i.] ANTECEDENTS. 59
Among its characteristics are an active interest
in public matters, and an administrative
aptitude.
There have been men of eminence in genera¬
tions previous to those mentioned below.
First generation.—Sir Henry Strachey, under¬
secretary of state, and otherwise employed in
high official posts in India, America, and
England ; real negotiator of Peace of Versailles
(Stanhope’s “ History of England ”) ; received
medal of Society of Arts for having introduced
indigo into Florida.
Second generation.—3 males, 1 female, of
whom 2 males deserve notice :—(1) Sir Henry
Strachey, Indian judge, called by James Mill, in
his “ History of India,” “ the wisest of the
Company’s servants ; ” aided much in the organi¬
zation of the Indian judicial administration ;
(2) Edward Strachey, author of reports of
acknowledged weight on Indian judicial subjects
(Vth Beport).
Third generation.—6 males and 1 female, of
whom 3 males deserve notice :—(1) Sir John
Strachey, eminent in all branches of civil