DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34827#0349
1834-41.
333
chronology. He went in the autumn to Leamington for the
joint object of study and medical advice, and while fairly com-
mitted to his new task he received the most tempting offers to
return to public life.
Mr. H. George Tucker, then Chairman of the East India
Company, proposed to submit his name to the Government of
Lord Melbourne, together with that of Metcalfe, as the suc-
cessor to Lord William Bentinck. Mr. Elphinstone's reply,
which is given in Kaye's biography,* is very short. He was
still suffering from the effect of his former residence in the East.
' I could be of no use,' he said,' in a hot climate, and the present
state of my health is an effectual bar to my going to India.'
On being pressed to reconsider his decision he consulted Dr.
Jephson, and although the medical opinion was encouraging,
Mr. Elphinstone adhered to his resolution. ' I feel convinced,
he said, ' that if I went to India I should be obliged to return
immediately, and should incur all the bad effects of a sudden
change of government; and, what is worse, I should not be able
to do my duty satisfactorily while I stayed.'
Such an offer could not be made without recalling the
aspirations of his youth; nor could it be rejected without a
struggle. What he felt is expressed in the following entry in
his journal at the time :—
' Hugest, 1834.—I had a letter from Mr. Tucker (the Chair-
man) to-day, offering to propose me, along with Metcalfe, to the
choice of the Court of Directors for Governor-General. The
form of the offer is not captivating, and the success of the
Court's recommendation doubtful; but if all had been ever so
inviting my health prevents my thinking of it. If I were well,
I should not so easily decide. The office, as it has been for the
last seven or eight years, is anything but desirable, being alto-
gether occupied with retrenchment and details ; but nothing is
certain in India, and the next man may have an active and
important career. This consideration, and the thought of
being once more a living man, exerting one's faculties, contend-
ing with and surmounting difficulties, and able to give extensive
' ZVrcs i. 301.
333
chronology. He went in the autumn to Leamington for the
joint object of study and medical advice, and while fairly com-
mitted to his new task he received the most tempting offers to
return to public life.
Mr. H. George Tucker, then Chairman of the East India
Company, proposed to submit his name to the Government of
Lord Melbourne, together with that of Metcalfe, as the suc-
cessor to Lord William Bentinck. Mr. Elphinstone's reply,
which is given in Kaye's biography,* is very short. He was
still suffering from the effect of his former residence in the East.
' I could be of no use,' he said,' in a hot climate, and the present
state of my health is an effectual bar to my going to India.'
On being pressed to reconsider his decision he consulted Dr.
Jephson, and although the medical opinion was encouraging,
Mr. Elphinstone adhered to his resolution. ' I feel convinced,
he said, ' that if I went to India I should be obliged to return
immediately, and should incur all the bad effects of a sudden
change of government; and, what is worse, I should not be able
to do my duty satisfactorily while I stayed.'
Such an offer could not be made without recalling the
aspirations of his youth; nor could it be rejected without a
struggle. What he felt is expressed in the following entry in
his journal at the time :—
' Hugest, 1834.—I had a letter from Mr. Tucker (the Chair-
man) to-day, offering to propose me, along with Metcalfe, to the
choice of the Court of Directors for Governor-General. The
form of the offer is not captivating, and the success of the
Court's recommendation doubtful; but if all had been ever so
inviting my health prevents my thinking of it. If I were well,
I should not so easily decide. The office, as it has been for the
last seven or eight years, is anything but desirable, being alto-
gether occupied with retrenchment and details ; but nothing is
certain in India, and the next man may have an active and
important career. This consideration, and the thought of
being once more a living man, exerting one's faculties, contend-
ing with and surmounting difficulties, and able to give extensive
' ZVrcs i. 301.