others. A perpetual' Oh, Yes, 111 do it' kind of look
about him, set in a smile, was more than half his
success in high quarters. He had, moreover,
a readiness of comment, which implied quick
decision and raised in people's minds a presump-
tion of infallible judgment. And a certain
good-natured pompousness completed the pleasing
picture.
His schemes were brought forward as being
above discussion—just ready to be set afloat.
1. The Retrocession of Berar.
2. The Reclamation of uncultivabler lands
for colonization.
3. Franchise.
All these momentous projects were soon shap-
ed in his mind, hastily drafted and placed before
His Exalted Highness to be issued as Firmans.
None of them, so far as I remember, was ever
discussed in Council; but that was not a serious
objection in those days when the infant Council
was still uncertain as to its own prerogatives and
the procedure of the new Constitution had not
had time to stiffen in its mould. Sir Ali was
a super-optimist ; he meant well, but could not
always foresee what ulterior consequences would
ensue from the grandiose proposals so confidently
put forward by him. His mind was alert and
imaginative, but seemed to be lacking in fore-
sight.
The Berar letter was hurried over by him in
a somewhat quixotic manner, and unfortunately