ship for the Duke was so well known to the public in general
as not to render such a construction possible, and although she had
thought that another pedestal would have been more suitable for _this_
statue, and that the Arch might have been more becomingly ornamented
in honour of the Duke than by the statue _now_ upon it, she has given
immediate direction that the Statue should remain in its present
situation, and only regrets that this monument should be so unworthy
of the great personage to whose honour it has been erected.

[Pageheading: INDIAN AFFAIRS]

_Viscount Hardinge to Queen Victoria._

_27th July 1847._

Lord Hardinge, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, humbly
acknowledges the letter in which your Majesty has been graciously
pleased to approve of his conduct in the Government of your Majesty's
Eastern Empire, and to sanction his return to Europe the end of this
year.

It will always be a source of happiness to Lord Hardinge to have
contributed his efforts towards maintaining the stability of your
Majesty's Indian possessions committed to his charge, and he feels, in
the performance of these duties, that the approbation of his Sovereign
is the most grateful distinction to which honourable ambition can
aspire.

The Governor-General entertains the most sanguine expectations that
peace has been securely established beyond the north-west frontiers,
as well as throughout India, and in this confidence he has ordered
nearly 50,000 men of the native force to be reduced, which reductions
have caused no discontent, being for the most part voluntary on the
part of the men and accompanied by gratuities in proportion to the
service performed.

As regards internal dangers, there is no native power remaining able
to face a British army in the field. The people are very generally
engaged in trade and agriculture, and to a great extent in the British
Provinces no longer carry arms. Confidence in the protection of the
Government has superseded the necessity. Formerly trade and wealth
were concentrated in a few large cities--and Indian manufactures have
been ruined by cheaper goods sent from England; but wealth and comfort
have, under British rule, been more extensively diffused through the
agricultural districts, and all classes, including the warlike tribes,
are becoming more devoted to the happier and safer pursuits of peace.

In this state of things Lord Hardinge entertains a very confident
expect