and pertinaciously combatted; intricate questions have been thrashed out; prolonged controversies have been brought to a satisfactory close. The rule which compels members to sit while addressing the Council gives its meetings the informal air of a committee room, and discourages the tendency to rhetorical display. Many native gentlemen of high position and character have taken an active part in the deliberations of the Council, and have materially assisted the Government by their exposition of the native view of the case. Leading merchants have contributed their commercial experience towards the elucidation of business and finance. The Calcutta Bar has sent its leaders to fortify the Council in discussions where their professional knowledge was of especial importance. Much valuable legislation has been achieved. All the main departments of law, civil and criminal, have been embodied in Codes, which now cover the whole area of life except that in which religious or customary rules prevail. These Codes, so far as lucidity, simplicity and precision are concerned, need not fear comparison with any of the systems of the Western World.
Another change of great importance to the despatch of business in the Governor-General's Council was initiated by Lord Canning by means of a power conferred on him by the Indian Council's Act. Comment has often been made on the accumulated arrears which characterised this period of the Indian Government. There may have been qualities in the Viceroy's
