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THE LUCULLUS OF INDIA.

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him, in his graphic pages, "the Lucullus of India." It is no small thing this! A beggarly Brahmin boy, leaving a charity-school at the early age of thirteen, friendless, beholden to others for even the bread of poverty, rising step after step, without recommendation, without education, through the sheer force of his own powerful intellect, to the highest post in a State office, -thus growing into a man, burdened with business of the greatest responsibility, engaged, on the one hand, with making up the deficiencies of an early education by intense self-labour and study, and satisfying, on the other, a share of the social cares and concerns of the complicated Hindoo Society, editing single-handed a paper in the English language, which influenced the Government in the dictates of their just course and policy, vindicated the right and honour of an entire nation, and excited admiration and called forth eulogy, not only in words of oral

delivery, and pages of ephemeral production, but also in the writings of those English authors who are more likely to live than die even in the far West, where mind has attained to the latest feature of its development in the run of present civilisation!

After the suppression of the Mutinies, the

tone of the Patriot sobered down for a time into calm suggestions for reconstructing the disordered elements of government; but soon did it elevate itself again in emphatic and reiterated protest against the inhumanity and oppression of the Indigo Planter towards the ignorant and helpless Ryot. The latter, prostrated as he completely was, at the duplicity and addresse of the former, in managing his affairs of mean aggrandisement and chicanery, had no hope of relief, or even of succour, until he saw Baboo Harrischander willing to impart both with all his patriotism and humanity. He confided his cause to the voluntary advocate, with a reliance worthy of him who, in his turn, accepted the charge with a deep sense of its responsibility and sacredness; gave to it his time, his intellect, his heart; his days and nights, his enthusiasm and devotion; and discharged it with that faithfulness and zeal which Providence usually rewards, as He did most distinctly in this, with ultimate success.

At the same time, Harris allied himself with the British India Association, which, it is not too sanguine to say, promises at no distant date to be the glorious "House of Commons" in India. The history of this Association has been

THE BRITISH INDIA ASSOCIATION.

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the history of what immense benefit one powerful intellect, exercising its energies in the right direction, can do for an entire nation, and leave a glorious heritage to future generations "to paint a moral and adorn a tale." Already it has mitigated the reproach so long cast on our nationthat our best energies were only confined to the desk and the counter,-by distinctly showing, that, as occasion requires, we can even as well advise and regulate politics. Already it has been the source of great national benefit, by averting the imposition of ruinous and improper taxes, by sagely persuading the authorities out of their crudely-formed views; already it has been acknowledged to muster statesmanlike wisdom and prescience within its ranks, so as to sit in a fit conclave of consultation on any question of importance and interest; already it has been recognised as the great representative of the people of this country, to express their feelings, wants, and convenience in every department of government; and already it is being consulted by Government on every question of internal policy as such. This Association was formed, and it achieved all this, mainly through the energy and exertions of Baboo Harrischander; and this reflects no small amount of credit

on the power and force of his intellect. Scepticism is one of the safe and cautious characteristics of the English people—nothing is believed at first; and this habitual resistance to novelties might be applauded as a sound instinct, if it did not sometimes obstruct the progress of knowledge; and it was with a people so habituated that Baboo Harris succeeded in getting himself heard, even with respect, as a suggestive patriot! His fame now culminated; he was introduced to every one, and every one heard his suggestions and revelations in regard and good faith, even when he did not appreciate their full worth. "Rien ne réussit jamais comme le succès," says the French proverb"there's nothing half so successful as success,' say the Americans, translating the untranslatable; and the full force of its truth was here exemplified. He, to whom neither European nor Native would vouchsafe the meanest berth, which he at first stood so sadly in need of, was now the friend and companion of the greatest and the richest of the country; he, who was but twelve years before a common clerk, so lightly valued as to be pinned to a three-legged desk and broken chair at the lowest step, was now the highest Native functionary of the office,

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CLIMAX OF HARRIS'S FORTUNE.

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more honoured and better appreciated than even his immediate European superiors, by the Government and the public; and he, who was scoffed at in the beginning of his public career, as a mere "nigger" and a "pandy"--when it was the fashion to politely utter these little catchwords of distinctive abuse on the part of every splenetic English journalist at a loss for something to argue, was now respected, esteemed, admired; recommended as a State-craftsman upon all topics of the time; and, in spite of his inherent unfortunate position, which gained him no practical experience of State politics, rescued from the obscurity of a tiny English. hebdomadal to be the leading spokesman of India! But in the midst of these achievements, time and incessant toil had gradually broken down the health of this Patriot and Philosopher. The evening of life had come, surely, and but too quickly; and at the appointed hour, calm and happy, with his mind full of radiant hope and triumph, with a consciousness of having lived a life of usefulness and fellow-feeling for God's creatures on earth, and of holy communion with the Spirit above, this Martyr of public labour breathed his last.

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