holding India, we must be able to show the moral right of our tenure. Much is being done, no doubt, to improve the country—by railways, canals, and means of communication; to improve the people—by education, including under this word, European literature and science.
But what at home can be done in education, if we neglect physical laws? How does education progress here, without means of cleanliness, of decency, or health? The school lessons of a month are sapped in an hour. If the people are left a prey to epidemics and to immoral agencies in their homes, it is not much good sending them to school. Where should we be now with all our schools, if London were like Calcutta, Madras, or Bombay?—the three seats of Government in India.
The next great work then is sanitary reform in India.
There is not a town which does not want—
Water-supply.
Draining.
Paving.
Cleansing.
Healthy plans for arranging and constructing buildings.
Together with agricultural drainage and improved cultivation all round.
These things the people cannot do for themselves. But the India Government can do them. And, in order to do them, three Health Departments (one
