"حياة ومراسلات اللواء السير جون مالكوم، قائد فرسان وسام الطُهر، المبعوث السابق إلى بلاد فارس وحاكم بومباي؛ من رسائل ومذكرات غير منشورة. في مجلّدين. المجلد II." [‎٣‎٤‎٨] (٦٥٤/٣٦٥)

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CENTRAL INDIA.
and the sweet disposition of Charles Tlieophilus Met
calfe.
How strongly Malcolm felt, both regarding the evil to
be combated and the perils which beset Metcalfe's path,
may be gathered from the following letter, written after
they had parted, which I cannot refrain from quoting
before I dismiss the subject:
sir john malcolm to mr. metcalfe.
October 20, 1821.
M y dear M etcalfe,— I have received your letter of the 8th
instant. As far as your proceedings relate to the loans made and
recommended, you are upon a rock; but it is melancholy to find
such sentiments in the quarter to which you have alluded. They
will do infinite mischief, though only for a short period. Every
step you take to ameliorate the country will be misrepresented by
fellows who have objects as incompatible with public virtue and
good government as light is from darkness. That these men
should be allowed to speak a word upon subjects such as you
have to discuss and manage is deplorable. But the fact is so;
and though the circumstances in which you are placed require all
your firmness, recollect, at the same time, they call for all your
caution and prudence, and, above all, for great temper and pa
tience. These qualities I should never ask you to exercise in any
extraordinary degree for selfish views; were your personal inte
rests alone at stake, I know you might give way to the spirit of
an offended gentleman and high public officer. That is supposing
matters at extreme; but you have a more momentous duty to
perform. You have to fight the good fight, and to stand with
the resolute but calm feelings such a cause must inspire against
all species of attacks that artful and sordid men can make, or that
weak or prejudiced men can support. I may view this question
too seriously, but there is no harm in my doing so. I am quite
confident in your ultimate triumph, though I expect you will
have great vexation and annoyance. I am glad I proceed to
England so fully informed as I am upon the subject, and pray
write me often. Send your letters after November to my brother.
Yours ever,
J ohn Malcolm.