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ments and proofs of the converse of this proposition, 

 is the sole object of this digression. For, what I 

 desire to maintain is, that in proportion as the great 

 mass of the people of India, because they are in a 

 very early stage of civilization, are unfitted for self- 

 g'overnment, in such ratio is it the bound en duty 

 of the paramount authority, to interpose, and by 

 the initiation of improvements, adapted to the cir- 

 cumstances of the country, gradually to lead the 

 various races committed to its charge, up to that 

 point in civilization, from which questions affecting 

 the material progress of the Empire, may, with 

 advantage, be examined from a purely English point 

 view. 



I do not suppose that there is any very great 

 originality in these views, and their soundness must 

 be so apparent to every competent thinker on the 

 subject, that it would be needless to dwell on them 

 here, were it not that we have daily-recurring in- 

 stances of their being overlooked, or forgotten, by 

 very able men, accustomed for years to deal with 

 economic questions only as affecting nations in a 

 high state of Civilization. It would be impossible, 

 perhaps, to find a happier illustration of what I 

 mean, than the imposition of an income tax in India. 

 Many Indian questions, involving commercial and 

 other special considerations, may have been com- 

 plicated or involved in failure, by being dealt with 

 by persons without any experience or special train- 

 ing in the department to which the particular 



