PREFACE.
IT has for some time been my sincere desire to prepare certain lectures on various subjects which are of great importance to the landed aristocracy of this country (India). But I was too diffident to begin my task, when I considered the importance of each of the subjects; because a volume, if not volumes, might be written on each subject by a more learned person than myself. My first business was to select the matter for each lecture, and then to consider the form in which I could briefly, but clearly, lay it before my intended readers. Fortunately a friend of mine, Mr. O. S. Orole, recommended me to read a certain book which deals with various subjects of a similar kind. Its title is "Common Thoughts on Serious Sub-
