The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-04-02

NEW men, in history, have risen
X to rival demigods, have stag
gered beneath the responsibility
of complete dominion, have oc-
cupied the office of supreme resort or
have dictated with absolute certainty
the hopes and fears, the joys and sor-
rows of millions of human beings.
Yet we are about to relate the Incl
dents of a course Of events which
lifted a great man to the golden PIN
nacle of his career, which defined an
important epoch in our past, which
modelled the destiny of great people
and which, perhaps, gauged the trend
of many nations.
When, in 1854, Warren Hastings re-
turned to England, his stay was des-
tined to be of a temporary nature; yet
in its very brevity replete with great
associations, fortunate in its Oppor-
tunities of information and intellec-
tual accomplishment. Four years
were passed in the society Of distin-
guished men of many professions and
in the pursuit of favorite studies; and
when in 1768, Hastings decided to re-
turn to India, we hold, for the pur-
pose of replenishing his depleted, if
not exhausted fortune, it was with
some satisfaction that he turned to re-
view the results of this brief period.
He had almost succeeded in estab-
fishing at Oxford University depart
ment purposed to the study of Persian
literature. He had been favored with
the friendship and high esteem Of
johnson, had relieved his relatives of
severe financial want and, what seemed
likely, had effected an enduring posi-
tion in the society and calculation of
his countrymen. The directors of the
East India Company speedily and gra-
-ciously accepted Hastings offer of ser.
vices, favored him with manifold ex-
pressions Of their beliefin his integrity
and ability and appointed him mem-
Der of council at Madras.
1t was in the spring of 1859 that he
embarked for India second time.
The voyage, which at that time, COW
cred period of several months, proved
to be not only agreeable, but peculiarly
-eventful as well. In fact, its details
strangely resemble dime novel tran
sactiun. We have every reason to sus-
pect that Hastings was characteristic.
ally sensible, yet we would, by nc
means, insinuate his stole devotion tc
misogyny. In fact, we are inclined tc
believe that he was capable of great
enduring love, not at all diffuse, but
chivalrous and eternal in its single ap
plication.
Among the inmates of thevessel wal
one Baron Imhof and wife. A 81.
fiirtation arose favorably between th'
Baroness and Hastings. Circum
stances combined to facilitate the in
tercourse until theirelation evolved ex
panded affections. There was but on
climax to this romantic affair, AM
with melodramatic grandeur the un
happy victims presented their suit be
fore the worthless and profligate Baron
Propitiated by assurances of no incon
siderable reward from Hastings, thi
fading embecile consented to com
plete separation from his spouse. Th
petition was to be presented to India
courts and by the provisions of tn
agreement Hastings was to supper
the Baron and his family for the seve
years which must intervene betwee
the time Of petitioning and the issu
of the decree. He was at that time
adopt the Baron's children and fave
the Baron with an appreciable settle
ment. So far IS we have been able I
learn the details of this remarkab
compact were observed by all the col
tracing parties with jealous puncti
i0usness.
Upon his arrival at Madras, Hastini
found the commercial interests of tt
Company in demoralized state I
neglect. Its servants had been allure
by political attractions to desert Il
tanner course Of commercial industr
To remedy this growing evil, to arou