Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/166

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GUJARÁT AND THE GUJARÁTIS.

Dustoor frames in a looking-glass or a mirror. It is said that Sir Philip Wodehouse,[1] who had a mortal horror of the Dustoor, actually contemplated an anti-Dustoori Act; but Mr. Gibbs,[2] who has a tear for every sinner, interposed, and said a J.P.-ship[3] would do as well. I am not quite sure if the Dustoor is yet branded with those terrible letters of fire; but sooner or later he is sure to be a J.P. That is his kishmct.[4]Poor man! It will be the last straw on the camel's back. May he be spared that last bitter humiliation. They have made him a Fellow[5] already, lower than the Puttawala.[6] The Dustoor is afflicted by a fell disease, a most enervating and gangrenous tumour on each of his shoulders. The tumour has a very pleasant exterior, but there is no concealing the fact that it is noxious at the core. The disease is called Shetlia by social doctors, and threatens to be the death of the poor Dustoor.

What to do with the Shett-ridden Dustoor in

  1. Governor of Bombay in 1875.
  2. Now Member of the Supreme Council of India.
  3. Justice of the Peace—an honorary office in Bombay.
  4. Fate.
  5. Fellow of the University.
  6. A belted messenger.