DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34827#0350
334 jLz/f? cn. xvni.
effect to one^s wishes and opinions, may have tempted me to
consider the offer if likely to have been attended with success.
" Sed mihi tarda gelu morbisque effeta senectus
Invidet imperiumT
^ Ngpf 1.—Another and much more encouraging letter
from Mr. Tucker, after he had talked with some of his col-
leagues, has made me give a more serious consideration to the
question. I spoke to Dr. Jephson, who with his sanguine turn
declares that, if I will live as he tells me he will answer for my
health in India, and that he will give me a certificate for the
Alliance Life Insurance, in which he has a large interest. As far
as health goes, therefore, though my own opinion would have been
quite the reverse of Dr. Jephson's, it might be worth my while
to consult medical men who were experienced in hot climates.
But the first question is, would the situation suit me if there
were no obstacle to my taking it ? I must premise that, as
there is no particular crisis in India, and I have no particular
abilities, I may assume that it is of no consequence to the
public whether I go or another. I have therefore only personal
considerations to attend to. Now the chance of great events
occurring is not considerable, nor is it certain, if they did occur,
that I should conduct them with distinction. The probable
employment of the next Governor-General will be, like that of
the last, economy and details of civil administration, with the
amendment of the Code, and the settlement of the new questions
arising from the late Act. In economy I never excelled, and
for details I shall feel the want of that local knowledge I had
at Bombay. With respect to the Code, I fear I should be more
against sudden changes than would suit the Commissioners,
and I should therefore probably have the talents of Macaulay,
backed by public opinion at home, to contend with. About
the settlement of Europeans, &c., I could, I think, with ease
give in fully to all the plans which have been determined on,
though I should not have advised them. In foreign politics I
should probably be most in my element. I suppose, coming
after an unpopular man, being myself an Indian, and thinking
effect to one^s wishes and opinions, may have tempted me to
consider the offer if likely to have been attended with success.
" Sed mihi tarda gelu morbisque effeta senectus
Invidet imperiumT
^ Ngpf 1.—Another and much more encouraging letter
from Mr. Tucker, after he had talked with some of his col-
leagues, has made me give a more serious consideration to the
question. I spoke to Dr. Jephson, who with his sanguine turn
declares that, if I will live as he tells me he will answer for my
health in India, and that he will give me a certificate for the
Alliance Life Insurance, in which he has a large interest. As far
as health goes, therefore, though my own opinion would have been
quite the reverse of Dr. Jephson's, it might be worth my while
to consult medical men who were experienced in hot climates.
But the first question is, would the situation suit me if there
were no obstacle to my taking it ? I must premise that, as
there is no particular crisis in India, and I have no particular
abilities, I may assume that it is of no consequence to the
public whether I go or another. I have therefore only personal
considerations to attend to. Now the chance of great events
occurring is not considerable, nor is it certain, if they did occur,
that I should conduct them with distinction. The probable
employment of the next Governor-General will be, like that of
the last, economy and details of civil administration, with the
amendment of the Code, and the settlement of the new questions
arising from the late Act. In economy I never excelled, and
for details I shall feel the want of that local knowledge I had
at Bombay. With respect to the Code, I fear I should be more
against sudden changes than would suit the Commissioners,
and I should therefore probably have the talents of Macaulay,
backed by public opinion at home, to contend with. About
the settlement of Europeans, &c., I could, I think, with ease
give in fully to all the plans which have been determined on,
though I should not have advised them. In foreign politics I
should probably be most in my element. I suppose, coming
after an unpopular man, being myself an Indian, and thinking