This is a facsimile of the 1896 memoirs of Major General Sir James Johnstone (1841-1896) who spent 28 years serving the British government in India. The memoirs describe his 1877-1890 period in Manipur, a troubled area on the India/Burma border. Johnstone had both military and civil responsibilities and he offers many insights into the problems and processes of the imperial government. He must have had some rare qualities- a strong intellect and a respectful attitude to local people and customs - but while he received honours, he was not the last administrator to write of his sadness that higher authority often makes decisions without reference to local knowledge. Index.