tural capabilities, he has formed his plans
methodically for the improvement of the country; not by any rash and
speculative outlay, but, step by step, he hopes to secure the
advancement of his schemes.

This is a work of time; he has much to do. The country is in an
uncivilized state; he sees the vestiges of past grandeur around him,
and his views embrace a wide field for the renewal of former
prosperity. Tanks must be repaired, canals reopened, emigration of
Chinese and Malabars encouraged, forests and jungles cleared, barren
land brought into fertility. The work of years is before him, but the
expiration of his term draws near. Time is precious, but nevertheless
he must refer his schemes to the Colonial Office. What do they know of
Ceylon? To them his plans seem visionary; at all events they will
require an outlay. A correspondence ensues--that hateful
correspondence! This ensures delay. Time flies; the expiration of his
term draws near. Even his sanguine temperament has ceased to hope; his
plans are not even commenced, to work out which would require years; he
never could see them realized, and his successor might neglect them and
lay the onus of the failure upon him, the originator, or claim the
merit of their success.

So much for a five years' term of governorship, the absurdity of which
is superlative. It is so entirely contrary to the system of management
in private affairs that it is difficult to imagine the cause that could
have given rise to such a regulation. In matters great or small, the
capability of the manager is the first consideration; and if this be
proved, the value of the man is enhanced accordingly; no employer would
lose him.

But in colonial governments the system is directly opposite, for no
sooner does the governor become competent than he is withdrawn and
transferred to another sphere. Thus every colony is like a farm held
on a short lease, which effectually debars it from improvement, as the
same feeling which actuates the individual in neglecting the future,
because he will not personally enjoy the fruits of his labor, must in
some degree fetter the enterprise of a five years' governor. He is
little better than the Lord Mayor, who flutters proudly for a year, and
then drops his borrowed feathers in his moulting season.

Why should not governors serve an apprenticeship for five years as
colonial secretaries to the colonies they are destined for, if five
years is still to be