Mr . Capper , with the knowledge of a man who has resided in India , mixed with every branch of Indian society , and made the condition of the natives a study , has endeavoured , and we think succeeded , in p lacing before the public , a clear and impartial view of the chief questions touching Indian affairs . Not the least interesting or important , is the picture presented to us of the reckless trading indulged
in by the Anglo-Indian commercial houses . During the crisis of 1830 , the hollowness of the fabric reared by rash speculators made itself apparent : — " In that year , " says Mr . Capper , " the bubble burst , scattering ruin and desolation amidst the homes of thousands of helpless victims . None were prepared for the catastrophe , and least of all the heartless men who had caused the mischief . They were not moved ; few of them had lost much . The storm overtook them
steeped in princely luxuries , deep in selfish physical enjoyment . Bankruptcy stared them and their victims in the face ; but how different the result ! A month or two without their race-horses , their dinner-parties , and their ducal establishments , and the Insolvent Court kindly enabled them to make a fresh start , as bold , as unabashed as ever ; whilst their constituents ( i . c . their victims ) became pauperized , and dependent upon charity for a- subsistence . Six houses alone in Calcutta failed for an aggregate amount of nearly 15 , 000 , 0001 . sterling , leaving among them an average of 5 s . in the pound , and consequently entailing on their creditors losses to the amount of 11 , 250 , 0001 . sterling ; and yet , notwithstanding this terrible warning , the commerce of that vast territory is still based on the same volcanic foundation , is still liable at any moment to experience a shock
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Critical Notices Of The Literature Of The Last Three Months,
tised , Avas his intolerance of wrong . We extract it for its ' eloquencp , its earnestness , and above all , for its truth : — " A wronged man I have been—more wronged than this work tells of , for ever the public good has guided me in suffering as in action ; but when falsehood is in vigorous activity , with encouragement and support from power ; when even from the judgment-seat insolence and oppression are dealt forth ; the dignity of human nature gives a right , without imputation of vanity , to avow good services . To
me also , as an inspired truth , has come that passionate burst of eloquence with which Charles Fox repelled foul enmity . ' There is a spirit of resistance implanted by the Deity in the breast of man , proportioned to the size of the wrongs he is destined to endure . ' That spirit prompts me to vindicate a claim to better usage . I have won victories , subdued a great kingdom by arms and legislation , governing so as to enable a million of human beings to enjoy life and lift their heads in freedom . I have opened a field for commercial enterprise by the Indus , augmented the revenue of the Indian Government by millions ; and in a moment of imminent
peril saved the Anglo-Indian empire from mutiny more formidable than ever before menaced its stability . The return has been , twice to drive me from high and honourable positions , and all but proclaim me a public enemy . In Parliament vilified by men without honour or truth ; out of it libelled ; and from the Bench , with vulgar insult , refused protection against slander ; I leave my actions to history . " Similar in object , and equally admirable in point of execution , though limited in extent , is Mr . Capper ' s well-arranged account of our Indian Possessions . * Tho volume forms one of the " London Illustrated Libr-ary , " ancl fairly lays claim to be considered the best condensed
account of India that has yet been written . Independently of the historical part of the work , which is carefully compiled and brought down to our own times , Mr . Capper , with the knowledge of a man who has resided in India , mixed with every branch of Indian society , and made the condition of the natives a study , has endeavoured , and we think succeeded , in p lacing before the public , a clear and impartial view of the chief questions touching Indian affairs . Not the least interesting or important , is the picture presented to us of the reckless trading indulged
in by the Anglo-Indian commercial houses . During the crisis of 1830 , the hollowness of the fabric reared by rash speculators made itself apparent : — " In that year , " says Mr . Capper , " the bubble burst , scattering ruin and desolation amidst the homes of thousands of helpless victims . None were prepared for the catastrophe , and least of all the heartless men who had caused the mischief . They were not moved ; few of them had lost much . The storm overtook them
steeped in princely luxuries , deep in selfish physical enjoyment . Bankruptcy stared them and their victims in the face ; but how different the result ! A month or two without their race-horses , their dinner-parties , and their ducal establishments , and the Insolvent Court kindly enabled them to make a fresh start , as bold , as unabashed as ever ; whilst their constituents ( i . c . their victims ) became pauperized , and dependent upon charity for a- subsistence . Six houses alone in Calcutta failed for an aggregate amount of nearly 15 , 000 , 0001 . sterling , leaving among them an average of 5 s . in the pound , and consequently entailing on their creditors losses to the amount of 11 , 250 , 0001 . sterling ; and yet , notwithstanding this terrible warning , the commerce of that vast territory is still based on the same volcanic foundation , is still liable at any moment to experience a shock