ented the King in the Government's relations
with the East India Company. Macaulay, being the strongest man on the
Board, was naturally chosen its secretary, just as the best man in a jury
is chosen foreman. Here was a man who was not content to be a mere
figurehead in office, trusting to paid clerks and underlings to secure him
information and do the work--not he. Macaulay set himself the task of
thoroughly acquainting himself with Indian affairs. He read every book of
importance bearing on the subject; and studied the record and history of
every man of consequence who was or had been connected with India. His
intensely practical, businesslike mind sifted every detail, intuitively
separating the relevant from the inconsequential, so that within a few
months older heads were going to him for information, just as in a store
or shop there is always one man who knows where things are, and in times
of doubt he is the man who is sought out. To the many it is so much easier
to ask some one else than to find out for themselves; and it also shifts
the responsibility, and gives one a chance, if necessary, to prove a
halibi--goodness gracious!

One feature of the Reform Bill provided that one of the members of the
Supreme Council of India should be chosen from among persons not connected
in any way with the East India Company.

This membership of the Supreme Council was a most important office, and
carried with it the modest salary of ten thousand pounds a year--fifty
thousand dollars--double what the President of the United States then
received.

Macaulay had had no hand in creating this office, and indeed, at the time
the Reform Bill was being gotten into shape, his interest in Indian
affairs had only been casual. But now he was recognized as the one man for
the new office, and the office sought the man.

Comparatively, Macaulay was a poor man, and the acceptance of the office
for the term of six years would place him for the rest of his life beyond
the reach of want. He could live royally and retire at forty years of age,
with at least thirty thousand pounds to his credit. And yet he hesitated
about accepting the office. His far-reaching eye told him that an exile
for six years from England would place him out of touch with things at
home, and that the greater office to which he aspired would be beyond his
grasp. Besides that, the fact would always be brought up that his reward
for well-doing had been enough, just as we hav