site of some charming little shrine, and every hill is crowned with some romantic castle, all such buildings giving the lie to the idea that the Hindu does not love beauty, and, in choosing the situations of his buildings, that he is only moved by considerations of comfort or perhaps of coolness or security. Some of the views which are shown to-day will, in a faint measure, help those who look at them to realize the beauties of a few of these places.

Few countries can produce such a long roll of eminent men as Rajputana. To begin with Meywar, there have been few greater warriors than Sanga Rana, who at the time of his death. was only the fragment of a man, having lost an eye and an arm, besides having received no fewer than eighty wounds in the cause of his country. No less great was Kambhu, of whom the Mohammedan historian, after relating his victory over the King of Malwa, dilates on his greatness of soul in setting his enemy at liberty, not only without ransom but with gifts. The life-long struggle with the Moghul empire of Partap will never be forgotten by his race, and the beautiful letter of Rana Raj Singh to Aurangzeb, remonstrating on behalf of his nation against the intolerant persecution of that bigot, has often been quoted with admiration. Marwar produced so long a line of valiant princes that an exception is almost unknown. Especially famous were Sur Singh, Gaj Singh, Jaswant Singh, and Ajit Singh. Some of these were viceroys of the emperors in distant lands and patrons of art and literature, but in the latter capacity none equalled the famous founder of Jaipur. Siwai Jai Singh, who reformed the calendar, wrote histories, built observatories the remains of which exist to this day, and was, in addition, one of the most skilful generals and greatest politicians of his age. Raja Man Singh of the same royal house was, in succession, viceroy for the Moghuls of Kabul, Bengal and Orissa. In two battles twelve of the royal blood of Bundi and Kotah died, with the heads of every Hara clan, to maintain their promised fealty to the Delhi house. It is unnecessary to pursue this theme, but one can only wonder that it was followed by so much decay. That this was due, in a very large measure, to the shrewd action of the Mahrattas in employing European adventurers to organise their forces on modern principles cannot be doubted, but the folly of the Rajputs led, in the first instance, to the interference of the Mahrattas themselves in Rajputana affairs, and the beginning was due to the jealousy of the rulers of Jaipur and Marwar, who were both candidates for the hand of Krishan Kumari, the beautiful daughter of the Maharana of Udaipur.

This struggle led to the invitation of the foe to interfere, and not only to the ruin of the country, but to the death of the innocent princess, who was compelled to take poison, though she was not unavenged. A patriotic noble of Mewar cursed the instigator of the deed, and foretold that no chief of Udaipur should ever again have a son who would directly succeed him.

The late Sir Edward Arnold recited a beautiful ballad describing this sad history, in my own house, which was formerly the residence of the minister of Jaipur, one of the states concerned in the events which he eloquently narrated, and I would strongly recommend all who are interested in the Rajputs to read his charming verses, as none can do so unmoved.

Had time permitted I would have written of the wonderful resemblances of many of the Rajput customs, practices, and ceremonies to those of the ancient Semitic races and particularly of the Jews, but failing this opportunity would point to the suggestiveness of many of the portraits of Rajput princes which I have brought for your inspection, which may perhaps be considered of double interest in view of the little that is known of the remote history and the date of the first appearance of the tribe in India. I think, moreover, that some account of a living people which seems so allied in customs, history, and in many other ways to the ancient Biblical nations of Asia cannot fail to be of special interest, from many points of view, to the members of this Society.

In conclusion I will briefly recapitulate as the causes of the long possession of power in the same regions of the Rajput race: A climate and physical conditions which were best suited to the growth and maintenance in strength of both nind and body of a manly people, which could not have been kept up, as the history of other inhabitants of India has shown, in the hot plains of the peninsula. The presence in Rajputana of excellent situations and materials for building forts and places of refuge, and above all numerous inaccessible hills or deserts into which a secure retreat could be made in case of severe pressure. The patriarchal and tribal system which permitted of much personal freedom, while adequate provision was made for cooperation and united action if threatened by a foreign power. A common religion. Just and well understood laws of succession. Benevolent treatment of the commonality and competition for tenantry which the wide extent of land ensured. A patriarchal system of justice. A fairly wide-spread toleration of the religion and customs of the

people of other faiths than their own. And lastly occupation, in peace as well as in war, of a manly race as afforded by the amount of game and the numerous preserves, without any great pressure from unrighteous forest laws, which could not press in any case very seriously when most of the people did not require game for use as food.

The very failures in ensuring absolute success prove, I think, that, on the whole, these conclusions are correct, but, if there were not justice and manly strength, none of the causes which I have enumerated would have been of any avail, and so I would end my paper with the motto of the famous prince Siwai Jai Singh of Jaipur, " YATO DHARM STATO JAI"-Where there is virtue (or all the great virtues-whether religious or virilefor such is the comprehensive meaning of the word dharm) "THERE IS THE VICTORY."

DISCUSSION.

The CHAIRMAN remarked on the extreme interest of the paper; and thanked the author for the trouble he had taken in the preparation both of the coloured pictures and the excellent lantern slides of the beautiful buildings and rich surroundings of the cities of Rajputana, and called for observations from those present.

The SECRETARY wished to associate himself with the views of the Chairman regarding the great interest of the paper and the beauty of the illustrations. No one was better qualified than Colonel Hendley for giving a true description of this splendid dependency of the British Empire, owing to his long residence in Jeypore, his intimate relations with the late and present Maharajah, who showed his loyalty to the Crown by his presence at the Coronation of King Edward VII. It should also be recollected that Colonel Hendley was instrumental in bringing together into one Museum at Jeypore a large collection of Indian works of art, and of setting up a meteorological observatory; in all of which undertakings he had the support of the Maharajah and of the British resident. He, the Secretary, thought these were points which ought to be mentioned on the present occasion.

The CHAIRMAN, on behalf of the meeting, cordially thanked the author for his most interesting paper, and the proceedings terminated.

ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING.*

COLONEL T. H. HENDLEY, C.I.E., IN THE CHAIR.

The Minutes of the previous Meeting were confirmed.

The SECRETARY read a telegram from the Rev. J. B. Whiting expressing his regret that he was unable to be present, his medical advisers having forbidden it.

DEATH OF REV. DR. F. A. WALKER.

The SECRETARY also alluded to the death of the Rev. Dr. F. A. Walker, F.L.S., which took place on January 31st, and which was a great loss to the Institute. Dr. Walker had travelled in Iceland and studied the insects of that country and had written several papers. He (the Secretary) had, on behalf of the Institute, attended the funeral on Saturday last, and he was sure it was the wish of the Society that he should express their regret and sympathy with the widow and family.

Mr. ROUSE said he wished informally to express for himself his regret to hear of the death of Dr. Walker. He spoke of his genial manner and Christian character, and expressed the hope that some one would be raised up to fill the gap which his death had caused in the ranks.

Professor ORCHARD also expressed his regret and remarked on the almost encyclopædic knowledge which Dr. Walker possessed on many subjects.

Mr. Whiting's paper, entitled "The Growth of the Kingdom of God," was read by the Secretary, and discussion followed.

* Monday, February 6th, 1905.

THE GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

IN a

By Rev. J. B. WHITING, M.A.

N a very interesting paper, read before this Institute three years ago, Professor Lobley traced the vast succession of animal and vegetable creatures, as a preparation of the earth for man.* This preparation, which ultimately covered the earth, was orderly, gradual and final. It bore evidence of having been planned by a mind of wisdom, and carried out by an arm of power. The work was long, there was no hurry. It was the work of God.

We instinctively look for a similar process in what we signify as the Kingdom of God.

We believe in God. The idea of God leads to the conviction that there has been purpose, plan and preparation. We look for successful development; but that development may not be obvious for a long time.

It is, I think, only recently, that we are struck by the fact that an enormous growth has taken place, "The Kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and cast into his garden; and it grew and waxed a great tree."

"This Kingdom" is likened to a field, which contains both tares and wheat. It is of the growth of this Kingdom of God that we assert that it is the subject of an eternal purpose; a divine plan, an intelligent preparation, wherein God hath abounded in all wisdom and prudence, and for which He has "appointed" times and seasons.

Before we proceed further let me adduce evidence of the growth of this Kingdom of God; bearing in mind that it consists of all who call themselves Christians.

The evidence shall be (1) in regard to the population of the world, (2) in regard to the shifting of political power from non-Christian to Christian Governments. Both these lines of inquiry lead us to perceive that this Kingdom of God has become "a great Tree."

When the Saviour became Incarnate, enormous tracts of the earth's surface were without inhabitants. We may take an illustration of this fact. Africa contains 12,000,000 square miles, exactly one-fourth of the habitable surface of the earth,

* Trans. Vict. Inst., vol. xxxiv.