184 FAREWELL BANQUET 



evolution has been as startling as its success has 

 been undeniable. The first time that I addressed 

 the Council we numbered, I think, twenty-one 

 members, of whom only six were Indians ; and the 

 like number only were present when I made my 

 first speech in answer to the criticisms on my first 

 Budget. I remember the day well. It was on the 

 29th of March, 1909, and the day was abnormally 

 hot and close, even for that time of year in Calcutta. 

 Partly owing to the heat, but largely no doubt 

 owing to the wearisome effect of my first attempt 

 at oratory, one by one every single member present 

 went to sleep; and it is the simple truth that, after 

 awhile, I actually fell asleep myself in the course 

 of the delivery of my statement. 



I ask myself what would happen to my successor 

 were he to allow himself, in the forthcoming 

 Session, to go to sleep when defending his Budget ? 

 Some of my friends who sat in the last Council 

 have gone, but the incisive criticism of Mr. Gok- 

 hale, the torrential eloquence of the pundit 

 Malaviya, the emphatic utterance of Mr. Acharia, 

 to say nothing of the journalistic thunder of 

 Mr. Surendra Nath Banerjee, would soon lead to a 

 rude awakening. 



When I look back upon the character of the old 

 Council and consider the quality of the present 

 Council, I am almost astonished that even the old 

 name remains. 



In wishing good-bye to the old dispensation, I 

 used these words: 



" The reforms which have been decided upon 

 and which will presumably become operative 

 before this time next year will unquestionably 

 vastly increase the labour and the difficulties of 

 the Finance Member. 



' I do not fear the change. 



" Undoubtedly it will lead to increased and 



