1 APPENDIX — JUSTICE. 195
2 of a conquered country, by the impression of his acquaint-
3 ance with, and seeming^ regard to their peculiarities and
4 propensities, and in the superintendence and manage-
5 ment of their concerns, to know the bents by which he
6 may seize and work upon them. To touch upon such
7 feelings without giving offence, demands on all occa-
8 sions, the exercise of discretion, temper, and judgment :
9 but when successfully done, it is easy by a kindly manner
10 and persuasive address, to lead the misguided and
11 ignorant from error and antiquated usages, to appreciate
12 the advantages attendant on intellectual improvement,
13 and the benefits resulting from science and moral feeling.
14 In the Sikh States, the administration of civil and cri-
15 minal justice is vested in the Sirdar, or chief. Crimes
16 and trespasses, as in the middle ages, are atoned for by
17 money : the fines are unlimited by any rule, and generally
18 levied arbitrarily according to the means of the offender,
19 whose property is attached, and his family placed under
20 restraint to enforce payment. These amerciaments form
21 a branch of revenue to the chief, and a fruitful source
22 of peculation to his ofiicers, who too frequently have
23 recourse to the most harsh and cruel means to elicit
24 confessions, and extort money for real or imaginary
25 offences. He who gains his point, pays his Shookurana,
26 or present of gratitude, and he who is cast, pays his
27 Jureemana, or penalty. The wealthy may secure jus-
28 tice, but the indigent are likely to obtain something less.
29 The larger the bribe the more chance of success. A case
30 where the right is clear and undeniable, is often allowed
31 to lie over, that the present may be augmented. All
32 officers under the chief, and employed by him in districts
33 and departments, follow his example ; but are ultimately
34 2 A 2