There is every reason to believe that on his return Schwartz not only discharged his mission but exhorted the authorities to play their part with honesty and straightforwardness, and this was not perhaps a welcome or acceptable admonition. Of this remarkable visit not a record remains in the archives of the Company; possibly had such a faithful note been made it would have been a witness against the provocation and trickery which marred their administration. But Schwartz had done his duty and again he refused any personal advantage, even handing over to the Board at Madras the three hundred rupees given him by Hyder. All he would agree to was that an English orphan school might be built with some of it at Tanjore. Probably amongst the most distinguished of native rulers the name of Hyder Ali stands pre-eminent. He has been called the Napoleon of India, and considering his limitations as an Oriental, if only from the brilliance of his military tactics and personality among his armies, he may deserve that high comparison. It is easy to denounce him as a bloodthirsty tyrant, and much of his character justifies that condemnation, but he had other traits which in fairness must be remembered. He lived in an age and a country where duplicity in politics was the rule rather than the exception, yet it is to his credit that he kept his word with the English, who were not always equally considerate as regards their obligations with him. Mounted on his white elephant in his gaudy uniform of white satin and gold flowers, vain of display as all his fathers were, he was the idol of his troops, who were animated by the example of a man who had no fear and exposed himself to any risks in leading them to victory. The victim of sensuality, he yet kept his head clear for business, and though he could not read a word he dictated several letters at the same time and his marvellous memory kept him always in touch with the financial and political affairs of his kingdom. Schwartz has given us a picture of his court, and his interview represents Hyder in one of his best moods. He seemed a very Gallio in his religious views and used the Brahmin because it suited his purpose to be guided by the ablest and only educated men. There is no doubt he misled the pious Schwartz in letting him imagine that those boys were the objects of his charity and tender care. As a matter of fact, they simply represented his practice of carrying captive the young natives of any country which came into his hands. He was cruelly severe in his discipline and did not spare his own son when it was needed; his ferocity of revenge and his lust of plunder made him an unsparing enemy and an avaricious thief. And yet, as we have seen in his talk with Schwartz, there was a better side of him and he had a desire at least after truth and justice. It is quite a natural question, when reviewing such a character, to ask oneself what Hyder Ali might have been had he embraced the Christian faith.