family[1]. He in turn died in 1825, and his son was again permitted to succeed. This third Nawáb, after a disgraceful life, to use Sir Edwin Arnold's words, 'died of dancing girls and ennui in October, 1855,' leaving no child. The local Government of Madras declared it impolitic to artificially create a successor. The pension to the preceding Nawábs had been a personal grant, and Lord Harris, the Governor of Madras, thus summed up the evils of continuing a state of things that had grown into a public scandal.
'First, on the general principle that the semblance of royalty without any of the power is a mockery of authority, which must be pernicious. Second, because though there is virtually no divided rule or coordinate authority in the government of the country, for these points were finally settled by the Treaty of 1801, yet some appearance of so baneful a system is still kept up by the continuance of a quasi royal family and court.' Third, because the said family claimed exemption from our courts and were 'not amenable to the law.' Fourth, because the pageant of such a court, 'may at any time become a nucleus for sedition and agitation.' Fifth, because that court itself had become a sink of iniquity.
- ↑ Sir Charles Aitchison's Collection of Treaties, Engagements, and Sunnuds relating to India and neighbouring countries, vol. v, p. 297, ed. 1876.
