HIS VISIT TO ENGLAND IN 188ft. 43 least shew that the men who possess them, though even unable to read and write, are honest men — men who have practical common sense, who understand what is best for their own interests, not selfishly but with due consideration for all about them, both high and low, and therefore, who may be supposed to understand the interests of their country. . If any body could be trusted with the franchise, surely these would be the men. If these considerations are not sufficient — I mean if they do not prove that the people of India are not ignorant, I am not afraid to take my stand on their ignorance, and argue in the words of the greatest jurist of modern times in England — I mean the late Mr. Zabez Austin. Ho asks In a political community, not duly instructed, is not popular Government, with all its awkward complexness less inconvenient than monarchy ? And, unless the Government be popular, can a political community not duly instructed, emerge from darkness to light ? From the ignorance of political science which is the principal cause of misrule, to the" knowledge of political science which were the test security against it ?" I see no reason whatever why the people of India are not capable of understanding and exercising the functions which naturally inhere in subjects possessing a representative Government." (vide p. 176, Journal E. I, A.) It would thus appear that Mr. Bonnerjee's zeal and ardent desire for the reform of the existing bu- reaucratic form of Government of India had develop- ed in his mind while he was a student in England, long before he took an active and leading part in the recent Congress movement HIS VISIT TO ENGLAND IN* 1888. AND HOW THE INDIAN AGENCY WAS ESTABLISHED. In the middle of the year 1888, Mr. Bonnerjee went to England, chiefly with a view to recruit his health in its bracing climate. He was then suffer-
