Recollections of Westminster and India #263172

I have some things to tell which may be of general interest, and not feeling daunted by the consideration that a man who sits down to write his reminiscences might as well write his own epitaph. Probably I ought to begin by stating what are my qualifications for the task, and giving a short history of the preparation I went through to fit me for the work of becoming an active member and an observant critic of the Imperial Parliament. I frequently see myself spoken of as a retired anglo-indian who, having made a little money after a long period of service in the East, suddenly took a plunge into English public life. But as a matter of fact I have only spent twelve out of sixty-five years in India, though I have given close and constant study for very many years to Indian affairs. I had a very good training in England before I went to India.