346 HAUNTS AND HOBBIES 



ject to famines. It was formerly thought that the 

 famines were much the result of the native misgovern- 

 ment, and that under our humaner and more enlightened 

 rule they would cease. Experience has shown that 

 these opinions were erroneous. Good government may 

 alleviate the sufferings of famines, but it is powerless 

 in India to prevent their occurrence, for they arise from 

 a deficiency of the rainfall, and over the rainfall man 

 has no control. 



