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Association headed by the late Mr. W. S. Caine. He saw me at the Bengalee office during one of his visits to India, and said to me, 'You have done the spade work. A final kick is all that is needed. We will help you in that'—and he put forward his leg as if in the act of kicking. In response to our appeal, the Government deputed Mr. Westmacott, who was then Magistrate of Howrah, to enquire into the Outstill System in the Hughli district. He held meetings and took evidence. I was present at some of them, and helped him in the investigation. As the result of the enquiry, the system was abolished, and the poorer classes in the Hughli district were saved from the grip of a terrible scourge.

Many years have passed since then; but I look back upon my efforts in this connexion as among the most pleasant memories of my life. It was indeed hard, rough work—tramping along trackless areas, living in malarial countries, and eating strange food. On one occasion I found a big centipede, which of course was dead, in the curry served out to me with dinner. But, being hungry, I ate the curry, of course without the centipede, and cannot say that I felt the worse for it, or that I dreamt of it at night. But these are little troubles that are a part of the game, and when recounted may serve to amuse and delight friends. Nevertheless it was work instructive to a degree, for it brought me into close touch with the peasant life of Bengal and helped to broaden my outlook and my sympathies. For me it was an education that proved highly useful.