A History of the Mahrattas v1.c27.45

v1.c27.45

At the court of Poona the principal affairs of administration continued under the management of Sewdasheo Rao Bhow. His able coadjutor, Ramchundur Baba Shenwee, had been dead for four or five years, and his wealth, which was great, had been left at the disposal of the Bhow, who appropriated one-third for charitable and religious purposes, and shared the remainder equally with the son of the deceased. Sewdasheo Rao was violent and avaricious, but active and vigorous; and though proud and unbending in his character, he had a large share of good nature and of good sense. He was corrupt; but not in the opinion of his countrymen, for with them to take money for assistance or support in a good cause is legitimate and avowed; a principle which, if tolerated on whatever pretence in any public officer of a government, must soon spread universal peculation, bribery, and misrule.