opean cultivators
and landholders, who are the natural and legitimate advisers of the
native peasantry on such questions as those to which I have been
referring.

We can improve communication so as to render the transport of the raw
material to the ports of shipment more cheap and rapid.

To these and similar measures the attention of the Government of India
is earnestly directed; with every disposition to take such further
means of stimulating production as prudence may justify.

I have written at some length, but the importance of the subject and
my respect for your opinion are my excuse.

* * * * *

_To Sir Charles Wood._

Calcutta, May 9th, 1862.

[Sidenote: Orientals not satisfied with show of power.]

I know that it is customary with certain people whose opinions are
entitled to respect, to act on the assumption that all Orientals are
children, amused and gratified by external trappings and ceremonies
and titles, and ready to put up with the loss of real dignity and
power if they are only permitted to enjoy the semblance of it. I am
disposed to question the correctness of this assumption. I believe, on
the contrary, that the Eastern imagination is singularly prone to
invest outward things with a symbolic character; and that relaxations
on points of form are valued by them, chiefly because they are held
necessarily to imply concessions on substantial matters.

* * * * *

_To Sir Charles Wood._

Calcutta, June 21st, 1862.

[Sidenote: Imprudence of a missionary.]

You may be interested by reading a letter (of which I enclose a copy)
written by the officer commanding the cavalry at Delhi on the subject
of an alleged assault by a native trooper on a missionary. I should
think that the cause of Christian truth and charity would be as well
served by preaching in a church or a building of some sort, as by
holding forth in the streets in a city full of fanatical unbelievers.
If I am told that the Apostles pursued the latter course, I would
observe that they had the authorities as well as the mob against them,
and took not only the thrashings of the latter, but also the judicial
penalties inflicted by the former, like men. It is a very different
matter when you have a powerful Government to fall back upon, and