The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-23 00:00:00

civilised heads of the province, who have long re-
cognised the policy of keeping on terms with the
British, was the gathering of the rough represen-
tatives of the border tribes, who thus openly
acknowledged the supremacy of the invader. Sir
JOHN LAWRENCE, in addressing this mixed
assembly, reminded them that it was six years
since he had been among them, but that for
thirteen years before that time he had lived
in the Punjaub, and that he had been assoe
ciated with his brother, the lamented Sir HENRY,
who was one of many gallant sons England lost
during the mutiny of 1557. Together they had
striven to improve the condition of the province,
to relieve the burdens of the people, to supply the
wants of the different classes and races who inhabit
it, and to introduce among them those great appli-
cations of modern skill and science which are so
advantageous to every country. The construction
of roads and canals and the establishment of schools
have been among the most conspicuous of the
benefits conferred by the British rule on the wild
uncivilised North-West. The Viceroy, indeed, never
loses an opportunity of impressing on the people
the advantages of education, and boldly advises
them to break through their traditional custom by
extending the blessings of instruction even to their
daughters. Such a reform, if it could be brought
about, would exercise immense influence on the civili-
sation of India, and would remove some of the most
formidable obstacles in the:way:of its moral and re-
ligious progress. Sir JOHN LAWRENCE, in address-
ing the Durbar, pointed out to the chiefs the neces-
sity of both rulers and people acquiring some degree
of knowledge of each other's language, that they
may understand each other and live peaceably to-
gether. Sir JOHN himself inculcated this precept
by example, for he addressed the assembly in Hie.
dostanee, an achievement of which few Governors-
General have been capable. It would unquestion-
ably be very beneficial for India if our Anglo.
Indian officials would acquire the language of the
people among whom they live. The gulf which
stretches between the races is sufficiently broad
without each aide being dependent on careless or
perhaps mischievous interpreters for the means of
communication. It is besides almost impossible to
enter fully into the mind and character of a people
when ignorant of their language, Their very
idioms and manner of expression convey to the
acute observer some impression of their tone of
thought and feeling, and the more extensively such
knowledge is acquired by Englishmen the better it
will be for India and for their own supremacy. The
immense advantages which accrue to the natives
from becoming acquainted with the English tongue
are of course at once apparent, and in the more
civilised portions of the country it is a general
study. If Sir JOHN LAWRENCE can succeed in in-
, during the frontier tribes to follow the same
course, it will be the best security against
the repetition of fruitless and costly wars.
The Viceroy, while at Lahore, opened the
Mooltan section of the Punjaub Railway,
another important adjunct in the civilisation of
the north-west; and he also presented the Rajah of
Kuppoortulla with the Star of India, a ceremony
which excited great interest in the vicinity. The
Rajah was one of the first native chiefs who ranged
himself on our side in the year of the mutiny, and
his troops took an active part in the subjugation of
Gude. This testimonial to his fidelity was there-
fore well bestowed. It is an important part of the
duties of an administration to know how and when
to reward merit as well as to punish misconduct ;
and, unhappily, our Government are generally
much less prompt and efficient in the one line than
the other. Let us hope, however, that a better day
is at length dawning at last for India, and that we
may not have again to reproach our own indiffere
ence and neglect for evils of serious magnitude.