THE MARQUIS OF RIPON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 429, 1 July 1881, Page 19

THE MARQUIS OF RIPON.

The correspondent of a contemporary, writing from Calcutta on February 14, says :—: — The health of his Excellency the Marquis of Ripon has been for some time past the topic of the day in Calculatta. In all circles, both here and elsewhere, great anxiety was felt for his recovery. And while — owing to the baseless rumour that the M&rquis had resigned the Viceroyalty on account of ill-health — the newspapers and the minds of men were being exercised as to who should succeed him, all classes of the community in India — Hindoos, Mahomedans and Christians of every denomination — were offering up prayers for his restoration. When that rumour reached ludia, none were more sorry than the natives, who expect great things of Lord Eipon. As a fact, it appears that, at his advent, crops which it was feared would have failed smiled again ; ami the harvest was such a one as had not been gathered in for many yeais past, in consequence of which a famine that was impending in one part of the country had been averted. These prognostications the natives consider to be propitious for the country and its people. During his Excellency's stay at Simla, the water supply partially failed ; and the residents especially the poor, could not obtain sufficient water for drinkiug purposes. Notwithstanding this, the water had been used for the roads as before ; aud the people who gathered R^>und the hydrants were driven away with the plea that the water was required to keep down the dust on the roads through which the Lat Sahib passed. On hearing this, Lord Ripon issued an order that the poor should be served first, and that afterwards the roads should be attended to. Agaiu, it was a subject of remark by the natives at Simla, that when the Marquis rode or walked, no matter who the person or what his rank, even to the poorest Christian, he doffed bis hat, and that to the meanest native he salaamed in return. Trifling though these incidents may appear at home, yet they wrought wonders in the native mind ; and it is with insignificant acts such as these the Marquis has won the hearts of the people. Lord Ripon is now convalescent, and is rapidly regaining strength. He had been counselled by his medical adviser not to enter into official business for a time ; but he has already iccommenced sitting at the meetings of the Legislative Council. The Dative princes, I may add, are offering prayers and alms in thanksgiving for Lord Ripon's restoration. His Excellency has received and is 'receiving memorials and deputations from the several public bodies and associations in Calcutta. When receiving a deputation of the Society of St. Vinceat de Paul at Bombay, headed by the venerable Bishop Meurin, S.J., the Marquis said that he took a personal interest in the society, being himself a member of it.