lessly oppressed. Conspiracies invaded every part of the government. In an extract from a personal, letter written by Clive on his arrival in India, he says: "Alas, how is the English name sunk! I could not avoid paying the tribute of a few tears to the departed and lost fame of the British nation—irrecoverably so, I fear. However, I do declare by that great Being who is the searcher of all hearts, and to whom we must be accountable if there be a hereafter, that I am come out with a mind superior to all corruption, and that I am determined to destroy these great and growing evils or perish in the attempt."
The task which he had undertaken was not a small one; he must place himself in opposition to unprincipled men, influenced by that root of all evil, the love of money. He must endanger his own interests, popularity, and even life. On the other hand, under a pretense of destroying the evil, he might have in reality connived at it, joined with the adventurers and trebled his own fortune. But he held unwaveringly to his purpose, and by vigorous measures again brought the government into peace and order. It was this reform which he wrought in India that he considered the best work of his life. It is hard to realize how difficult a struggle it was for a man of Clive's nature. It was a battle far harder than that of Plassey, as lie had to contend not only with the selfish desires of others, but his own also.
But notwithstanding the noble qualities which he possessed, and the good deeds which he had done, there were preceding acts of his life which ever cast a reproach upon his name. Great as were his virtues and talents, his faults were in comparison with them. Naturally he was frank, open in enmity, sincere in friendship. With Englishmen always honorable, but in dealing with a people devoid of honor as were the Indian natives, he descended to their level and became an Indian intriguer. The depth to which he could descend is shown by his double dealing with a native merchant, whom he not only deceived by means of a false treaty, but added to this, forgery. So great was the effect of his treachery that his victim's reason fled, but, sad as was this result, it was far sadder that Clive, a man of so great ability, should sink so low. He evidently thought that honesty with such a treacherous people would be folly, but that "honesty is the best policy" is true even in India, as has been shown in later years by the English, who, by their upright dealings, have won the confidence of the people.
In the early part of his career he was accused of avarice. It is true that he acquired a large fortune in India, but when it is considered that the wealth of that rich country was laid at the feet of its conqueror, and that princes were vying with each other to purchase his favor, it is remarkable that he took comparatively so little, and by his determined resistance to avarice in his reform in India in later years, he retrieved his reputation. Selfish he was not, for he used his wealth liberally, not only in aiding his family, but his friends, as was shown by his generously sharing his good fortune with his former commander, Major Lawrence, in his old age and poverty.
Many honors were conferred upon him by country, not, perhaps, equal to his services, yet great when compared with his former position. But in the latter part of his life, forces were at work to undermine his reputation. The many adventurers, whose hopes of wealth he had destroyed, together with others jealous of his fame and fortune, united against him. Every evil deed of his life was brought to light, and many good thus given an evil interpretation. People, personally unacquainted, thought of him almost as a fiend, and he was universally hated by his countrymen. Parliament took up the matter, and in his trial Clive vindicated himself in a speech indicating so much ability that even the noted Pitt said of it that he had "never heard a better." In this speech he spoke of his last visit to India, and so ably did he defend himself, that his enemies afterward confined their attacks to his earlier life. A committee, appointed to examine his work in India, reported that he had done some wrong, but also had displayed great virtues and talents, and rendered eminent service to his country and the people of India. This censure, slight though it was, together with the enmity of his countrymen, embittered the remainder of his life. This strong man, with all his brilliant talents, who had stood as a leader among his fellow-men, both in war and peace, with his never-yielding will and indomitable courage, becomes a slave to opium. The strong mind sinks into melancholy and he dies by his own hand. Browning compares him to an impervious castle — "Besieged, it does not yield, but after the battle is over, rains invade, and grass o'ergrows, and it falls to ruin." Thus Clive stood through the severe trials and dangers of his eventful life, but, after his active work is over, falls a prey to his own habits and passions.
His contemporaries dwelt upon his faults and judged him harshly, but posterity in viewing his career will overlook the evil, small in comparison with the services rendered, and will class Lord Clive as eminent as a statesman and reformer, and one of the greatest soldiers England ever produced.
A GLIMPSE OF THE SOCIAL OUTLOOK.
BY HANNAH L. NICHOLS, M.D.
This "glimpse" is only a one-eyed one, but we will endeavor to make that eye single to advancement along this line.
A few years ago social questions were discussed from an aristocratic standpoint. only. To-day they attract more attention from a democratic view, but discussion upon either or both sides will accomplish very little unless it seek out plans which may lead to co-operation of aristocrat and democrat in solving the vexing problems. At no time within the range of history have so many human souls been stirred to their very depths in this great of unrest as now. To be sure, there is a vast deal energy wasted, for we have not yet attained plans which to get the necessary co-operation.
Terms have not yet been named through which leaders in these great movements may work in harmony. There is no doubt that many of these leaders have the real good of their followers at heart, but I fear that many a switch has been wrongly turned, and many a train tracked at the financial station, which is a long way this side of the head and heart offices.
