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social condition or state of civilization of peoples, is 

 the mean between these two extremes the commu- 

 nity, and the individual state of property. This 

 theory has not yet been put forth as a law. I 

 am perhaps the first that has so stated it. But 

 the arguments advanced by most writers of the 

 day who advocate the redemption of land revenue, 

 seem, for the most part, to be based on some such 

 conclusion. I would not wish either to defend or 

 to dispute the position. On the contrary, admitting 

 it to be true, as it will not be denied that the 

 advance of all societies in civilization is by steps, 

 progressive and slow, it will follow that many 

 years, many centuries I might say, must elapse, 

 before a society in a primitive or archaic state, 

 would reach that highest point in the scale, at 

 which, for the perfection of the theory, all things 

 should be the property of individuals. Now it is an 

 indisputable fact, that throughout India, community 

 of property is not only the rule ; but it is that 

 one institution so deeply rooted iu the minds of the 

 people, so ingrained in their nature it would almost 

 seem, which neither force of laws, nor force of 

 arms have been able to destroy. " Dynasty after 

 dynasty " to use the words of Lord Metcalfe " tumbles 

 down ; revolution succeeds to revolution ; Hindoo, 

 Pathan, Moghul, Mahratta, Sikh, English are all 

 masters in turn ; but the village community remains 

 the same ;" and though there are many Provinces 



