CiiAP. III.] HINDOO GOVEKNMENT. 107
thus reserved for the goldsmith may be thought justifiable from the difficulty of ad.
detecting his frauds, and the value of the materials with which he is intrusted ; but most persons will see in this shocking punishment, only an exemplification of the barbarous manner in which criminal justice was, and still is administered by Hindoo sovereigns.
Another important branch of government, not yet considered, is its foreign Foreign policy, or the measures rendered necessary by the relations, peaceful or warlike, which it may bear to other states. For it must always be remembered that India did not form one single undivided empire, but was composed of a number of separate and independent' sovereignties, always jealous of each other, and often engaged in open hostilities. The importance attached to the office of ambassador, and the qualifications necessary for the performance of its duties, have already been adverted to. Incidental notice has also been taken of the division of the kingdom into military districts, and the appointment of a com- mander-in-chief with a "company of guards," evidently of the nature of a standing army, to act as " the protectors of the realm." The leading principle by which the king is to be guided in his foreign policy is to be " always ready for action." While acting on all occasions " without guile and never with insin- cerity," he is to keep himself "ever on his guard." In the exercise of this caution he is to consider " the power immediately beyond him, and the favourer of that power" as hostile, "the power next beyond" as amicable, and all powers still more remote as neutral. His troops are to be "constantly exercised ; his prowess constantly displayed ; what he ought to secure, constantly secured ; and the weak- ness of his foe constantly investigated." At the same time he must be careful not to disclose his own " vulnerable part." On this subject the advice is, " Like a tortoise, let him draw in his members under the shell of concealment, and diligently let him repair any breach that may be made in it; like a heron, let him muse on gaining advantages ; like a lion, let him put forth his strength; like a wolf, let him creep towards his prey; like a hare, let him double to secure his retreat." In short, " Let him so arrange all his affairs, that no ally, neutral prince, or enemy may obtain any advantage over him ; this, in a few words, is the sum of political wisdom." He must not be satisfied, however, with acting on the defensive. Glory and conquest rather than peace must be his object, since "those rulers of the earth, who, desirous of defeating each other, exert their utmost strength in battle, without ever averting their faces, ascend after death directly to heaven." With such a stimulus added to the innate ambition of rulers, it is not strange that war seems to be contemplated as their natural and necessary employment. Accordingly, the principles on which the king is to act are thus inculcated: "What he has not gained, let him strive to gain ; what he has acquired, let him preserve with care ; what he preserves, let him augment ; and what he has augmented, let him bestow on the deserving."
In accordance with these principles, the existence of war being assumed, a
