by a combination of romantic and practical qualities, or by deeds of signal nobility, have raised up a mighty individuality as a household word among Europeans and Natives. Some have run a great career among Native States as diplomatists, and as representatives of the British Paramount with the Asiatic allies or vassals of the Empire. Some by study and research have added largely to the sum of European knowledge regarding Oriental laws, languages, antiquities. All these classes have contributed towards the formation of the fabric of British rule in India.
But to none of them did James Thomason belong. Whether his genius was fitted for these spheres, whether the bent of his mind was inclined strongly in these directions, are questions which need not be discussed. For he never was tried in these respects. He was, in the very best sense of the term, a man of peace. He was a great civil governor in ordinary times — that, indeed, in the highest degree; but not more than that. He took up, with comprehensive grasp and unerring insight, various principles and measures of the utmost consequence. Some of these, originated by others, had been advocated or begun before his time, but had not been carried to their legitimate conclusions. He, however, elaborated them till they became fully operative, till they produced all the good they were capable of producing. Though not the inventor, he identified himself with the inventions, and advanced
