The country comes into his hands by the most legitimate of all modes, the zealous efforts of the natives to place themselves under his rule; and to enjoy the benefits of a Government, which, when administered by a man like him, is one of the best in the world." The Canarese ryots of this southern Mahratta territory had heard of his fame from their fellow-countrymen in Bellary; and therefore, to use the, words of Canning, "the population which he subjugated by arms, he managed with such address, equity, and wisdom, that he established an empire over their hearts and feelings."

Wearied and worn, enfeebled in health by the exertions of this trying campaign, which had told even on his herculean frame, General Munro, accompanied by his wife, returned to England at the conclusion of the war. They started in January 1819; but they had not been there long when he was appointed Governor of the Presidency in which he had spent so many years of hard and unremitting toil. They landed again at Madras June 8, 1820, and he held the high position to which he had been so deservedly advanced until the day of his death just seven years afte wards. A full account of his beneficent rule cannot b given here; but a very good impression will be gained the manner in which he performed the important dutie confided to his charge, if a brief account is given of hi daily life as Governor, of the principles that actuated hi measures, and of the personal contact that he managed t maintain with the people at large. Throughout ever duty, he endeavoured to act on his own maxim that "th superintending influence of a Governor should be felt i every corner of his province." He was now Sir Thoma Munro, having, before he left England, been created Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.

The mode in which Sir Thomas Munro arranged hi daily work will prove the extreme conscientiousnes with which he endeavoured to dischange his high dutie as Governor; and a comparison of the following stat ment with the account of his work some twenty yea

fore will show that he worked as hard when he was overnor, as he did when he was only a Collector. Of urse some little variation would be made in the daily und, according as to whether he was at Madras or in mp during one of his frequent up-country tours. He se at day-break, and took a ride or walk for two or three ours. On certain mornings he walked in one well-known rection, and was ready to listen to any one who might ish to speak to him. On these occasions he was unattend, except, perhaps, by a peon or some old revenue servant. ne people flocked to meet him, and he personally received eir petitions, and promised to attend to them himself. reakfast was at eight, and after it he had interviews with ch European officers as might wish to consult him. t half past nine he withdrew to his study, where he reained immersed in business till four, which was his diner hour. On certain days he had to attend the public usiness in the Council Chamber. After dinner he took a ive with Lady Munro, and then returned to transact ore business until eight, when he joined the family circle, d, except when there was company, an aid-de-camp or me other person whom he might request read aloud. He as particularly fond of hearing the debates in the British. arliament, which he liked to follow, or a novel of Sir alter Scott, an author who always delighted him.

We shall now state briefly some of the principles on hich he conducted his government, as they will serve to ow how great was the anxiety he felt for the people comitted to his charge. He was most desirous of employg Hindus and Muhammadans in all appointments where eir services could be available. He prepared a scheme the instruction of such and training them for the pubservice. He was also anxious that all employed in at service should be adequately remunerated, and reive a sufficient pension when incapacitated by sickness or 1 age. He was very strong on the point of not permitting em to hold land in the districts where they were serv, so that the temptation of being privy to the sale of

J

land which they wished to purchase might be entirely rof moved. He was very desirous that the junior civilianshould always begin their service in the revenue depart ment, in order that they might be brought into closer corf tact with the people, and acquire an affection for them b becoming acquainted with the affairs of their daily lifir For the same reason he always spoke strongly on the necessity of their acquiring a thorough knowledge of the Vernacular languages.

d

After he had been some four or five years occupied Governor, the climate and the strain of continuous labou began to tell upon Sir Thomas Munro. "I am liker over-worked horse and require a little rest" he wrote. He had, of late, experienced much happiness in his domestic life. Two sons had been born to him, Lady Munro and had, however, been obliged to undergo the trial which is sure to come on all Anglo-Indians in having to part with their children for a season, and latterly he had to bear the additional trial of parting from Lady Munro on accoute of ill-health. Twice he sent in his resignation, which th authorities in England were loath to accept. On the fir occasion he remained in office because the first Burme War had broken out, in which the army of Madras to its full share, and the experience of the Governor Madras was needed to render assistance to the Governme of India. The second time his resignation was proffere it was accepted; but an unwarrantable delay was made appointing his successor.

in

In order to make himself fully acquainted with eve part of his province, Sir Thomas Munro made lengthend tours up-country. He enjoyed none of these tours much as those through his old charges-the Báramah and the Ceded Districts. The end came when he was camp, travelling through the latter. He had started the end of May 1827, and had reached Gooty on July There was a good deal of cholera, but he had se much of it, and showed no apprehension of danger nor The camp, however, was attacked, and several sepoys b

Pat

$4

longing to the Governor's guard died. On the morning of the 6th Sir Thomas Munro started for a ten miles' march In excellent spirits and apparently in good health. On the way he conversed freely with some of the ryots whom he met, warmly expressing his pleasure at hearing of the recent improvement reported in their crops. Soon after reaching the village of Pattikonda he adjourned to the audience tent; but, while in the very midst of transacting business with the Collector, he was suddenly taken ill. At first no apprehension was felt; but he rapidly sank. During his illness, he showed his usual consideration for others, and requested the friends who had gathered in his tent to leave it, remarking, "It is not fair to keep you in an infected chamber." About three o'clock he felt a little better, and, with a sweet smile, said to those around, "It is almost worthwhile being ill, in order to be so kindly nursed." This improvement was only transient, and at half-past nine he fell asleep. He was buried at Gooty next day in the little cemetery beneath the rugged hill fortress. Thus, in the midst of the work in which he pre-eminently excelled, in the old district where he had spent so many happy and useful days, "the father of the people," as he had affectionately been called, died among his people. Perhaps, there was no one of our Anglo-Indian statesmen who more thoroughly identified himself with the people of India, and especially with the ryots, than Sir Thomas Munro. No one more fully felt with them and for them. He was also thoroughly imbued with the idea of duty. Self-interest seemed never to step before duty. The aim of his life was to advance the good of the Hindus themselves, which he regarded as so thoroughly identified with the interests of the English in India that they could not be separated. He was open and honest as the day. Whether writing the description of a battle as a subaltern or an elaborate minute as a Governor, he simply stated facts as they were without exaggeration or embellishment. He appeared to some to be rather hard and stern; but this impression may have been made by the infirmity of deafness, with which he was afflicted in early

life, and which troubled him even to the lagt. This possibly gave him an abstracted, and apparently haughty manner. It is stated by his biographer that he was a truly religious man, that he never permitted a day to pass without setting aside some portion of it for devotional exercises, and that he was a diligent student of Scripture. To none are the inhabitants of Southern India more deeply indebted than to Sir Thomas Munro, to whom more than to any one else can appropriately be awarded the honourable designation, "the friend of the Indian ryot."