[Following the Equator Part 5 by Mark Twain]@TWC D-Link bookFollowing the Equator Part 5 CHAPTER XLI 15/17
For not stripping them bare by sudden and arbitrary tax levies, and bringing famine upon them; 3.
For not upon empty pretext destroying the rich and seizing their property; 4.
For not killing, blinding, imprisoning, or banishing the relatives of the royal house to protect the throne from possible plots; 5.
For not betraying the subject secretly, for a bribe, into the hands of bands of professional Thugs, to be murdered and robbed in the prince's back lot. Those were rather common princely industries in the old times, but they and some others of a harsh sort ceased long ago under English rule. Better industries have taken their place, as this Address from the Jain community will show: "Your Highness,--We the undersigned members of the Jain community of Bombay have the pleasure to approach your Highness with the expression of our heartfelt congratulations on the recent conference on your Highness of the Knighthood of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India.
Ten years ago we had the pleasure and privilege of welcoming your Highness to this city under circumstances which have made a memorable epoch in the history of your State, for had it not been for a generous and reasonable spirit that your Highness displayed in the negotiations between the Palitana Durbar and the Jain community, the conciliatory spirit that animated our people could not have borne fruit.
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