212 HOPES DEFERRED. 



the Meer's hopes of justice began to droop, 

 though his fidelity remained unshaken. Such 

 was the line of conduct pursued towards an 

 old and much-devoted ally, — a line of conduct 

 quite umvorthy of a great Government, and 

 as impolitic as unjust. More especially im- 

 politic too at a time when fidelity in a native 

 prince, under the vast temptations that beset 

 him during the insurrection in India, was a 

 rare virtue, and certainly entitled all those 

 who were staunch at that fearful crisis to the 

 highest consideration. I remained with Meer 

 Ali Moorad till a medical officer certified that 

 to continue longer in that fearful climate might 

 cost me my life. It was that climate of which 

 Sir Charles Napier says, '^ I am wasting life in 

 this climate of death ; it dries up the European 

 frame like the sand of the desert." Two and 

 a half years have now elapsed since Meer Ali 

 Moorad quitted England, and nothing has yet 

 been settled regarding his case. Some of his 

 friends are thus led to suppose that sinister 

 influences have been at work in the Supreme 

 Council to obstruct the course of justice. Such 

 things have occurred before, and ]\leer Ali 

 Moorad has never been a favourite with the 



