30 AUGUST 1873, Page 3

The Indian Tenant-Right riots have extended to Bograh, so that

five counties are now in insurrection against the landlords, and we note a very significant feature in the affair. Lord North- brook has endorsed Sir G. Campbell's measures—that is, the orders prohibiting illegal ceases, instructing the peasantry in their rights, and "putting a stop to oppression in extreme cases." Unless the telegram to the Times, which is too short, contains an inaccuracy, this means that the Supreme Government of India, whose power is quite irresistible, has elected to side with the peo- ple and against the Zemindars. This brings the whole force of the Legislature to bear against the Zetnindars, and will produce& war of words, to begin with, to which all Indian discussions have been a trifle. The Government has,we believe, taken the right path, but there is great risk that the peasantry, convinced that the Sovereign is with them, will insist on paying their rent into the Collector's office. Under those circumstances, the whole social system of Bengal will go to pieces, and have to be recon- structed. It is exactly as if we had dismissed the Irish Squires with a quit-rent, and told them to live in the cities.