“But Theodoor!”
“But Edward!”—
“If the abuse of opium did not exist, then surely there would at once be an end of opium-farming. You will allow that I think?”
“Oh yes,” replied Grenits, “that sounds very plausible no doubt; but now supposing I were to retort by saying if there were no opium-monopoly then the abuse of the drug would never have assumed its present proportions? That does not perhaps sound so pleasant; but it is a statement which is more easily verified.”
“Oh yes, yes, we heard all about that last night; unfortunately however, the proof was not forthcoming.”
“Well,” said Grenits, “what does history say?”
“History,” replied the other, “what you call history is neither more nor less than the personal opinion and utterance of the historian. One man contends that Europeans brought opium into the country, and another holds a different view—so much for history.”
“But Edward, I hope you do not distrust the Council of India?”
“Well what does the Council say, Theodoor?”
“If my memory serves me, it says this, or words to this effect: ‘The opium monopoly has always been most anxiously watched by the Government as one of the most important sources of public revenue, and every means of enhancing the productiveness of that source of income has been most eagerly adopted.’ ”