"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." [‎٤‎٦‎٩] (٦٥٤/٤٨٦)

CANNING AND MALCOLM.
469
have not had any communication since Sir Thomas Munro's
resignation was known.
I am, my dear Sir, very sincerely,
Your obedient and humble servant,
G eorge C anning.
To this letter an answer was promptly sent in the fol
lowing words:
sir john malcolm to mr. canning.
Hyde Hall, Sawbridgeworth, April 35, 1824.
M y dear S ir,— I have this moment received your letter of the
22nd instant. As I have been for some time in the country, and
do not take in the Morning Chronicle, it was by accident that I
two days ago saw the article to which you allude.* 5 .... It gave
me much vexation; I must ever hate praise that is coupled with
injustice to the character, and misrepresentation of the feelings and
conduct of others. That is so completely the case in some parts
of the article, that I felt a consolation in errors which made it im
possible to ascribe the contribution to any one who had correct
knowledge, or was in the least acquainted with my sentiments.
My first impression was to take some steps that might evince my
feelings; but, on reflection, I viewed it as one of those articles in
which the name of an individual was introduced as a vehicle for
party attacks, and concluded it was better to let it die, like a
thousand others of similar character, of neglect.
I left town immediately after the levee, in order to avoid mixing
myself in any discussion respecting the succession to the Indian
Government, and I abstained from every word or act that could
aggravate the irksome situation in which I find myself; and it was-
my earnest desire that every one of my friends should do the same»
But such a line of conduct forms no check on the folly or mischief
of men, who are alike reckless of benefit or injury to others, pro
vided their party purposes are answered.
* A few lines are omitted, because, which I have ever experienced on all
owing to the inaccuracy of the copyist, occasions when I nave nad omciai
the passage is obscure. It concludes, personal intercourse with you.
however, by speaking of " a kindness
1 ill