106 MAJOR W. HODSON. 



. . . But the event to me was my introduction 

 to Sir Charles Napier, and a ' big talk ' I had with 

 him. I have been long looking forward to this, 

 and was much pleased. ... I am writing against 

 time, as I am going to dine with Sir C. Napier en 

 fannilley ^ 



In the first days of 1850 Hodson was staying 

 with the Lawrences for change of air at Lahore. 

 " I go into camp to-morrow," he writes on the 5th, 

 "for the same object, and hope at length to shake 

 off the effects of my long ailings. It is three months 

 since I mounted a horse, and that in India, and in 

 this beautiful climate, where one ought to be in the 

 saddle half the day, I am thoroughly weary of 

 contemplating four white walls and a white roof. 

 The bare barn-like rooms, without curtains, colour, 

 or ornaments, do so weary one's eyes after a few 

 weeks' constant confinement. Commend me to a 

 camp life, even though you could not leave your 

 tent without being shot at ! Sir C. Napier is 

 coming out very strong, and routing people up 

 amazingly. . . . He is frightened, as he well may 

 be, at the fearful want of discipline in the native 

 army. . . . Sir Henry talks of our making a tour 

 together among the wilds of the Punjab." 



It was at this time that Hodson made or renewed 

 the acquaintance with William Arnold, the youngest 

 and not least gifted son of Rugby's famous head- 

 master. In the young ensign of a native infantry 

 regiment, the future author of ' Oakfield,' Hodson 

 found a companion suited to his own scholarly 

 tastes, and responsive to his more thoughtful moods. 



1 The hero of Miani had just succeeded Lord Gough as com- 

 mander-in-chief. 



