CHAPTER XLII. IMPORTANT SUBJECT OF THIS CONCLUSION; RETROSPECTION OF THE ENGLISH EAST INDIA COMPANY'S FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN HINDOSTAN; THEIR PRO GRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT, AND FLOURISHING STATE OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE IN INDIA, IN 1812. REFLECTIONS ON THE CHARACTER OF THE HINDOOS, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONVERTING THEM TO CHRISTIANITY. "From ills, that painted, harrow up the breast, (What agonies, if real, must they give!) To senseless nature bows, for nature's God. Meanwhile, may laws by myriads long rever'd, Though mists profane obscure their narrow ken, SIR WILLIAM JONES. 1 CONTENTS. The harp of prophecy-present awful and eventful period-reflections -purport of this concluding chapter-auxiliaries on the important subject—Britain highly favoured--blessings of peace—sensible and pious dedication by Hakluyt to Sir Francis Walsingham—commencement of the India Company's settlements in India-causes of their becoming generally interesting—no longer simply a trading Company, but sovereigns of an extensive empire-French and Dutch no longer in possession of a factory there-epitome of the administration of Hastings, Cornwallis, Wellesley, and other governors in ·India-institution of the college at Calcutta-its essential advantages-these great characters opposed to the infamous successors of the Portugueze conquerors of India-geographical outline of Hindostan-divisions-revenue-amelioration of the natives under the wise and benevolent administration of Great Britain—dreadful effects of famine--humanity of the Bombay government-comparative ignorance of Europeans respecting the Hindoos in 1774luminous researches of Mr. Hastings—and grand acquisitions of knowledge since that period-reflections on the conversion of the Hindoos-sentiments of the author-Dr. Johnson-and many eminent writers—the author assigns reasons for altering his opinion of the Hindoo character—anecdote of an amiable pundit—pleasing portraits of other natives-depravity of the zemindars and higher |