124

" It is a matter of the greatest importance that His
Highness should receive every advantage in this respect
that can be afforded to him and that every effort should
be made by extending to him the blessings of a sound and
liberal education, to fit him, as far as possible, for the high
and important duties of his future life.

" His Excellency is therefore of opinion that this ques-
tion should, as far as possible, be settled now and that a
guarantee should be given that, at an early period, as soon
as His Highness' years will permit, an English gentleman
of learning and ability should be received into His Highness'
service and entrusted with the important duties of superin-
tending his education/'

" An English gentleman, J^aptaiQ Clark,
was employed in pursuance of this advice and
remained with His Highness long enough to
become a familiar figure in Hyderabad. It is also
worth mentioning that young Hugh Gough, son
of Major Percy Gough, Military Secretary to the
Minister, was one of the young Nizam's companions
for a period. Thus a contact with English people
was established from his tender years, which must
have helped to predispose his mind in favour of the
advantages to be derived from friendship with the
British as their 'Faithful Ally/
" Early impressions of the right kind are of
great value, and this was proved by the course
followed by the Nizam throughout his life. His
sagacity in appointing Mr. (afterwards Sir) Brian
Egerton as tutor and companion to his son, the
Prince Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur, was an inst-
ance of it. Mr. Egerton had earned the gratitude of
Indians by the finish he had given to the education
of the Maharaja of Bikanir by evoking and bring-
ing into activity the best traits of his character.