46 NAPARIMA. 



the great ceremony was the distributing by the Governor of 

 red and yellow sweetmeats to the children out of a huge disli 

 held up by the Hindoo butler, while Franky, in a long night- 

 shirt of crimson cotton velvet, acted as aide-de-camp, and took 

 his perquisites freely. Each of the little brown darlings got 

 its share, the boys putting them into the flap of their waist- 

 cloths, the girls into the front of their veils ; and some of the 

 married women seemed ready enough to follow the children's 

 example ; some of them, indeed, were little more than chil- 

 dren themselves. The pleasure of the men at the whole 

 ceremony was very noticeable, and very pleasant. Well fed, 

 well cared for, well taught (when they will allow themselves 

 to be so), and w4th a local medical man appointed for their 

 special benefit. Coolies under such a master ought to be, and 

 are, prosperous and happy. Exceptions there are, and must 

 be. Are there none amon^j the workmen of En^ijlish manu- 

 facturers and farmers ? Abuses may spring up, and do. Do 

 none spring up in London and elsewhere ? But the Govern- 

 ment has the power to interfere, and uses that power. These 

 poor people are sufficiently protected by law from their white 

 employers ; wliat they need most is protection for the new- 

 comers against the usury, or swindling, by people of their 

 own race, especially Hindoos of the middle class, who are 

 covetous and ill-disx^osed, and who use their experience of the 

 island for their own selfish advantage. But that evil also 



