166 



to be partial^ tentative, and purely experimental. 

 At present it would certainly have been wholly nu- 

 gatory, and ere mischief was done, experience, and 

 the expression of public opinion, would have placed 

 the Indian Government in a position to come to a 

 satisfactory conclusion on all points of dispute and 

 doubt. 



As matters now stand, Her Majesty's Government 

 are prepared to sanction the settlement in perpetuity 

 of revised assessments throughout India ; but it is 

 provided that each case should be recommended by 

 the Viceroy, or that the recommendation of the 

 local Government should have his support. The 

 Government of India have still the power, of stay- 

 ing 1 proceeding's, and it is therefore not too late to 

 express a hope that time may be given for the mea- 

 sures of good government and the development of 

 the resources of the country in progress, to work 

 themselves out, before any action whatever be taken 

 in the matter. 



Without entering on the consideration, in detail, 

 of the advantages expected to result from a per- 

 manent settlement of the land revenue, it is sufficient 

 to say that they embrace mainly what is called ad- 

 vancement in material progress, the creation of 

 wealth ; or, viewed financially, ability on the part of 

 the people to bear increased taxation, 



Now if the advantages anticipated would neces- 

 sarily follow this measure, there would clearly be 

 ground for the sacrifice that, from one point of view, 



