394 LAST WORDS. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



LAST WORDS. 



The object of British policy — General Chapman quoted — Present conditions 

 cannot be permanent — Professor Vambery quoted — India the fulcrum 

 of British rule in Asia — Lord Curzon on the internal condition of 

 India. 



In the concluding section of the present volume I have 

 endeavoured to draw attention to the general situation 

 in the East, as it affects this country at the present 

 time. I am bold enough to hope that in the earlier 

 chapters something may have been found in the de- 

 scription of Eastern life and Eastern countries that may 

 have proved of interest to those who, while unable to 

 visit such countries for themselves, have nevertheless a 

 fancy for casting an Asian horoscope. 



The present object of British policy has, I hope, been 

 made clear — namely, to so guard and strengthen those 

 oriental kingdoms which constitute the dividing neutral 

 zone between the spheres of influence and interest of 

 this country and Russia as to preserve from dangerous 

 contact the ambitions of the two great Powers from 

 the West to whom has fallen the golden heritage of 

 the East. " By the extension of our Indian railway 

 system," writes General Chapman, " to adjoining states 

 and the development of commerce, we may oppose a 

 Russian advance by means other than those of war, 



