Viewing page 131 of 197

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

FAMINE-STRICKEN GROUP.

and other staples of trade can be produced, the area of land sown with cereals has proportionably diminished. Added to these causes, the population of India has largely increased under long continued peace and better sanitary precautions. In the year 1770 the great province of Bengal was desolated by famine. Upwards of ten millions of people perished: large tracts became deserted and relapsed into jungle and forest: and for many years afterwards very little progress, comparatively speaking, was made in local prosperity. That was the year in which the English Government undertook the local administration of Bengal; and no adequate means could be devised by which the horrible mortality could be stayed, if, indeed, the progression of it was at any time sufficiently understood. The famine in Orissa in 1866, was another instance of how, even with the means of modern civilization and the desire to afford relief, little in comparison with the dreadful necessity could be effected. The coast of Orissa had no harbour where vessels could lie and discharge their cargoes at that season, and the province was unapproachable by the usual roads on all quarters by land, owing to the absence of forage: again, therefore, thousands of the people perished, until the distress could be relieved. No one who followed the course of local inquiry in regard to the means adopted for relief, or the anxiety which existed in England on the subject, can doubt the earnestness of purpose which distinguished both, and the determination to watch in future any indication of the recurrence of similar calamity with a view to timely relief. Such famines as have been mentioned, and there have been many others of equally dreadful effect in other parts of India, may occur again where actual prevention is impossible; but in the extension of irrigation by canals from great rivers, and in the construction of roads, and especially railways, there exist means of alleviation which were impossible before; and there can be little doubt, under complete recognition of the necessity, that the Government of India will not be remiss in using them to the utmost, by anticipation of the results which invariably follow improvident delay.