374 THE < LION ' LETTEKS 



The enchanted land opened itself again to him through 

 the eyes of his son. He has seen Parasnath. 



It was my first mountain climb in India, and I have 

 still hanging in the hall the little marble head of the Jain 

 idol which I found (with the Leper) in the ruined temple 

 at the top. 



He is yet more delighted that the lad has been to Darjiling 

 and has found the ' Journal ' helpful ; and would have liked, 

 had it been possible, to send him the pass for the railway — 

 * a little gold kukri that hangs to my watch chain — given by 

 the constructor because of some information I gave him about 

 10 years ago.' 



India is inexhaustible. ' It makes me giddy to think 

 how much you have to learn of that wonderful country — its 

 History, Peoples and productions, not to say also its languages.' 

 To take an interest in all these things becomes a University man. 



From old experience he can well understand the difficulty 

 of grappling with Hindustani for entrance to the Staff aDd 

 the * appalling ' stiffness of the examinations, but heartens 

 the young officer to grind away with his malodorous Moonshi 

 by the reflection that unless they put stiff questions, the 

 examiners have no means of picking out the men of highest 

 ability. When one examination was passed after another, 

 Hooker is delighted with his * good head for lingos ' ; and 

 bids him try for Persian next. To be a smart officer is not 

 enough — ' I do so want to see you taking the position of an 

 exceptionally instructed officer.' 



In this connexion he asks whether any of his brother 

 officers are reading men. 



Is it true what all the people are now saying, that young 

 officers never read and think it * bad form ' to study, or 

 talk on professional subjects ? 



One of these brother officers is described as ' a quiet young 

 man.' 



I hope [returns Hooker] that you make up to the * quiet 

 young man ' — ten to one you will find something in him. 



