Don't you see how the British Government are going on, taking country after country year after year, in order to manage them better than they were managed under others?
and don't you see how these countries thrive under their strong and just Government?
Do you think that God would permit them to go on as they do unless he thought that it was for the good of the people who come under their rule ?" Turning to me, the Rajah continued: "When I was one day riding over the country with Colonel Low, the then Resident, as I now ride with you, sir, he said, with a sigh, 'In this country of Oude what darkness prevails! No one seems to respect the right of another; and every one appears to be grasping at the possessions of his neighbour, without any fear of God or the King'-- 'True, sir,' said I; 'but do you not see that it is the necessary order of things, and must be ordained by Providence?
Is not your Government going on taking country after country, and benefiting all it takes?
And will not Providence prosper their undertakings as long as they do so?
The moment they come to a stand, all will be confusion.

Sovereigns cannot stand still, sir; the moment _their bellies are full_ (their ambition ceases), they and the countries they govern retrograde.

No sovereign in India, sir, that has any regard for himself or his country, can with safety sit down and say that _his belly is full_ (that he has no further ambition of conquest): he must go on to the last.'"* [* The Rajah's reasoning was drawn from the practice in Oude, of seizing upon the possessions of weaker neighbours, by means of gangs of robbers.

The man who does this, becomes the slave of his gangs, as the imperial robber, who seizes upon smaller states by means of his victorious armies, becomes their slave, and, ultimately, their victim, The history of India is nothing more than the biography of such men, and the Rajah has read no other.] The poor belted attendant of Chotee Sing was confounded with the logic and eloquence of the old Rajah, and said nothing more; and Chotee Sing himself kept quietly behind on his horse, with his ears well wrapped up in warm cloth, as the morning was very cold, and he was not well.

He looked very grave, and evidently thought the Rajah had outlived his understanding.