the Government. They knew that Mr. Tilak's person was most distasteful to the Government. They, therefore, induced Tai Maharaj to see Mr. Aston (Agent to the Sardars of the Deccan and District Judge) at his bungalow and seek his protection against the 'tyranny' of Mr. Tilak. They would surely have failed in this diabolical intrigue had Mr. Aston been less impulsive or more fair-minded. But Mr. Tilak was to Mr. Aston what a red rag is to the bull. It was impossible in the very nature of things that Mr. Aston, who once had sentenced a poor editor to transportation for life for simply writing against the Government, to lose this golden opportunity of distinguishing himself and earning the gratitude of Government. When moreover he saw that some respectable (?) persons in the town supported Tai Maharaj, his fury knew no bounds. His fury incapacitated him from making inquiries regarding the truth or otherwise of the allegations. The earnest appeal of a young widow for protection, the strong support she had of a number of respectable-looking men, and the golden opportunity of crushing an individual odious to the Government—all this was too much for Mr. Aston, who promised protection to Tai Maharaj in his double capacity as District Judge and Agent to the Deccan Sardars. As regards the Bombay Government, their relations with Mr. Tilak are well-known, and their implicit faith in the conduct of and procedure followed by Mr. Aston was apparently perfectly natural."
On July 29th, 1901, Tai Maharaj applied for revocation of the Probate granted to Mr. Tilak and other trustees. Mr. Aston, before whom the proceedings
