"The gallant officer had alluded to the late addition made to the vast territory of the East India Company. _It was just possible_ that that territory had _at that moment_ received a further and important increase. _It is just possible,_ that since he (Sir John Hobhouse) last met the Directors at the festive board--now about six months since--the Government of India _has been enabled to make an addition to its territory, the vast consequences of which could scarcely be imagined in the wildest dream of fancy_, and which for centuries would be of advantage to the empire!!! In the history of the world there was no instance of yearly sovereigns (as the Directors of the Company were) having conquered so vast a territory as that of India. There was no instance of such successive success. To them the happiness belonged of giving to the vast country under their control the blessing of education. It was owing to God's ministering hand, by which successive Directions had sprung up to spread the benefits of light and knowledge in India, and among a people enshrouded in darkness and idolatry. It was scarcely a hundred years ago since the power of the East India Company was felt in India; their banners were now flying from the Indus to the Burrampooter. He would say emphatically, go on in the great work of extending the religion, civilization, and education of India; for the wishes of the good are with you--go on in your great work, for the sake of India, and Great Britain itself."