MR. HASTINGS. 
131 
the number of both, but more especially of the latter, 
has considerably increased, having extended to the 
neighbouring villages. Benares is decidedly the most 
populous city in Hindostan. There exists at present a 
very amicable intercourse between the natives and 
Europeans. Since the establishment of the police by 
Mr. Hastings, in 1781, the security here against fraud 
and robbery is unequalled in any part of the British 
dominions in India. In fact, since the year just men- 
tioned, when the peace of the whole district was dis- 
turbed, and the safety of the Company’s territorial 
possessions in Asia threatened by the insurrection of 
the Zemeendar of Benares, this town has enjoyed the 
most undisturbed repose. The war-trump has been 
seldom heard within its walls, and its tranquillity has 
not been disturbed by the roar of hostile artillery. 
Whilst the horrors of war have been poured into the 
neighbouring districts, and the scythe of devastation 
has swept over their fruitful plains, Benares has been 
spared, and has gradually increased in magnitude, 
in importance, and in wealth. For this the people 
who throng her streets and worship at her shrines are 
indebted to Mr. Hastings, and his name is now held 
in the highest veneration among them. However 
this much-injured man may have been led, from the 
peculiar circumstances of the times, and the critical 
position in which he stood, to exercise occasional acts 
of oppression, he was certainly one of the ablest 
statesmen and one of the best governors ever sent to 
India, and the respect with which the name of War- 
ren Hastings is still pronounced, in that very city 
which was so vehemently declared by his calumniators 
