18'i6.] Tile Kings Troops in India. 269 



cling ripple of the waves lessening at each undulation as it recedes 

 from the centre of agitation. Yet in spite of this well-ascertained truth, 

 they are even now, and at the deepest hazard, straining at farther con- 

 quests. Disclaimers are idle ; from the very beginning of their suc- 

 cesses the same disclaimers have been made — but facts belie them. If 

 conquests had indeed been " thrust upon them", at any hour they 

 might have flung them back to their prostrate foes. But what then are 

 they to do ? Forthwith make peace on the best terms they are able and 

 shun wars for the future ; contract rather than enlarge their boundaries ; 

 conciliate their subjects, and let the ponderous sceptre fall gently on 

 them ; encourage European colonists ; eniancipate the half-caste ; pre- 

 serve a steady dignity ; throw the veil of reserve over their weakness, 

 not expose their necessities — and certainly not, as they are now doing, 

 borrow of the native princes. 



But, above all, they must strengthen their military force : all depends 

 on the demonstration of arms. Commercial gain was their original 

 object ; that is become a secondary consideration. Gain is still the sole 

 object, but not commercial ; it is now territorial gain — contributions 

 exacted by the law of conquest, and enforceable only by arms. The 

 army then is the single instrument by which alone their power can be 

 exerted, and their purpose accomplished. To the improvement and 

 efficiency then of the instrument ought the full force of their abilities to 

 be directed. Not that the importance of this matter has escaped them ; 

 but we may be allowed to wonder at the little wisdom they exhibit in 

 the management of this delicate agency. Of what real consequence is 

 the civil department compared with the military ? Yet we see these 

 departments actually reversed in the scale of superiority. To keep 

 military establishments in subordination to the civil, in governments of 

 some regularity and legitimacy, is all very well ; but to attempt the 

 same thing, or rather to keep them distinct from each other, in the 

 realms of usurpation, is the grossest mistake that ever was made by 

 calculating animals. Every possible encouragement should be given ; 

 every excitement to the activity of the profession should be furnished — 

 emolument, place, power, precedency, liberally bestowed, and in a 

 growing ratio, upon the soldier. But what is the fact in India ? 

 The writer is the master, and the cadet the servant. The officer is cast 

 in humble subserviency at the feet of the greatness of the civil 

 executive. 



The bulk of the Company's army consists of the material of the 

 country, officered solely by their own servants. Wonderfully faithful 

 have been these Indian troops ; but still occasions are liable to arise that 

 must shake both their fidelity and the confidence of their masters. A 

 natural leaning to the native princes may be supposed still to lurk 

 among them : and any hour almost may tempt them suddenly to desert 

 their colours, or turn them against their employers. To provide against 

 these perilous events, a portion of the King's troops are lent them — ■ 

 British troops, both officers and men. On these a perfect reliance may 

 be placed ; these may, at any time, be armed against the restive sepoy, 

 as recently we have seen them. 



These troops, these praetorian bands, it will of course be supposed, 

 are munificently dealt with. On them all the security — if security there 

 can be — of the Company's dominion depends. No gratification, in their 

 power to bestow, is of course withheld. They are nobly remunerated, 



