THE FIRST BLOW FOR PREDOMINANCE
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St. Thomé effected a revolution in this respect. To Europeans and Natives alike it was as the storming of the Bastille. Thenceforward the alliance of the Europeans came to be eagerly sought by every pretender to dominion. The revolution had been effected by the genius of Dupleix. To him it opened new visions, illimitable plans of dominion. It had revealed to him how he could bring Southern India entirely under French influence. It was only requisite that the war with England should continue, and that he should have a free hand. The rest he would care for.
