Lord William’s religious feeling was profound, though his views were not altogether orthodox, but there are some dogmatic doubts while leading us away from the altar bring us nearer to the Throne. Aristippus tells us “Good cheer is no hindrance to a good life.” His lordship agreed with this founder of Hedonistic philosophy, but I doubt if he had been asked to put down in black and white what his religious convictions were, whether he could have clearly defined them, any more than a great number of people could. It would be good for us all if we had to put our faiths and beliefs into writing, but what confused and contradictory statements they would make, and how annoyed we should be if anybody dared to say so to us. Faith and reason unfortunately will not walk kindly hand in hand, and Lord William felt that amid the latter-day clash of theories, new fields of thought were being opened to us, thoroughly recognising how some of the old moth-eaten shibboleths, we have so often repeated, have prevented us forming unbiased judgments. He maintained that ancient religions had no creeds but were fed and brought up, so to speak, on institutions and facts. Faith is not peculiar to Christianity, it is the ordinary characteristic of the highly developed religions. Lord Bill always said he felt it was possible to be a good Christian without being a theologian. I think “good Christian” exactly describes Lord Bill, yet how hard it is to define a good Christian when ideals among Christians differ so greatly in different countries and ages. St. Ethelreda was canonised for never washing; this was not Lord Bill’s Christianity, though I have known some people who certainly qualified, but as far as I know, have as yet, had no justice displayed towards them. Then again St. Onofries was called a saint because he disappeared into the desert seeing nobody and doing nothing (so he said), but this saint does not matter at the present moment; what does matter is the extreme difficulty we all find in locating the middle distance between two points, when the points do not stand still.
Lord William had his faults in common with the rest of us, but not many can comfort themselves with the belief that they have done as many kindly acts. He may not always have been aware of the amount of good he did, for kindly acts towards ourselves make us kindly to others, thereby forming a common good. That the happiness of everybody depends to a certain extent on the forbearance and help of others was part of Lord Bill’s religion. His charities, which were many, were not of the order that creates multitudes of sins, but covered them up, often, and helped those who had made grievous mistakes, to begin afresh.
The nice little church at Simla used to echo with the sound of Lord William’s clinking spurs as he walked up the aisle. One Sunday when he was carrying round the collection plate, he halted in front of a canny old colonel whose careful habits had made him decline to subscribe towards the Annandale Races, which had annoyed Lord Bill, so he held the plate, whispering audibly, “It’s Zenana this time, not Gymkhana!”
The scene outside this church on Sundays and high days was curious, as in the hills everybody rode to church, or came in hand-carried or drawn equipages. When all the rank and fashion had entered the building the syces with the many ponies congregated for a smoke and chatter. The men who ran with the rickshaws and jampans after their kind, followed suit, arranging their carriages in neat rows. The owners usually dressed their carriers and runners in some distinctive livery. One would have, say, claret-coloured coat, cut fairly long, hanging square over the draped loin cloths which are worn instead of trousers; only the head man indulged in this form of civilisation. This combination of coat and loin cloth finished off with possibly a yellow cumberbund twisted round their waists, and yellow puggeries round their heads. Others would have brown and blue, and so on, only the Viceregal party using scarlet, the many colours of the liveries and the grouping of the natives and their charges forming a picturesque foreground to the church, though very unusual to the mind of the everyday English church-going community.
There were several matters occupying Lord William’s mind at this time. The enlargement of the Annandale racecourse for one; this was a great undertaking and a considerable expense which will be readily understood, as big ravines had to be filled in and levelled as well as portions of hills removed. His lordship subscribed handsomely towards it himself, and some of the native princes, who were always ready to help him in his endeavours for the good or pleasure of the community, came to the fore also, subscribing liberally. While the alterations were being carried out the usual races and sports were taking place, tent-pegging, tilting at the ring, riding one pony while leading another over the jumps, rickshaw races, which proved highly exciting for the occupants, and mirth-provoking to the on-lookers.
The building of the new Viceregal Lodge or Government House also occupied a good deal of time, Lord Dufferin supervising and directing. I have often wondered what the natives must have thought when they had to build white-tiled kitchens and bath-rooms, and still more what they felt when called upon to use a correct up-to-date kitchen equipment.
I well remember when first I arrived in India being full of high-flown ideas of revolutionising the cooking and cook-house system. I was warned not to interfere, but to eat what was placed before me and leave well alone; however, I was full of ardour and proceeded to the cook-house to inspect the cooking-pots and arrange everything to my liking. My splendid theories were doomed to instant death. My experiences were such that for days I was without appetite and never again had the pluck to face the cook-house. That was long ago, no doubt now the natives have learnt to live up to and appreciate modern luxuries.
Last, but by no means least, came Lady Dufferin’s scheme for the benefit of Indian women. The Queen had asked Her Excellency just before leaving for India to see what could be done to provide proper medical aid and nursing for native women, who from their traditional faiths and customs were unable to avail themselves of the knowledge and help of men doctors. Lord William was very enthusiastic about the work which was interesting Lady Dufferin, who, with her usual thoroughness, soon placed it on firm feet. There was so much to be considered; first of all the question of finance, still more difficult the inherited traditional prejudices to be overcome in conjunction with the superstitions and ignorance of the people of India. For generations the appalling loss of life through ignorance in the East had been regarded with the hebetude of fatalism. Nevertheless in 1885 the work was begun under the mouth-filling title of “The Countess of Dufferin’s National Association for supplying female medical aid for the women of India.” It is well to take a good long breath before starting on this impressive title.
Considering that the undertaking entailed the collecting of the necessary funds, suitable places being found for the hospitals and dispensaries, women to be trained as doctors, midwives, and hospital assistants, and that each and all had to be under the superintendence of or in the working hands of women for the treatment of their own sex and children, it is really remarkable that it was so soon in more or less working order, and speaks volumes for Lady Dufferin’s energy and for the help of her co-workers.
I remember Lord William saying it would have a more far-reaching civilising influence in the country than any other measure hitherto contemplated. That these women doctors and nurses have been zealous and capable is proved by the work that has been done. In 1901, that is in six years, 1,755,734 patients passed through their hands, the increase between the years 1895 and 1900 being 88,000, the whole of this treatment having been carried out by forty fully qualified lady doctors called 1st grade, 322 surgeons, 2nd grade, meaning they had been taught in India and held that country’s qualifications, and 175 hospital assistants and helpers called 3rd grade.