certain amount of uneasiness, perhaps even of distrust. The late Sir Henry Daly, one of the ablest of Indian political administrators of modern times, who held charge of the group of States, seventy-two in number, comprised within the Central India Agency, used to tell of a conversation with one of the great Mahratta Chiefs about the time of the Russian advance on Merv. He had deprecated the Maharaja's anxiety and his thirst for information as to what Russia was going to do. 'Was she going to attack India?' 'What side would the Amir of Afghanistan take?' 'Was England strong enough to repulse an attack?' 'What would be the result to Native States if Russia took India?' Sir Henry assured the Maharaja that there was no immediate cause for alarm, and pointed out that Native States enjoyed, under British protection, comfort and ease such as they had never known under any other regime. 'Yes,' said the Maharaja, 'that is true; but although a man is comfortable and easy when he is asleep, still he likes sometimes to turn over on the other side.'
Of recent years the Chiefs have spoken with no such uncertain voice. In 1886, after the Penjdeh incident, when war with Russia seemed to be imminent, His Highness the Nizam came forward with a spontaneous offer of pecuniary aid for the defence of the Empire; this was echoed by many other Chiefs, and, although the Government of India found themselves unable to accept money from the Chiefs, their willing tribute of assistance was taken in the form of a quota of troops for Imperial service. This organization, commenced by Lord Dufferin, has since been expanded, until at the present day the force, maintained by twenty-three States for Imperial defence, amounts to 16,000 men—divided into cavalry, infantry, and transport—trained, disciplined, armed, and ready to take their place with the King's Indian Army whenever and wherever their services are required. These troops have already been utilized in the wars on the Kashmir frontier, in the Tirah, and in China. The Maharajas of Gwalior, Bikanir, and
