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district, Azamgarh; but he probably saw something of its consequences, and at all events was fully cognizant of its horrors. As Secretary to the Governor-General in Council, and to the newly formed Government of the North-Western Provinces, he had much preliminary information regarding the projects for the greater canals in these Provinces, and the lesser canals existing or projected. He hoped by these means, at least, to mitigate misery, should drought recur. On taking in hand the reins of Government for himself, he at once entered on this business, beginning with the lesser canals. He arranged for irrigation in the 'Great Dry Tract' (ominous name) between the river Sutlej and the sandy dunes that form the watershed of the Ganges and the Indus. But this was to be done with popular help, and for that he insisted on security of tenure. His minute sets forth, 'men will not undertake to improve the land until we assure every man of his right.' He caused the old works, especially those on both banks of the Jumna near Delhi, constructed by former Native Governments, to be restored, enlarged, utilized. His quick eye, however, discovered that Native canals were unscientifically laid out, and were seldom conducted along the most favourable lines of country. Therefore he planned new works in various localities, often with very insufficient professional assistance, and by self-help he secured progress as well as initiation. During his life-time there were extant memoranda in his own hand regarding these canals, which, if now