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JOHN RUSSELL COLVIN

the cause of English education. He used all his influence to secure a better class of native tribunals, and to that end to improve the status of native judges. As Lieutenant-Governor he gave his first care to the Courts of Justice; and, when the Mutinies fell upon him, he was engaged in a large scheme for the reform of his provincial police. His compassion for the ignorant impulses of the masses survived the shock of the Mutinies. He had seen to what despair men might bo driven by the denial of redress. The importance had been brought home to him of dealing at once with discontent, and of leaving no permissible effort untried to detach from their leaders such as were victims of sincere delusion. At a later date, the endeavour to build a bridge of retreat for misguided men brought him into sharp collision with the supreme Government. When he addressed his Proclamation of May 25, 1857, to the followers of Mangal Pándi, it is certain that there was present to his mind the lesson brought home to it a quarter of a century before by the fate of the disciples of Títú Mian.

His inquiry completed, Mr. Colvin returned to Calcutta, where in 1832 he succeeded Mr. Thomason in his post of Deputy Secretary in the Revenue and Judicial Department, and remained practising himself in the routine of a great central office. The machinery of the Administration, with all its wheels, pulleys, rods, and cranks, was working daily before his eyes. To all, such a discipline is useful; but