e with all men who are struggling
to be free; but we have no idea of conquest here, and were Peru to offer
to come under our rule we should not accept it. We have already wide
possessions in North America and elsewhere, and need no further
territories, especially in a climate that is unfitted for us. We might
rule it as we do India, but the Peruvians would never be contented, and we
should never attempt to keep them in subjection did they wish us gone.
India, the country you speak of, is inhabited by many races and religions.
Before we went, there were incessant wars, and were we to leave they would
at once recommence. The people, then, feel that our rule is a real
benefit, and that they are far happier under it than they were under their
native rulers. When we went there we had no thought of conquering it; we
only went there to trade. It was because we were attacked that we defended
ourselves, and there are still portions of the country that are altogether
independent, and so long as the native sovereigns leave us alone we are
well contented that things should remain as they are. We do not enrich
ourselves at the expense of the natives. They have to pay taxes to keep up
the expenses of the army and administration there, but England draws no
revenue from India. It does not, as Spain did, enrich itself with the
plunder of the land; and it is free to people of all nations to trade
there as we do ourselves. Individuals may gain wealth there by commerce,
or by the growth of indigo and other things that we cannot raise at home,
but as a nation we obtain no revenue whatever from India. The army there
is for the most part raised from the people, who are free to enlist or not
as they please, and who fight as faithfully for us as they would have done
for their own rulers."

"Then what do you gain by being there?" Hurka asked.

"We gain in the trade that is carried on by our merchants selling English
goods there, and buying Indian produce. The army and the civil government
furnish employment to large numbers of Englishmen. These are the only
material advantages that, so far as I know, we gain; although of course it
is a matter of pride and satisfaction to Englishmen that they rule over so
great a country, and that our presence there is of enormous advantage to
the people."

"And are there no gold or silver mines there?" Pita asked.

"No; at any rate nothing that has been worked since we went there."

"Ah, if you would but com