A EUX THROUGH KATHIAWAR. 231 



they were asked to explain. They also Avrote AVOII- 

 derfully correctly from dictation, and showed a good 

 knowledge of the geography of Europe. Major Le 

 Geyt put the whole school through a very sensible, 

 testing, and fair examination, which brought out the 

 actual proficiency and the deficiencies of the scholars 

 very well indeed, and I ani bound to say that the 

 result was highly creditable to them. On the whole, 

 they showed great intelligence and eagerness. The 

 chanting in Guzerathi and Urdu was very melodious, 

 with a pathetic cadence, and was executed apparently 

 with much feeling. A large girls' school, which we 

 also examined, was a novelty in such a state. The girls 

 were almost entirely the daughters of Brahmans, some 

 of whom Avere high in the Xawab's service. They were 

 exceedingly quick, clever, and eager ; and it was curi- 

 ous to notice the great and unaffected delight with 

 which even such an astute old official as Xarsing Pra- 

 saad looked upon the success of the little performers. 

 To improve the administration of justice, efforts 

 had been made to establish courts, with regular forms 

 resembling those existing in British territory ; but 

 there did not seem to be sufficient appreciation of the 

 importance of having well-paid judges placed in a 

 position to be at least somewhat independent of the 

 Xawab's court. One of the gravest accusations 

 brought against native states in India is, that the 

 ruler and his favourites can do exactly as they please ; 

 that they can crush all opposition, violate the honour 



