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JAMES THOMASON

exhibition of sorrow; why should the limit be fixed at the revolution of the world round the sun, rather than of the moon round the world? How trifling these things appear, except as they bear on the one great object of our lives, namely our eternal state.'

In private charity he was generous, but with discrimination. Of all the deserving charities which existed, or were set on foot in his Provinces, not one was left without his subscription. His munificence embraced churches, colleges, schools, medical dispensaries, orphanages, and the like. He set aside a tithe of his large official income for good works, but this limit was often exceeded.

While following the dictates of this charity, and maintaining the outward dignity of his high station, not extravagantly but handsomely — he yet by affectionate care succeeded in making a moderate provision for each one of his five surviving children.

The following account has been recorded by Mr. John Walter Sherer, late of the Bengal Civil Service, who was for several years Assistant Secretary to the Government at Agra: —

'Waiting once in Sir Robert Montgomery's study in Cornwall Gardens, London, I observed over the fire-place a portrait of Mr. Thomason. Sir Robert entered. I said pointing up, "I have never found his equal." He replied with emphasis — "Nor I — ever." He, like myself (as he kindly explained), was not at the time thinking of Thomason's achievements, — but of the peculiar genuineness of the man; — his devotion to duty, his abnegation of self;