CHAP. V. CONTINUATION OF THE CAUSES OF DELINQUEN CY, EVILS OF THE MAHAJUNY SYSTEM IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.-RESUMPTION OF THE LANDS OF PAICKS, CHOKEDARS, AND OTHER WATCHMEN.-THE BAD FOOTING ON WHICH THIS ESTABLISHMENT IS PLACED, AND THE WELL KNOWN CONNIVANCE OF THE WATCHMEN WITH DACOITS AND THIEVES. WANT OF A FUND FOR REWARDS.-WANT OF A MORE GENERAL USE OF THE GOINDA SYS TEM (OR ESPIONAGE,) UNDER AND RESTRICTIONS. LIMITATIONS IT T was necessary to mention the abuses of the Mahajuns as one cause of delinquency, In many parts of the country; because, where these abuses are practised, they form a cause a cause of considerable magnitude; but I do not concur in the general opinion, that the Mahajuns are universally tyrannical and oppressive. This subject has been fully treated in the Chapter on the Oppression of the Zemindars; and it will not be necessary in this place, to add any thing to the observations there made, unless indeed to recommend, that wherever the system may have been abused, the plan formerly suggested for the redress of the petty complaints of the Ryots should be adopted, namely, by sending the assistants into the villages. The examination of the books of the Mahajuns, and the punishment of a few of the most oppressive, will have a very proper effect in deterring others. I have heard, that in the village of Tipperah, Mr. ELIOT, Magistrate of that Zillah, made an attempt to separate the Ryots from from their Mahajuns, and to teach them the means of supporting themselves without their assistance. The attempt was attended with considerable success; and it is most desirable, that the Magistrates should unite in doing away this evil. A little patient perseverance would overcome their prejudices; and if once convinced of the actual gain arising from their own independent exertion, they would not again relapse into their former bad habits. They were formerly, under their own government, so ill protected from the ravages of the Dacoits, and of their Zemindars, that they were afraid to amass any little store for the evil day; it only marked them as victims for the Dacoits, or as fit subjects for the extortion of the officers employed in collecting the revenue. And long habits of evasion, of cunning, and of useless extravagance in getting rid of their gains, have effected a change in their dispositions, and made them cautious in trusting any one. This disposi tion tion will ever render any improvement in their condition a work of much difficulty; but let us not despair. The habits of the natives of Bengal, like those of all other nations, may be changed, although there is no other people among whom change is so difficult and tedious a work. The reason of this is plain; their government, their laws, their manners, their dress, their food are all made to depend, or have an intimate connection with their religion; and to make innovations in these, they consider as war against God. In this belief they are kept and encouraged by the Priests, who form the most powerful body in a Hindoo State. On the subject of the next cause of delinquency, it will be necessary to be a little more full and particular. When well arranged, and kept under proper restraint, the Paicks, Chokedars, and other watchmen, form, perhaps, the best instruments in the hands of a Magistrate. But, according to the the present plan, they are almost universally the abettors and assistants in robbery and theft. There is, perhaps, no country where watchmen are generally supposed to be above the reach of a bribe; it can scarcely be expected from their low birth, and their general acquaintance with vice in all shapes. It therefore becomes necessary that we should make use of the ruling passion; that we should make the apprehension of criminals, more than the connivance of their crimes, a source of gain to them. This is the chief end which a Magistrate ought to have in view in the management of his watchmen ; till he has done this, the watchmen will not be of the smallest benefit to him. It will, therefore, be well to enquire how this is to be effected. Under |