the groundwork of that judicial system which has since proved on the whole a permanent blessing for the people of India. Hastings' work indeed was partially undone in 1782 by the Court of Directors, who ordered Impey's removal from his new office. But Impey's Code remained, and one purpose of Hastings' experiment was secured by an Act of Parliament defining the powers and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. It was only in 1861, however, that his great scheme for bringing all the Company's Courts under the direct control of a Crown Judge was completely realised by the statute which invested the new High Courts in each Presidency and Province with full jurisdiction over all the country courts, civil and criminal[1].
In the midst of wars actual or impending, Hastings kept his mind open to all kinds of matters bearing on local or administrative needs. He established a Madrasa, or Muhammadan college, for the benefit of the numerous Musalmán youths in Bengal. He tried to open a friendly intercourse with Cochin-China, and he made some vigorous efforts to establish a regular line of communication with Europe by way of Egypt and the Bed Sea. He took a warm interest in Major Bennell's survey work, and strongly recommended him on his return home in 1782 to the good offices of the East India Directors. Goddard, Pearse, and other skilled officers were enjoined to make careful surveys of the country they marched through. With the
- ↑ Gleig, Stephen, Chesney's Indian Polity.
