'Mr. Thomason possessed a rare power of discriminating character, and no opportunity was so favourable for exercising it, as to find a man in the midst of his daily work. With unexpected rapidity, the Lieut.-Governor would perceive the weak point of a case or line of procedure; and the officer, if not thoroughly master of his work, would find himself foiled by one whom he counted upon as a stranger to his business, but who turned out to be more thoroughly acquainted with its details than himself. The earnest worker, and the aspiring subordinate, were recognized and encouraged. The former would be incited to prosecute, with redoubled energy, some occupation of his own devising; and the impulse thus given to talent and application, would prove perhaps the starting-point of a useful, if not distinguished career. To the latter, some special sphere of industry or research would be suggested.
'Such generous appreciation, accorded by one who ever exhibited a lively interest in the success and the welfare of his subordinates, elicited from them a grateful response; and he received, in consequence, that ready and devoted service — the fruit of a loving and admiring spirit — which is incomparably more valuable than the forced obedience of fear and constraint.'
Now, the importance of travelling through the country — seeing things with his own eyes, hearing what people say with his own ears, — has been recognized by every ruler in India, and the recognition has always borne fruit in practice. In other words, that which Thomason did most fully, has been done more or less by all Anglo-Indian governors. But he accomplished it more completely, more systematically, more effectually than any of them. Here again, he did best that which
