History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

GENERAL SIR JAMES JOHNSTONE 291
neglected province. When the Rajah was of age the Agency, for economical
motives, was abolished, but the work he began smoothed the paths of the
missionaries who, a few years later, settled in those parts.
"Keonjur," says the Government Report of India for 1870-71, "continues
under the able administration of Captain Johnstone, who was mainly instrumental
in restoring the country to quiet three years ago." He superintended
the cultivation of flax and rice and proved it a success, and "at his own
expense formed a valuable herd of sixty cows and several young bulls " to
improve the native breed of cattle, and distributed them gratis when he left.
". . . Captain Johnstone's sacrifices for this end [education and civilisation],
and for his charge generally, are," wrote the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal in
1872, " His Honour believes almost unique."
Johnstone's education was begun by his able and accomplished mother,
and after a short time in the Classical Division of King Edward's School,
Birmingham, then containing 150 boys, he went to a military college in Paris.
As previously shown, the monastic system still clung to the old English
classical schools. In Birmingham, theology and the higher classics were well
taught in the Classical Division, but other science was optional or had to be
learnt at home, so the education was only useful to the sons of the gentry or
to those intended for the learned professions, particularly the clerical. But all
that is changed now. At that time young James was absorbed in astronomy.
He fitted up an old telescope of his father's with new glasses, and took nightly
observations from his bedroom window at the top of the house, and when only
thirteen discovered a new comet on its progress, not yet visible to the naked
eye. He wrote to the Astronomer-Royal, Mr J. W. Hinde, describing the
position in the heavens of the approaching star ; and the Astronomer, not
aware of the youth of his correspondent, replied in a few days—when it was
nearer—that Johnstone was perfectly correct as to where its place must have
been when he first saw it, although he had not observed it so soon himself.
Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills, by Major-General Sir James
Johnstone, K.C.S.I., published after his death, gives an account of his life there
as Political Agent. The bomb-proof residence which he built and the liveried
native servants he had trained, with the beautiful garden, were among the
inducements to the unfortunate Mr Grimwood to apply for the post. Johnstone
had twice borrowed the native army, and conducted it, by forced marches, for
the rescue of Europeans—first to the besieged town of Kohima, leading it
1 The printed Official Reports (1869-71) to the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal contain :
"Captain Johnstone hopes very shortly to be able to dispense with the greater part of the
Special Police Force at Keonjhur. He appears to take very great interest in his work, and
to be sanguine of success" (1870). His first official report "has much interesting matter
regarding the people, and shows that he has taken great pains in bringing them into the
present peaceable and apparently loyal condition. Nearly one half of Captain Johnstone's
time has been occupied in Khedda (catching wild elephants), operations which have been
successful and profitable to Government, and totally unconnected with that officer's duty in
Keonjhur. Of Captain Johnstone I cannot speak too highly ; his management has been
efficient, and he has exercised careful and constant supervision over the Rajah and his estate,
to the material improvement of both."