"The Zemindary Settlemen IN TWO VOLUMES. VOLUME I. CALCUTTA: BROWN AND COMPANY, BOOKSELLERS BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT TO GOVERNMEN“, MDCCCLXXIX. I THINK MYSelf happy, KING AGRIPPA, BECAUSE I SHALL DISCOURSE THIS DAY BEFORE THEE; ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I KNOW THEE TO BE EXPERT IN ALL CUSTOMS AND QUESTIONS WHICH ARE AMONG THE JEWS; WHEREFORE I BESEECH THEE TO HEAR ME PATIENTLY, 666 THE AUTHOR. INTRODUCTION. THE effects of the zemindary settlement of Bengal will last as long as British rule in India; but already, well conceived ideas of the authors of that settlement seem to be nigh forgotten. They designed a permanent settlement for the ryot, of the same character, and under the same guarantee of its inviolability, as the permanent settlement for the zemindar, and they thought that they had effectually provided for such a settlement, at the rates of 1792, by the Regulations of 1793. Yet we find that in 1879 the Bengal Government has appointed a Committee to consolidate the substantive rent law, and to suggest amendments, as if a permanency of assessment had not been assured to the ryots in 1793 by the authors of the permanent settlement, and as if the rents paid by ryots in the present day were not already so much greater, indubitably, than the pergunnah rates, plus abwabs of 1792, as (at least) to assure to the ryots immunity from further enhancement of rent. 2. But the perverse fate of the authors of the zemindary settlement appears not alone in the mislaying of their brightest idea, viz., a permanent assessment for the ryot, but also in the disappointment of their hopes. They hoped much, on their views of the English landed system, from large estates; and laid too little stress on the well-being of peasant properties. In the present day, the happiest condition presented by any agricultural classes is that of the peasant proprietors in Europe; the most insecure and anxious condition is that of the landed proprietors in England; and poverty and indebtedness characterise the condition of the |