vi PREFACE, 



with reference to the results of the last census. This will 

 be done as soon as the results of the census become avail- 

 able, which will be very shortly, and the Memorandum will 

 then be issued in a complete form. 



2. I have endeavoured to make the statistics given in 

 the memorandum as accurate as possible, but I can scarcely 

 hope that I have fully succeeded. The information given 

 as regards the state of things in former centuries, though 

 derived from sources which are the best available, is admit- 

 tedly imperfect, but this does not invalidate in any way the 

 general conclusions arrived at. 



3. The subject being many-sided, it is, of course, not 

 possible in a first attempt to do more than break ground as 

 regards the various questions dealt with. I have, therefore, 

 printed as appendices to the Memorandum such official and 

 other papers as throw light on the questions discussed, for 

 purposes of easy reference in subsequent inquiries. This 

 accounts also for the large quantity of statistical information 

 and the large number of quotations given in the earlier por- 

 tions of my Memorandum. Much of this information is new 

 to the generation that is growing up, though not new to the 

 generation that is passing away. 



4. In conclusion, I wish to point out that the subject 

 dealt with is the improvement in the material condition of 

 the Presidency, and though there are other points of view 

 from which the question of national well-being has to be 

 considered, improvement in the material condition is the 

 foundation on which improvement in other respects should 

 be built up. I venture to think that if the question be 

 impartially considered, there can be no two opinions as to 

 the very great advance made by the country during the last 

 40 years. 



Madras, S. S. 



nth April 1892. 



