168 



words which,* without book, might easily be quoted 

 as an extract from a despatch of 1 86'2. (i To conduct 

 themselves/' the Ordinance continues, " with good 

 faith and moderation towards their dependent talook- 

 dars and ryots, are duties at all times indispensably 

 required from the proprietors of land, and a strict 

 observance of these duties is now more than ever in- 

 cumbent upon them, in return for the benefits which 

 they will themselves derive from the orders now issued. 

 The Governor- General in Council therefore expects, 

 that the proprietors of land will not only act in 

 this manner themselves towards their dependent 

 talookdars and ryots, but also enjoin the strictest 

 adherence to the same principles, in the persons whom 

 they may appoint to collect the rents from them." 



His Excellency, no doubt, thought to make 

 English landlords of the Zemindars of Bengal ; but. 

 it is patent to the World, that he succeeded only in 

 making* Irish ones. It is asserted, however, that 

 the interests of the cultivators were sacrificed to 

 those of the landlords, &c., and that other errors 

 were committed in the manner of carrying- out 

 this measure that fully account for its failure. 

 With the light of present experience such errors, 

 it is stated, would not be permitted to take place, and 

 it is confidently believed that by their avoidance in 

 future all objections to a similar attempt being now 

 made would be removed. It is further advanced, 

 that notwithstanding the notoriously depressed con- 

 dition of the cultivators, a creation of wealth has 

 * Vide Begulation, I. 1793, Section VII. 



