with General Miranda, the South American patriot, who was in England in 1808–10, and was an ardent disciple of Bentham. Although the Bentham circle disbelieved in Christianity, its members observed a studied reticence in their writings.
Mill's scepticism did not interfere with an alliance which he formed with the quaker William Allen (1770–1843) [q. v.] Mill wrote articles for the ‘Philanthropist,’ published by Allen from 1811 to 1817, in which he had an opportunity of expounding Bentham's principles of law reform; supported the anti-slavery movement, and especially took an active part in the great Bell and Lancaster controversy [see Bell, Andrew, 1753–1832, and Lancaster, Joseph]. The utilitarians agreed with the dissenters in supporting the Lancasterian institution, which developed into the British and Foreign School Society. It was also taken up by the whigs and the ‘Edinburgh Review.’ Mill's last article (February 1813) in the ‘Edinburgh’ was in defence of the system. The National Society was started in November 1811, to educate the poor ‘in the principles of the established church,’ supported by the tories and the ‘Quarterly Review,’ and a bitter controversy raged for some time. Mill, with the approval of Bentham (whose ‘Church of Englandism’ contains a long assault on the National Society), and supported by Allen, Place, and others, resolved in 1813 to start a ‘West London Lancasterian Institution’ to educate all the children west of Temple Bar on unsectarian principles. A public meeting was held in August 1813 to start the scheme, and about the same time appeared anonymously Mill's ‘Schools for all in preference to Schools for Churchmen only.’ Many difficulties occurred; but in February 1814 an association was formed to set up a ‘Chrestomathic’ school for superior education on the same lines. Place thought of Mill for the mastership (Place, Letters). Bentham offered part of his garden, and wrote his treatise, the ‘Chrestomathia,’ to expound the principles. Mill was very active in the affair, and was supported by Romilly, Brougham, and Mackintosh; but, after many troubles, it finally dropped in 1820. The chief outcome of this movement was the foundation of the London University. It had been suggested by Thomas Campbell, the poet, to Place, who discussed the plan with Mill in 1825. Mill was a member of the first council, appointed in December 1825; and, with the support of Brougham, Joseph Hume, and Grote, was active in carrying the scheme into effect. He tried to get his friend Thomson for the chair of chemistry; John Austin and M'Culloch, both sound adherents of the school, were the first professors of jurisprudence and political economy. For the chair of philosophy he consented to the election of John Hoppus [q. v.], who, though a dissenting clergyman, believed in Hartley [see under Grote, George].
Place, Mill's colleague in this agitation, and the great manager on the radical side in Westminster, became very intimate with Mill, and constantly consulted him in political affairs. Mill himself was an active member of the committee which brought forward Burdett and Kinnaird against Romilly in June 1818. Romilly, although a personal friend of Bentham's, was regarded as too moderate. Mill was much affected by Romilly's death on 2 Nov. following and went to Worthing to offer his help to the family. He took no part in the consequent election, in which Hobhouse, the radical candidate, was defeated by George Lamb.
Mill had meanwhile completed his ‘History of India,’ which appeared about the beginning of 1818. The purpose with which he had started was fully achieved. His affairs now became prosperous. The ‘History’ succeeded at once, and has become a standard work. Mill unfortunately left his share of the profits in the hands of the publisher, Baldwin, and though he received the interest during his life, the capital was afterwards lost to his family by Baldwin's bankruptcy. The book, though dry and severe in tone, supplied a want, and contained many interesting reflections upon social questions. He has been accused of unfairness, and his prejudices were undoubtedly strong. His merits, however, met with an unexpected recognition. Although he had condemned the shortcomings of the East India Company, and was known as a radical politician, he was appointed in 1819 to a place in the India House. The knowledge of India displayed in his book was a strong recommendation, and his friends Ricardo and Joseph Hume used all their influence on his behalf. Canning, then president of the board of control, is said to have been in his favour (Bain, pp. 142, 185). He was appointed on 12 May 1819 ‘assistant to the examiner of India correspondence,’ with a salary of 800l. a year; on 10 April 1821 ‘second assistant to the examiner,’ with 1,000l. a year, Edward Strachey being first assistant; on 9 April 1823 ‘assistant examiner,’ with 1,200l. a year, passing over Strachey; on 1 Dec. 1830 ‘examiner,’ with 1,900l. a year, being thus at the head of the office, and on 17 Feb. 1836 his salary was raised to 2,000l. a year. Mill
