a more splendid view than that of the wide plain of Jaipur, as seen upon the road from Amber, with its noble city in the distance, and the foreground studded with palaces, shrines, temples, tanks, and multitudes of villages thick with groves and gardens. There are few places in Upper India better worth seeing than these two cities and their environs." Tod describes the glories of Jodhpur, "within whose noble fort, situated high up on a mole projecting from a low range of hills so as to be almost isolated, surrounded by strong walls with numerous lofty towers, are many splendid edifices and the Raja's residence, composed of many palaces which were constructed by his ancestors."

Of Bundi he says, "The coup-d'œil of the castellated palace of Bundi, from whichever side you approach it, is perhaps the most striking in India; throughout Rajwarra, which boasts many fine palaces, the Bundica Mahl is allowed to possess the first rank; for which it is indebted to situation not less than to the splendid additions which it has continually received."

The valley of Udaipur he thought the "most diversified and most romantic spot on the continent of India," and who is there who has seen its marvellous palaces, both on the waters of the Peshola Lake and on its beautiful shores, its temples and its Mahasati, or abodes of the dead, its wood-clad embracing hills, its wayside shrines, and its interesting inhabitants, who shall differ from him?

The Jain Temple of Vrishabdeva at Mount Abu, is, according to him, "Beyond controversy the most superb of all the temples of India, and there is not an edifice besides the Taj Mahl which can approach it. The pen is incompetent to describe the exuberant beauties of this proud monument of the Jains, raised by one of the richest of their votaries (by whose name, and not that of the pontiff enshrined within, it is still designated), and which continues to attract pilgrims from every region of India."

Time would indeed fail us if we were to tell of all the glories of this romantic land, but I would mention that it is not only the princes who have such beautiful homes, but in Bikanir, Jaisulmer, and Ajmere, and many another spot there are similar palatial residences of bankers, priests, and other rich men, most of these towns being adorned with buildings which are carved from top to bottom of their walls with most intricate lace work in red sandstone and marble. Moreover every picturesque rock in some parts of the country seems to be the

site of some charming little shrine, and every hill is crowned with some romantic castle, all such buildings giving the lie to the idea that the Hindu does not love beauty, and, in choosing the situations of his buildings, that he is only moved by considerations of comfort or perhaps of coolness or security. Some of the views which are shown to-day will, in a faint measure, help those who look at them to realize the beauties of a few of these places.

Few countries can produce such a long roll of eminent men as Rajputana. To begin with Meywar, there have been few greater warriors than Sanga Rana, who at the time of his death. was only the fragment of a man, having lost an eye and an arm, besides having received no fewer than eighty wounds in the cause of his country. No less great was Kambhu, of whom the Mohammedan historian, after relating his victory over the King of Malwa, dilates on his greatness of soul in setting his enemy at liberty, not only without ransom but with gifts. The life-long struggle with the Moghul empire of Partap will never be forgotten by his race, and the beautiful letter of Rana Raj Singh to Aurangzeb, remonstrating on behalf of his nation against the intolerant persecution of that bigot, has often been quoted with admiration. Marwar produced so long a line of valiant princes that an exception is almost unknown. Especially famous were Sur Singh, Gaj Singh, Jaswant Singh, and Ajit Singh. Some of these were viceroys of the emperors in distant lands and patrons of art and literature, but in the latter capacity none equalled the famous founder of Jaipur. Siwai Jai Singh, who reformed the calendar, wrote histories, built observatories the remains of which exist to this day, and was, in addition, one of the most skilful generals and greatest politicians of his age. Raja Man Singh of the same royal house was, in succession, viceroy for the Moghuls of Kabul, Bengal and Orissa. In two battles twelve of the royal blood of Bundi and Kotah died, with the heads of every Hara clan, to maintain their promised fealty to the Delhi house. It is unnecessary to pursue this theme, but one can only wonder that it was followed by so much decay. That this was due, in a very large measure, to the shrewd action of the Mahrattas in employing European adventurers to organise their forces on modern principles cannot be doubted, but the folly of the Rajputs led, in the first instance, to the interference of the Mahrattas themselves in Rajputana affairs, and the beginning was due to the jealousy of the rulers of Jaipur and Marwar, who were both candidates for the hand of Krishan Kumari, the beautiful daughter of the Maharana of Udaipur.

This struggle led to the invitation of the foe to interfere, and not only to the ruin of the country, but to the death of the innocent princess, who was compelled to take poison, though she was not unavenged. A patriotic noble of Mewar cursed the instigator of the deed, and foretold that no chief of Udaipur should ever again have a son who would directly succeed him.

The late Sir Edward Arnold recited a beautiful ballad describing this sad history, in my own house, which was formerly the residence of the minister of Jaipur, one of the states concerned in the events which he eloquently narrated, and I would strongly recommend all who are interested in the Rajputs to read his charming verses, as none can do so unmoved.

and

Had time permitted I would have written of the wonderful resemblances of many of the Rajput customs, practices, and ceremonies to those of the ancient Semitic aces particularly of the Jews, but failing this opportunity would point to the suggestiveness of many of the portraits of Rajput princes which I have brought for your inspection, which may perhaps be considered of double interest in view of the little that is known of the remote history and the date of the first appearance of the tribe in India. I think, moreover, that some account of a living people which seems so allied in customs, history, and in many other ways to the ancient Biblical nations of Asia cannot fail to be of special interest, from many points of view, to the members of this Society.

In conclusion I will briefly recapitulate as the causes of the long possession of power in the same regions of the Rajput race: A climate and physical conditions which were best suited to the growth and maintenance in strength of both mind and body of a manly people, which could not have been kept up, as the history of other inhabitants of India has shown, in the hot plains of the peninsula. The presence in Rajputana of excellent situations and materials for building forts and places of refuge, and above all numerous inaccessible hills or deserts into which a secure retreat could be made in case of severe pressure. The patriarchal and tribal system which permitted of much personal freedom, while adequate provision was made for cooperation and united action if threatened by a foreign power. A common religion. Just and well understood laws of succession. Benevolent treatment of the commonality and competition for tenantry which the wide extent of land ensured. A patriarchal system of justice. A fairly wide-spread toleration of the religion and customs of the

people of other faiths than their own. And lastly occupation, in peace as well as in war, of a manly race as afforded by the amount of game and the numerous preserves, without any great pressure from unrighteous forest laws, which could not press in any case very seriously when most of the people did not require game for use as food.

The very failures in ensuring absolute success prove, I think, that, on the whole, these conclusions are correct, but, if there were not justice and manly strength, none of the causes which I have enumerated would have been of any avail, and so I would end my paper with the motto of the famous prince Siwai Jai Singh of Jaipur, "YATO DHARM STATO JAI"-Where there is virtue (or all the great virtues-whether religious or virile— for such is the comprehensive meaning of the word dharm) THERE IS THE VICTORY."

DISCUSSION.

The CHAIRMAN remarked on the extreme interest of the paper; and thanked the author for the trouble he had taken in the preparation both of the coloured pictures and the excellent lantern slides of the beautiful buildings and rich surroundings of the cities of Rajputana, and called for observations from those present.

The SECRETARY wished to associate himself with the views of the Chairman regarding the great interest of the paper and the beauty of the illustrations. No one was better qualified than Colonel Hendley for giving a true description of this splendid dependency of the British Empire, owing to his long residence in Jeypore, his intimate relations with the late and present Maharajah, who showed his loyalty to the Crown by his presence at the Coronation of King Edward VII. It should also be recollected that Colonel Hendley was instrumental in bringing together into one Museum at Jeypore a large collection of Indian works of art, and of setting up a meteorological observatory; in all of which undertakings he had the support of the Maharajah and of the British resident. He, the Secretary, thought these were points which ought to be mentioned on the present occasion.

The CHAIRMAN, on behalf of the meeting, cordially thanked the author for his most interesting paper, and the proceedings terminated.

ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING.*

COLONEL T. H. HENDLEY, C.I.E., IN THE CHAIR.

The Minutes of the previous Meeting were confirmed.

The SECRETARY read a telegram from the Rev. J. B. Whiting expressing his regret that he was unable to be present, his medical advisers having forbidden it.

DEATH OF REV. DR. F. A. WALKER.

The SECRETARY also alluded to the death of the Rev. Dr. F. A. Walker, F.L.S., which took place on January 31st, and which was a great loss to the Institute. Dr. Walker had travelled in Iceland and studied the insects of that country and had written several papers. He (the Secretary) had, on behalf of the Institute, attended the funeral on Saturday last, and he was sure it was the wish of the Society that he should express their regret and sympathy with the widow and family.

Mr. ROUSE said he wished informally to express for himself his regret to hear of the death of Dr. Walker. He spoke of his genial manner and Christian character, and expressed the hope that some one would be raised up to fill the gap which his death had caused in the ranks.

Professor ORCHARD also expressed his regret and remarked on the almost encyclopædic knowledge which Dr. Walker possessed on many subjects.

Mr. Whiting's paper, entitled "The Growth of the Kingdom of 'God," was read by the Secretary, and discussion followed.

Monday, February 6th, 1905.