Cases. 1 1 



templated at Calcutta as a test. It would have been deplorable to 

 see more precious time lost in these experiments, whilst the only 

 proper subjects for experiments, the unfortunate natives, are perishing 

 by thousands. The step taken by Sir Joseph Fayrer does honour 

 both to his head and his heart, and if his recommendation is accepted 

 and vigorously carried out it will still further increase the debt of 

 gratitude which India owes to British rule, and with regard to its 

 terrible snake plague, to the one Englishman who of all others has 

 distinguished himself by an almost life long study of the subject and 

 indefatigable labours for its alleviation. 



Her Majesty the Queen has also been pleased 

 most graciously to interest herself in this subject. 

 Memorialised by the writer before Sir J. Fayrer 's 

 recommendation to the British Government, above 

 alluded to, was known to him, our gracious Sovereign, 

 ever intent on the welfare of her subjects, has resolved 

 on having the writer's method thoroughly tried in 

 India, and communicated this her intention to him in 

 a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies 

 to His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, dated 

 11th Nov., 1892, inviting him, at the same time, to 

 forward any proposals he may have to make direct to 

 the Secretary to the Government of India in the 

 Home Department ; and thus adding one more to the 

 many noble deeds that mark her benevolent, long, and 

 glorious reign. 



