210 



view, did not enter at all. It is the more singular 

 that this error should have been committed ; because 

 it would seem that the Government of Bengal was 

 fully alive to the circumstances of the province in 

 January 1860 ; and in the extract from the published 

 correspondence given above, the position is so very 

 clearly described as similar to that in which even 

 antiquated economists admit that the magnitude of 

 the interests to the nation are so great, and the con- 

 sequences resulting to society and posterity from the 

 errors, misconduct, or incapacity of individuals, may 

 be so serious, that interference is necessary, that it 

 is difficult to reconcile the opinion, that " it is not for 

 Government but for those interested in the tea plan- 

 tations of Assam, to apply themselves to this, as to 

 other requirements of their position," not merely 

 with the pledged faith of Her Majesty's Government 

 to encourage and assist those who relieve it of the 

 duty of developing the resources of the Country, but 

 with an acquaintance with the true functions of Go- 

 vernment. 



There are many parts of the world in which large 

 and rich countries are without inhabitants many 

 in which, though populated, there is no form of Go- 

 vernment. The now tolerably well understood law 

 of population, and the less defined though equally 

 recognized principle of progressive development, ever 

 impelling man in a forward direction, are gradually 

 evolving order from confusion, and as steadily ful- 

 filling the divine ordinance : " Be fruitful and mul- 



