15 that long quarrel-for 21 years, from 1774-95. 29 creature-a being without a will of his own; one who simply carries out instructions. PAGE 45. I indiscreet-imprudent; unwise. 2 subordinate presidenciesBombay and Madras. 4 incredible difficult of belief; astonishing. - 5 intes'tine disputes—quarrels within, amongst themselves. Mahrattas-the most, warlike people of the Hindoo race. They lived chiefly in the mountainous regions of Central India. When the great Mogul Aurungzebe died, the Mahrattas rebelled against their Mahometan conquerors and became independent over a large part of India. After four severe struggles with the English, they finally yielded in 1818. Their chief leaders were Sevajee, the Bonslas, the Guicowar, Holkar, and Scindia. 8 fiscal system the method of gathering the taxes and spending the money of a nation. – judicial system—the method by which the laws are put in force. 14 impunity-freedom from pun ishment. 24 patronage-the power of be stowing office, or privilege. 31 sycophants-flatterers; talebearers; parasites. 32 to pander-to pimp; to act as agent in evil designs. PAGE 46. 5 depositions — statements of 3 formidable machinery powerful agency; the independent power of the judges of the Supreme Court. 6 fel'ony-an offence punishable with forfeiture of land or goods; any serious offence. 8 bond-a written promise entitling the possessor to receive certain benefits. 10 biographers excepted cutting remark referring to Mr. Gleig, who did not believe that Hastings took this bold step. 15 admitted to bail-set free until the trial took place, on security being given by bondsmen for his appearance then. 18 emol'uments-salary; profits. 19 assizes law courts held periodically by the chief judges, to try persons charged with serious offences. 20 a true bill—the grand jury prel'ate—a bishop. 22 sec'ular tribu'nal-a court of law over which the Church 17 a party-means here a faction. unbending equity-strict justice or impartiality. 24 at stake-at hazard; liable to be lost. 26 dispensers of justice—the judges who had sworn to deal out justice without fear or favour. 27 analogous-similar; parallel. 28 Lord Stafford-A Catholic nobleman, beheaded in 1680, on a charge of treason made by Titus Oates. 29 Tower a splendid old fortress in London, dating from 1070. 30 Popish plot-46. 21, note. apprised-informed. 31 questionable construction-- an interpretation which is open to question; a doubtful reading. - Jones's Persian Grammar— a work published in 1771 by Sir William Jones, a famous Asiatic scholar. 25 traditions-information passed from father to son by word of mouth, and not committed to writing. PAGE 58. 9 illicit-unlawful; unjust. 15 would . . win-would not be the actual wrong-doer, yet would receive eagerly enough the money to be gained by wrong-doing. Macbeth, I. v. 20. 20 Lord North, 1732-92, statesman, at this time Prime Minister. PAGE 59. 2 Court of Proprietors—general meeting of shareholders. 3 convened--called together. 7 Lord Sandwich, John Montagu, 1718-92, a statesman and diplomatist. marshalled-brought up to the meeting. them 8 dexterity-skill; cleverness. 9 alertness-watchfulness; readiness. privy councillors-statesmen and others who are selected to advise the sovereign. They are called privy because they are sworn to secrecy. 13 ballot-a secret form of voting. [Fr. balotle, a little ball used for voting.] 16 the Cabinet-the chief ministers of state, twelve or more in number, who are responsible for the government. 17 exasperated — made extremely angry. 19 to convoke-to call together. [Lat. con, together; vocare, to call.] 25 imminent close at hand; ready to fall. 26 branded ⚫ censure-publicly disgraced by the condemnation of the Commons. 28 Crown lawyers-The Lord Chancellor, the Attorney-General, and the Solicitor-General, who advise the Government on difficult questions of law. PAGE 60. 2 scrupulous-very particular. 6 exercise the functions-perform the duties. 15 absolute-all-powerful; inde pendent. 16 retaliate-to pay back injury for injury; to treat them as they had treated him. 26 subsidiary alliances-hitherto our alliances had been with the Mogul; now Hastings thought of making alliances with the viceroys, who were to recognise the English as the supreme rulers, and pay them tribute. 27 Be'rar-a province of Central India lying between the rivers Tapti and Penganga; a fine cotton-growing district; belongs to the Nizam's dominions, but is managed by British governors. 28 paramount-chief; highest. 12 Bonslas'-one of the great Mahratta families of princes, finally conquered in 1817. 13 Guicowar-(gi-kwar) a northern Mahratta prince. 15 dynasty a line of kings all of one family. Guzerat-a maritime province 16 Scindia and Holkar-two great northern Mahratta rulers. Scindia was descended from a shepherd, and Holkar from a slipper-bearer. They acknowledged the Mogul Emperor at Delhi, but they were practically independent. They were finally overthrown by the English in 1804. Malwa-a district comprising several small states, between the Aravulli Hills and Bundelcund. 17 impregnable-that cannot be taken by force. 18 Gooti-a cluster of fortified hills in Bellary district, N. of Mysore. 20 Tanjore-a province of SE. India. 21 double government-the real government by the viceroys, viziers, &c., and the merely nominal government of the old dynasties of Tamerlane and Sevajee. 25 Nizam-The title of the native sovereign of Hyderabad. Nizam-ul-mulk, after the death of Aurungzebe, obtained possession of the Mahometan conquests in the Deccan, and his successors assumed his name as a title. - 26 viceroy-one who governs in place of a king. Tamerlane, or Timour, 13361405, the great Tartar conquer |