New-York tribune., 1907-11-06
Lord Cnr@On's Speeches as Vicerou
of India.

LORD CqRzoN IN INDIA. Being select,o,
General Creme S of fRda gsdserOg and Governor
The Macmillan Company. " 49, 'O
The position Of Viceroy of India is NOT onIv
one of the highest dignity and unmeasured re-
sponsibity. it is one of great laboriousness. en-
falling conversance with the widest variety Of
subjects. The administrator of an empire is
also its chief spokesman. He receives the credit
when taxes are lowered or there is a surnl,Is of
revenue; he IS sure to be blamed If the plague
ravages or the land is visited by drouth. He
must also give an account of himself TO the
public lay cornerstones, open museums install
native princes and entertain visiting notabIes
besides running the governmental machine His
patronage is enormous. his power almost des-
potic his social status regal
To a man in such a post desirous OF doing
more than the routine service of his office the
gift Of expression is vital, and Lord Curzon's
facile eloquence has done much to gain ad-
herents for his energetic and ambitious policy.
The Viceroyalty is one of the great prizes Of
English public life and the public is generally
satisfied when it is awarded to a man whose
age and rank and public services entite him to
signal recognition. But Lord Curzon's qualif-
cations were more than ordinarily conspicuous
He had travelled far and frequently in the
East had repeatedly visited India under the
most favorable circumstances for observation
and study. had produced several works bearing
on the political aspects of Oriental admnistra-
ton and had served as Under Secretary for In
da and was the government representative in
the lower house. Few men have been better
qualified by taste and training and natural
ecuipment for the administration Of a great
post, and the object OF his early dreams was
realized when he was not yet lorty years Of
age At the end OF his term Of five years he had
the rare compliment Of an extension for two
wears more but irreconcilable differences aris
ing between the civil and military branches. he
resigned his office in the middle OF his second
term and returned. to England.
The present volume contains perhaps q quar-
Ter Of the speeches. more than two hundred and
fftv in number. delivered by the Vceroy in the
discharge Of his duties. They deal with famine,
art irrigation, frontier policy. commerce and
industry with all the principal topics upon
which legislation touched in an exceptionally
active period. They are all of them serious, for
Lord Curzon takes life and himself very seri-
ousIy: they are full Of aspiration and high ideals.
fluent perspicuous ard convincing. The vice
ROYALTY is supposed TO be a ron-political office,
and Lord Curzon reiterates his complete aloof-
ness from party, but as long as parties make
viceroys the general tendency of the home gov
eminent IS bound 10 be reflected in their ap-
pointees. The critics of his administration find
fault with a policy of imperialism, and there is
difference Of opinion as TO the extent of partici-
nation in government TO be conceded TO the
native.
Where India is under discussion there IS con-
slant talk of pro-native administrations and the
reverse. Lord Curzon leaves no doubt as to
where he stands. He INDUCES in no cheap talk
about ultimate independence. The brotherhood
Of man is not constantly evoked. He believes IN
the supremacy Of English arms and law or
English morals, Of English ideas; he views the
past with reverence. especially the English past
and believes that in the mystical union OF the
ennpire Englishman and Indian will work to-
gether side by side under English guidance for
the benefit Of mankind and the regeneration ot
India These views are maintained with lofti-
-sse NJ nurpose and an almost tedious correct